Why does a cat have cold, wet paws? - briefly
A cat's paws may feel cold and wet due to sweat glands located on their paw pads, which help regulate body temperature and provide better grip on surfaces.
Why does a cat have cold, wet paws? - in detail
Cats often have cold, wet paws due to their unique physiology and behavior. The pads on a cat's paws, known as paw pads, are covered with a thin layer of skin that contains sweat glands. Unlike humans, cats primarily sweat through their paw pads, which helps regulate their body temperature. When a cat is warm or stressed, these sweat glands release moisture, leading to dampness on the paws. Additionally, the evaporation of this moisture can cause the paws to feel cool to the touch. Another factor contributing to the coldness is the environment. Cats frequently walk on cool surfaces such as tiles, floors, or outdoor ground, which can lower the temperature of their paws. Furthermore, cats are meticulous groomers, and they often lick their paws to clean them. This grooming process can leave the paws slightly wet, especially if the cat has recently stepped in water or cleaned its face. The combination of sweating, environmental contact, and grooming habits results in the characteristic cold and wet sensation of a cat's paws. This phenomenon is entirely normal and serves as a functional adaptation to help cats maintain their body temperature and hygiene.