Cats have a total of nine fingers, five on their front paws and four on their hind paws. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that one finger on a cat's front paw is not on the same plane as the other four, and the soles of their toes have thick, fleshy pads called fatty pads. These pads allow cats to walk silently, greatly aiding their hunting abilities. Cats' toes are tipped with sharp, retractable claws. To prevent their claws from becoming dull, they retract when resting and walking, and extend when hunting and climbing. 
What are the uses of a cat's claws?
1. Natural shock absorber: A cat's paws are natural shock absorbers, mainly thanks to the pads on their paws. They can provide excellent cushioning and reduce friction, effectively preventing cats from getting injured when jumping around.
2. Natural silencers: The paw pads on a cat's paws also have a very good sound-absorbing effect, making the cat walk silently.
3. Scent secretion: A cat's paws also have the function of secreting scent, which helps the cat to mark its own territory.
4. Sweating and heat dissipation: Cats have a large number of sweat glands on their paws, which allows them to regulate their temperature and dissipate heat.
5. Cleaning function: Cats use their paws to wash their faces and scratch themselves. Kittens as young as one month old can already groom themselves with their paws.
6. Hunting and climbing: A cat's claws can retract and extend freely. When hunting, the claws retract to prevent the prey from spotting it; when climbing, the claws extend to help the cat climb steadily and quickly.
7. Sensors: Cats' paws contain a large number of nerve receptors. They use their paw pads to sense vibrations, pressure, and texture, and thus judge their surrounding environment.
