Well, I love cats’ paws. As I say in the infographic they are deadly and delightful. They are soft and gentle when at rest but deadly when the cat wants to use their claws because it happens so fast and the claws are so damned sharp as they are sharpened all the time by sloughing off the outer sheath. Domestic cats don’t like their human caregiver fiddling with their claws. Mine certainly doesn’t. He sometimes retracts them when and if I gently place my finger or hand on his forepaws. I think this is a defensive response. He wants them free and ready for action ??.
Claws and teeth are effective weapons when combined with lighting reflexes and powerful, fast twitch muscles. It depends how you see claws. I see beauty in anatomy but I have a lot for respect for them for obvious reasons. Many millions of Americans fear cats’ claws which is why they have them removed surgically in an operation that mutilates the entire paw as it is a partial amputation not a ‘declawing’ as such. God I hate declawing. It is so brutally unfair on the cat and so unnecessary. It is born out of fear. Far better to tackle that fear and learn to avoid the claw. Enough on that topic as it probably irritates some people.
As you know, cats mark territory in various ways one of which is to scratch trees and other vertical objects to leave scrap marks and scent on the object from the interdigital glands of the paws.
Below are some more articles on paws.
Do cats accept the touching or petting of their paws?
Infographic on the reasons why cats scratch armchairs
12 facts about the digitigrade foot posture of cats
Cat paw prints – clipart, photos, info.
What is a cat with extra toes called?
Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.