The anatomy of cats is full of particularities that make these animals one of the most skilled in existence. In addition to having great vision and hearing, they also move very well. This is because the cat's paws have a very powerful bone and muscle structure that is also full of functions. It is with the paw that the cat can, in addition to walking in a very thorough way, defend itself,jumping, feeding and, believe it or not, even communicating.

Because of this, it is an area that the guardian needs to pay attention to and take care of to prevent any type of wound from appearing on the cat's paw or more serious problems. After all, as you have already noticed, the cat's paws are fundamental and very necessary parts for the pet. Therefore, we have gathered a series of information and curiosities about cats for those who love the particularities of the species.

The cat's paw is very strong and resilient: learn about its main parts

The bones in a cat's paws are very long and are the only parts that touch the ground while the animal is walking. This means that cats are always walking on their tiptoes. This is why humans hardly ever notice a cat approaching - consequently they get a fright. In addition to facilitating their locomotion and allowing cats to jump high, the anatomy of the cat's paw enhancesThis makes them fast, balanced and good climbers. To better understand how the cat's foot works, you need to understand that the limb is divided into a few parts:

• Metacarpal and Carpal Coaxim:

If we compare it to a human hand, we can say that we are talking about the "cat's wrist and palm". They work as a kind of brake, protecting the feline from slipping or even getting off balance. It turns out to be a very useful defense "tool" at times when cats are running or jumping from one place to another. Probably a skill inherited from theirsancestors fleeing from larger predators.

• Cushions

Any self-respecting cat fancier knows this part well. After all, it is impossible not to squeeze the cat's pads while you are petting it. We can say that these are the "toes" of a cat. In addition to being the place where they hide their claws, they are the cushions that cushion and help with the impact of running, jumping and falling. In other words, this is the area responsible for protecting the entire structure of the paw.Because it is so fundamental, it is important to keep an eye out for any change in color or texture as it may mean some kind of wound or injury.

• Claws

The claws are nothing more than the cat's nails, which they use to defend themselves and, if necessary, attack more defenseless prey. Although they are fundamental for felines, they need special care, mainly to prevent the animal from hurting itself or the guardian. The indicated is to cut the claws of the rear paw every 30 days and those of the front paw every 15 days. In addition,it is indispensable to have a cat scratching post at home, as this is a very important instinctive behavior for the species.

• Spur

If cats had a thumb, it would definitely be the spur. Besides also having a claw, this is the part of the cat's paw that allows it to hold food and other objects, such as toys. However, it is worth mentioning that the spur is only found on the feline's front paw - which only adds to the feeling that it is indeed a thumb.

How many toes does a cat have? See some curiosities about the cat's paw

Anyone who thinks that a cat's paw is only used to make it easier for it to move around and to protect it from possible falls or attacks is mistaken. In fact, it is also with their paws that cats communicate. This communication takes place because it is in the pads that the cat's sweat glands are located. Yes, cats sweat through their paws. In addition, the pet's sweat has a very characteristic smell thatThis is why cats make the famous "kneading" movement, a way of marking their territory through sweat.

Many people also wonder how many toes a cat has and the truth is that this varies according to the paws. As mentioned before, the front paws have five, while the back paws have only four toes. However, although the back paws have fewer toes, they are longer and allow for a greater impulse when the cat jumps. That is why cats can jumpEven so, it is worth mentioning that there are also six-toed cats. This happens because of a "genetic problem" called polydactyly, which causes the feline to be born with six or even more toes. And contrary to what many think, this genetic error even improves the feline's life, bringing more balance, for example.

Do you have to clean the cat's paw?

Although domestic cats do not have the habit of walking on the street like dogs, this does not mean that the guardian does not need to clean the paws of the pussycat. After all, even if the house where the cat lives is very clean, the feline has very close contact with its feces and urine every time it uses the litter box. Because of this, there is an accumulation of dirt and therefore the paws must be cleaned with a cleaner.certain frequency to avoid the appearance of fungus on the cat's paw and other problems.

The simplest way to clean your cat's paws is to wet them with warm water to eliminate that first layer of dirt that gets clumped on the sole of the paw. Then, with a damp cloth, continue cleaning the entire area of the paw and also between the animal's toes. This is the time to observe if there is no bruise, redness or even pus in the area. When a cat appears with a woundon the paw is a sign that the pet has an allergy or infection. In this case, seek veterinary advice immediately.

It is also important to keep an eye on the dryness of the pads. To apply a cat moisturizer, it is important to sanitize the pet's paws beforehand. Although some cat owners do not consider moisturizer to be a fundamental item, the product can be useful if the guardian notices the appearance of some spots or sores in the paw area. After all, even among cats that live indoors, there is still thehabit of running and jumping even in moments of play. For guardians who have very active and agitated pets, the moisturizer can contribute to the physical health of the animal. That is, it will prevent dryness from becoming something more serious.

This type of product for the cat's paw is intended to protect the pads of the feline, the most exposed part and which also serves to cushion impacts. Even without the habit of walking on the street, the cat's paws can become dry. In fact, hot or very cold days also contribute to the dryness of the paws However, the cat moisturizer needs to be of veterinary use andindicated for the specific species.

How to cut your cat's nails?

And how to cut the cat's nail ? Although the claws serve as a defense mechanism, it is very important to keep the nails trimmed to prevent the cat from hurting himself, scratching the guardian or even other cats who live with him. In addition, felines have a habit of scratching furniture and other objects because it is in this way that he sharpens his claws and de-stresses himself. That is to say, one more reason forkeeping your kitten's nails trimmed: avoiding destruction of your own home.

Although some cats are naturally more skittish, this is a possible activity to do at home. There are several nail clippers for cats with very affordable prices. The only care that the tutor needs to take is not to cut the cob - or dermis -, the region near the surface of the nail where the pet's nerve endings pass. Only the keratin region, which covers the nail, is cut.If the owner makes a very deep cut and accidentally reaches the barb, it will cause the animal to feel pain accompanied by bleeding. That is why it is very important to have a specific accessory for trimming the cat's nails. Even so, if the owner does not feel confident, just take the pet to a petshop to perform the procedure.