cats generally don't like others to touch or hold their paws. But some cats trust their owners very much, and they may not care too much about paws. However, the truth is that most cats don't like people touching their paws.
Why don’t cats like people touching their paws?
cats' paws (actually called "meat pads") are often exposed, especially when they are relaxed. When you pass by the cat, you can easily touch their pads. At this time, most cats will show slight discomfort or strong resistance. Why?
Cat’s mats are very sensitive.
In fact, cats’ mats have a wealth of nerve receptors, which allow cats to detect vibrations from the ground and changes in specific textures. It is these neuroreceptors that make the cat's mats extremely sensitive. The
cat’s pad can recognize changes in temperature, pressure and texture. It will tell the cat when to stretch its paws and when to squeeze it. The
meat pad is also a shock absorber, which makes the cat seldom make a noise when walking. On the other hand, there are sweat glands on the meat pad, which is the only place where cats can sweat. Sweat glands can help cats regulate body temperature and prevent hyperthermia.
touches the sensitive organs of cats, of course they will be very uncomfortable. Even a simple touch or a light squeeze can cause pain to the cat. You think that the light intensity may be more than ten times larger for the cat's feeling.
Cats use their paws to protect themselves. Holding a cat's scratch will prevent cats from protecting themselves.
Cats are born predators. Although they have become domestic cats, they still think in the way of predators.
cats have great hunting skills, and their self-protection consciousness is very, very strong. When cats hunt, their paws send information to the brain to tell them whether the prey has been controlled.
In the eyes of cats, people are actually giants, which is why cats usually feel anxious about strangers. Due to the huge differences in body size, cats are wary of human touch, especially when touching their very sensitive paws.
Cats don’t like to be out of control. When you hold their paws in your hands, they cannot move freely and cannot protect themselves. Resistance is their instinctive reaction.
Past experience may make cats afraid of touching their paws.
Cats can remember some things, especially things that make them have a strong emotional connection, such as accidental trauma when trimming their nails.
Even if cats forget the specific things that happened on the day of trimming their nails, they will not forget the pain, pressure and fear that this experience brings. Conversely, cats associate these pains with paw touching. Therefore, when you touch their paws, they will think of these pains, and they will instinctively resist.
Some tips on trimming nails
Although cats do not like us to hold their paws, the daily project of nail trimming requires us to hold the cat’s paws in our hands. How to make cats accept this job calmly is very important.
When you have to start trimming your cat’s nails, follow these suggestions:
Only try trimming your cat’s nails when the cat is very calm and relaxed.
Try to touch their favorite places with one hand, while holding their paws with the other hand.
Soothes the cat with snacks. When you have successfully cut your first nail, you will be served delicious snacks immediately.
If you can't figure it out, just send it to the pet shop for cutting.
cats’ paws are very sensitive, and sometimes they will refuse your invitation to shake hands. However, if a cat is willing to let you hold paws anytime, anywhere, that is your luck, because they completely believe in you.
