Mar 05, 2025 00:00:00

Why do cats have squishy paws?

The paw pads on the bottom of cats' paws are adorable and have a squishy feel that has captivated many pet owners. Live Science, a science media outlet, explains why such paw pads exist.

Why do cats have 'toe beans'? | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/why-do-cats-have-toe-beans

There are many things to love about cats, from their cute faces to their fluffy tails, but one of the most popular features is their paws. In English, they are also called 'toe beans' because they resemble beans, and there are even forums on the Internet for paw lovers.

The answer to the question of why cats have paw pads is related to tens of millions of years of evolutionary history. In the first place, cats are not the only animals with paw pads; many carnivorous mammals, including dogs, wolves, bears, raccoons, and otters, have paw pads, so the real question to consider is, 'Why do these animals have paw pads?'

According to

Jonathan Losos, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Washington and author of the book The Cat's Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa , paw pads probably evolved when the first carnivorous mammals appeared about 50 million years ago. 'It's a trait that's been around for ages, and I suspect all animals have paw pads for the same purpose,' Losos said.

One of the main functions of cat paws is to help them land gently when running, jumping, or jumping from high places. Losos explained that the paws act as shock absorbers , allowing cats to jump from high places without getting hurt.

Cat paws are made of fatty tissue bound to collagen, giving them a squishy, springy feel that helps absorb shock. A 2019 study of the structure of domestic cat paws found that when compressed, the paws become hard and act as a cushion when landing. It was also confirmed that at the cellular level, paws are filled with oval-shaped pockets of fat, which prevent instability when landing. This cushioning has led scientists to use the structure of paws to create shoes for paratroopers who parachute from aircraft.

In addition to absorbing shock when landing from a high place, paws also provide the right amount of friction to prevent slipping. Without paws, cats and dogs would not be able to run around as fast as they do because their furry soles would slip.

Cat paws are also known to have sensitive sensations similar to human fingertips: Certified Animal Behavior Consultant

Amy Shojai told Live Science in an email that cats can sense subtle differences in temperature between touch points and are sensitive to different surface textures.

One surprising feature of cat paws is that they are the only place cats sweat other than their noses. This is true for many other carnivores, too. 'You might notice that your cat's paw prints are wet when it's overly stressed,' Shojai said.

In addition, the color of a cat's paw pads basically reflects the color of its fur, with cats with dark fur having black or brown paw pads and cats with light fur having pinkish paw pads.

Shojai said cats' paws serve a vital function, so if you notice any problems like discoloration, swelling or extreme dryness, it's time to take your cat to the vet. 'Overall, the scientific findings suggest that paws are a feat of evolution, honed over millions of years to optimize cats' hunting and survival abilities,' Live Science said.