The rubbery, thick pads on your cat's paws cushion their feet and insulate them from weather extremes. However, they can get injured from surfaces that are too hot or too cold.

Without paw pads, cats, dogs and other members of Carnivora would slip and slide around on their furry feet. And just like human fingers, paw pads are supersensitive.

Carpal pads – These pea-shaped pads are located further back on your cat’s forelimbs, toward the outer side of the paw. Your cat’s paw pads contain a complex array of blood vessels, nerve ...

Vets Explain Why a Cat's Paw Pads (aka Toe Beans) Are As Functional As They Are Cute! Jaclyn Anglis and Anna Jamerson. Wed, September 6, 2023 at 3:41 PM UTC. 4 min read.

Another possible explanation for kneading has to do with the scent glands in cats' paw pads. "It's possible kneading can be used to deposit scent," Hazel said. In this way, cats may mark territory.