Cat Paw Prints

From LoveToKnow Cats

Cat paw prints are well known symbols, whether they’re painted into artwork or trailed on your freshly cleaned windshield.

Cat Paw Prints on Our Hearts

For thousands of years, cats have left a long-lasting impression on mankind. Cats were revered as powerful beings in ancient Egypt, and the Japanese consider the beckoning cat a symbol of good luck. There’s no denying that these furry creatures have captivated our hearts and their tiny (or sometimes huge!) paw prints have become an important symbol of their presence in our lives.

The Difference Between Cat and Dog Prints

To the untrained eye, it's hard to tell the difference between cat and dog tracks. Both animals have four toes on their front and back feet, but there is a key feature differentiating them. Take a close look at the print – do you see small triangular marks in front of each toe? These are claw marks. Cats walk with their claws retracted, so a feline paw print will show no sign of them. Dogs, on the other hand, leave their claws out when they walk or run.

Mega Paws

Cats vary greatly in size depending on what species and breed they belong to, so there are many different kinds of cat paw prints scattered around the globe. From silver tabbies to Siberian tigers, prints can range from about an inch to over five inches across! Take a look at some of these varied paws:

Lion Prints in the Sand	Tiger Paw Print in Nepal	Tiger Paw in the Mud
Tiger Paw Prints	Paws and Claws	Huge Lion Paws

Polydactyl Paws

While cat paws usually leave an indentation that shows four little toes, some cats are born with a genetic abnormality that gives them an extra toe on the inside of their foot, or a “thumb.” These cats are called polydactyls, and they leave a very different paw print wherever they go.

Artful Paws

A common motif in art, the cat paw print is a symbol of both nature and companionship. Little paws appear throughout the world in all forms of artwork, from sculptures to greeting cards, and even pop up in poetry and prose.

Handcrafted Paws

Artisans have used the paw print in a wide range of mediums:

Keepsake Paws

There are many kits available for cat owners to turn their pet’s paw print into a memento:

Paws in Space

In 2008, the Blanco 4-meter Telescope took a photo of the Cat’s Paw Nebula, an emission nebula about 5,500 light years away. Originally discovered by John Herschel in 1837, this distant body resembles a cat’s paw print.

A Gallery of Paws

There's no need to explain to a cat lover about the emotional benefits of pet ownership - they are such a large part of our lives that we consider them family. Cats leave their impression throughout our houses, towns, and indeed our entire world. Here are a few places that you’ll undoubtedly find paw prints, if you’re willing to look:

Paw Prints on Ice	Cat Scan	Paw Print in the Snow
Paw Prints in the Snow	Sunset Paw Prints	Paw Prints on Window
Paw Print Plate	Paw tiles	Dichroic Paw Art
Dichroic Paw Art	Dichroic Paw Earrings	Stained Glass Paw