Interesting Facts About Dog Paws
A lot of people do not realize the power of dog paws! The paws are a very important part of a dog’s structure that allow them to perform many functions. We compiled a list of some of the most interesting facts about dog paws below!
- The Makeup of a Paw – Of the average 319 bones in a dog’s skeleton, many are dedicated to the paws. Along with bones, dog feet include skin, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and blood supply.
- Five Parts – Paws are made up of five different components: digital pads, metacarpal pads, dewclaws, claws, and carpal pads.
- Thick Tissue – Paw pads have a thick layer of fatty tissue which helps them develop a tolerance to temperature extremes.
- Human Similarities – Dog’s toes are equivalent to human’s fingers and toes. However, they are unable to wiggle them with the ease that we do.
- Dewclaws for Grip – Dogs can use their dewclaws to gain a better grip on bones and other things they may like to chew on. In addition, the dewclaws provide traction when dogs are running at high speeds.
- Cat Feet – It sounds odd, doesn’t it? Some breeds have what are called “cat feet”. These dogs have a short third digital bone, resulting in a compact feline-like foot. This can help assist in the dog’s endurance.
- Odor – You may notice a weird smell coming from your dog’s paws. This aroma may be a result of bacteria and fungi. However, the odor does not lead to complications for the dog.
We hope that you enjoyed our list of interesting facts about dog paws! It is important to understand that the paws play a crucial role in many dog functions. Think about some of the things that would not be possible without the use of the paws!
