Why Do Cats Not Like Their Paws Touched?

Your feline’s squishy, tiny paws are too adorable to resist. But whenever you try to touch your cat’s cute paws, he/she tries to get violent. As we know, no two felines are the same. While some cats pull back their paws when you try to touch them, others might get wild and hurt you with their claws.

So, as a responsible cat owner, it’s rational to ask, why do cats not like their feet touched?

Well, there are numerous reasons that can lead to this behavior. As your cat’s paws are sensitive, you are probably being harsh on them. Furthermore, it’s possible that your cat has some kind of past trauma related to its paws, making him/her more cautious.

Keep reading to learn why do cats hate when you try to touch their paws: 

Fascinating Facts About Cat’s Paws

Before going any further, let’s discuss some of the fascinating facts about a cat’s paws. Did you know your feline’s paws are brilliant shock absorbers? Cats are famous because of their pouncing. But have you noticed how gracefully and lightly your feline lands after an impressive jump?

Even though the cat’s paws are sensitive, they can still soften their landing. Furthermore, the cat’s paws are small, soft, and unexplainably adorable. But they are also quite sensitive. Your feline’s paws contain a large volume of nerve receptors that makes them a finely-tuned sensory organ.

A cat’s paws can feel vibrations, pressure, texture, temperature and pain. In this article, we will focus on pain and why cats hate when you touch their paws. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Why Do Cats Not Like You Touching Their Paws

Cats are considered affectionate animals. Your feline requires your love and attention to survive. That’s why whenever you get home, your cat will pounce at you, touch your mouth, play with you and so on. Some cats love being patted in the back of their neck and their ears, while others want you to scratch their tail.

However, when you try to touch your cat’s paw, you will encounter an odd stare, and they will pull their toe beans away from you. there are several reasons that can cause this behavior, such as:  

Rough Handling

Keep in mind that cats don’t like being touched roughly. Most people out there, who have never petted a cat, use too much force to handle a cat. Applying too much pressure or unexpectedly touching your feline’s paws can cause your cat to rebel.

Unlike dogs, your feline won’t enjoy overly-familiar contact or roughhousing. Instead, your little furball may get violent, hiss at you, or leave you alone.

Past Trauma

Unlike humans, cats don’t have impressive short-term memory. However, they still remember past traumas. If your cat’s paws were hurt previously, he/she wouldn’t allow you to touch it. Cats are pretty intelligent. They learn from their past and try to protect them. 

Injury

No two felines are the same. While some cats hate when you touch their paws, others might like it. Cats usually allow you to touch their paws to follow their trust and respect. If your feline is suddenly becoming defensive about its paws, it might be in some kind of pain. 

Bumps, bruises and scratches on the cat’s paws are not that rare. However, because your feline’s paws have a large number of nerve receptors, even a little scratch can cause a lot of pain. In that case, try to visit your veterinarian and follow his/her instructions.

Sensitive Paws

As mentioned earlier, cat’s paws are loaded with nerve receptors that make them more sensitive and vulnerable. These receptors allow your feline to:

• Feel different things
• Register pain
• Distinguish between textures
• Feel temperature
• Detect vibrations

According to the Journal of Physiology, your little furball can differentiate temperatures by one-degree Celsius. Due to this high level of sensitivity and survival instincts, cats don’t like their paws touching odd or strange things, including humans.

When Should I Touch My Cat’s Paws?

We, humans, admit that cats’ paws are too adorable to resist. Generally, cats don’t need our help to handle their paws. They are capable of healing minor injuries, maintaining their claws, and grooming themselves. So, if your cat doesn’t like being touched on paws, you don’t have to.

However, in some rare conditions, we must touch our cat’s paws, such as: 

Examining Injuries

Cats are predators by nature. Even though they are quite cautious about their paws, they still face accidents. Bad landings, walking on sharp-edged objects, fighting with another feline could hurt your kitty badly. So, in that case, you should touch your feline to examine its injuries. If the injuries are deep, visit your vet and get professional help.

Trimming Nails

Cats usually maintain their nails on their own. However, the sharp claws of your feline can cause some serious trouble. So, to protect your leather sofa and other furniture, you should touch your feline’s paws to trim its nails. 

Cleaning Paw Pads

In general, cats are obsessed with grooming. These felines will spend most of their time licking themselves to clean. However, some kitties are quite lazy and can have dirtier paws. In that case, you will need to touch their paws and clean them for their own good.

How to Get My Cat to Let Me Touch Its Paws?

Most cats allow you to touch their paws if they trust you. So, if you can’t resist and want to touch your feline’s toe beans, you should build a better relationship with your little furball. You can offer him/her some treats or spend more time with them to earn their trust.

Whenever you get a chance, handle your feline gently and with love and affection. This will allow your feline to feel more secure and comfortable around you. As a result, they will allow you to touch their paws without any fear. 

Final Verdict

Are you wondering, why do cats not like their paws touched? Well, the cat’s paws are quite sensitive. Even a little scratch can cause them severe pain. Therefore, they try to protect their paws from strange things, including human touch.