Cat Names

The legs appear short when compared with the length of the body, but they are powerful. Strong muscles produce instant power for leaping upon prey or for great bursts of speed to catch prey on the run. The sharp angles of the knee and "heel" of the hind legs also contribute to the power for sudden sprints, for climbing, and for jumping. The front legs are also powerful and extremely flexible. A cat can stretch its forelegs wide apart to hug the body of an enemy and hold it close. The forepaws can be tucked under the chest when the animal crouches, can be curved around the head when the animal washes be­hind the ears, and can be turned palm up for washing under and between the toes. Most cats have five toes in the forepaws and four in the hind paws. Some domestic cats, especially in the northeastern United States, have extra toes on the inner sides of the front feet or of all feet. This oddity, polydactyl’s, is an inherited dominant trait. Cats with this trait are prized by many owners.

A cat's claws are formidable weapons for defense and for hunting. They also are useful tools for climbing and for clinging to precarious perches. Each toe is equipped with a claw, which grows from the last bone of the toe. The claws are hidden most of the time under skin that protects them from injury and keeps them from becoming blunt as the animal walks. A cat sharpens them by clawing rough surfaces or by chewing at the tips. Cats kept indoors will often use furniture if a scratching post is not provided. The retracted claw is held in its "sheath" by an elastic ligament. The moment a cat strikes, a muscle in the leg pulls on a tendon, which in turn pulls on the joint to which the claw is attached, and each claw comes out of its sheath. All claws can be unsheathed in a split second. The cheetah is the only kind of cat that cannot pull its claws completely back. Its claws, like those of the dog, are always exposed.


Cats reproduce so prolifically that there are millions more cats than good homes. Female cats come into heat repeatedly and may become nervous or ill-tempered and lose weight if not permitted to mate. Males wander restlessly, cry loudly to get out, and spray strong-smelling urine about the premises.

To prevent undesired kittens, females may be spayed after 5 or 6 months of age. Males may be neutered after 8 to 10 months to keep them from spraying or wandering. Both operations must be performed by a veterinarian. Neutered cats may need to have their food intake reduced to keep them from gaining weight.