Oh boy, do I love little kitty bodies. I’ve written about noses, tails, ears, and whiskers, and now I’m about to go on and on about paws and legs. Because you’re all cat lovers, I suspect you won’t mind coming along for the ride.
Here we go — nine reasons I love my cats’ legs and paws.
1. The stretchy toes
I just about melt when my cats fan their toes! Sometimes I gently rub my finger between the paw pads just so they’ll stretch their toes. Do you do that? I’ll bet you do.
2. The rabbit feet
Cosmo has the best back legs and feet. They’re kind of large compared to the rest of his body, and look just like giant rabbit feet. I try to look at them from afar because I’ve seen then up close when I lean in to smooch his fuzzy belly. Watching them kick my face isn’t quite as cute.
3. The paw-over-the-face look
You know when cats stretch and then curl back in, wrapping a paw around their face? It’s like they’re trying to hide from the paparazzi, which sometimes isn’t that far off base. I’m usually on the lookout for adorable kitty pics. This pose absolutely qualifies.
4. The paw pads
Ohhh!! Paw pads are just the bomb. My Cosmo has “coffee beans,” Saffy has dark-gray pads, and Phoebe’s are spotted (as seen in the first photo). This pic of Cosmo especially tickles me because his coffee beans blend in with the bed’s pattern. I know he was doing that just to amuse me. He’s so thoughtful.
5. The leg dangle
The leg dangle kills me every time. In this photo, the bar stool could easily accommodate Phoebe’s body, yet she chose to stretch at an odd angle, allowing one leg to dangle leisurely off the edge. In my opinion, the leg is just asking for someone (me) to gently grab it, or perhaps place a finger between her paw pads and watch her toes fan. Swoon!
6. The prissy one-leg look
Saffy has always preferred to lounge with one front leg stretched out in front of her. To me, she looks prissy in this position. Or she’s ready for her Glamour Shots photo shoot. She is pretty glamorous, that’s for sure. This single paw also requests a gentle grab, pet, or at least a kiss.
7. The butt-lick leg
This one cracks me up every time. When cats go in to detail their behinds, the back leg pops straight up like a salute. I’ve heard some call it “playing the cello,” although the slurping sounds are far less desirable than the stringed instrument’s melody. I suppose when more than one cat is going at it, it’s called a “symphony of slurps.” Gross, but funny — admit it.
8. The stacked feet
I don’t know why this gives me the giggles, but when cats lie on their side and stack those back feet, I smile uncontrollably. It’s so tidy and precise, just like kitties.
9. The tights and socks
Phoebe’s legs look like striped tights — I wish I had a pair just like them. And they dissolve into little white socks. I love examining cats who look like they’re wearing hosiery or footwear of any kind. They should have their own fashion show or something. I’d gladly host it at my house. You’re all invited.
What do you love about your cat’s legs and paws? Tell us in the comments!
Read more by Angie Bailey:
- “Hello, My Name is Angie, and I’m a Cat-Huffer”
- Cats and Bags: 2 Very Important Scientific Experiments
- The Pros and Cons of My Cats as Health Care Providers
About the Author: Angie Bailey is an eternal optimist with an adoration of all things silly. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, thinking about cats doing people things and The Smiths. Writes Catladyland, a cat humor blog, Texts from Mittens (originated right here on Catster) and authored whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, a silly book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that features sketches and mockumentaries. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.
