Five things about cat and dog paws that you didn’t know

Here at Cheeky Little Prints, we’re fascinated by your furry pals’ paws. Not just because we can transform their prints into adorable gifts and keepsakes, but because they’re an incredible part of a cat or dog’s anatomy.

Don’t believe us? Here are five amazing facts about your pet’s paws:

They help with balance

Can you imagine trying to travel over different surfaces in your bare feet? Cats and dogs need to have good balance to be able to successfully run and jump over all sorts of the terrain, and their paws act as natural shock absorbers to keep them stable and protect their bones and ligaments.

They’re made of tough stuff

Although they may look like normal skin, your pet’s paws develop a protective layer through a process called keratinisation. This layer acts as a natural shoe, so they can walk on rough surfaces without damaging their paws.

They can have an unexpected scent

Ever sniffed your pets’ paws and got a whiff of popcorn or digestive biscuits? This natural odour is the result of (completely unharmful) bacteria that lives on the surface of their skin.

Cats have a dominant paw

According to research, most felines display a preference for their right or left paw. A study by Ireland’s Queen’s University also found that your cat’s dominant paw could be linked to their gender – males favoured their right paw, while female cats tended to be left-pawed.

Dogs enjoy paw massages

If you’ve been on your feet all day, there’s nothing more relaxing than a soothing massage, and it turns out dogs feel the same. Rubbing your canine’s paws will help soothe them, and massaging the areas in between their pads can improve their circulation. It’s also great for bonding.

Now next time you look at your pet’s paw print, you’ll be able to see just how fascinating they are!

Why not capture your own pet’s unique paw print with our easy to use, inkless paw print kits? Find out more here!