What are a cat’s paws used for?

A cat’s paws contain a large number of nerves that help them gather information about their surroundings, while the paw pads sense vibration and texture, greatly assisting cats in assessing whether there are enemies or prey nearby. The paw pads also provide shock absorption and sound dampening, so cats are generally quiet when they walk.

In addition, the tips of a cat’s toes have very sharp, retractable claws that help with hunting and climbing.