Understanding your cat's body is essential for providing the best care. Take a minute to look your cat over from head to tail and discover how the body works.

HEAD:
A very flexible neck is a sure sign of your cat's predatory nature. It provides a wide range of motion for a strong skull to watch for prey.

EYES:
Your cat's eyes are large and well protected deep inside strong sockets. Each eye is uniquely equipped with a depth of focus specialization to allow for better distance judgment while hunting.

TEETH:
Your cat's teeth are typical of a hunting carnivore. Fangs for killing, incisors for holding onto prey and molars for tearing. The lower jaw is particularly flexible to give an extra boost to chewing food.

EARS:
Your cat's ears are like cups that collect a wide range of sounds. Muscles in the ears are precision instruments that shape the ears in specific ways to detect specific sounds. Just like your ears, your cat's inner ears help balance.

BACK:
Your cat's back is marked by larger bones along the middle to support the weight of the torso. Muscles along the back are strong to help carry heavy prey over long distances if necessary.

BACK LEGS:
Your cat's back legs can only move backward and forward. The "knee" is the opposite of the "elbow" on front legs. They work together to give your cat a unique ability to spring and pounce.

FRONT LEGS:
Unlike the back legs, your cat's front legs can not only move forward and backward, but also rotate a bit so the underside of paws can be turned toward the face. This lets your cat clean and wash effectively.

PAWS:
Paws are so long that your cat actually walks more on its "fingers" supported by sensitive, dense pads. Claws can be retracted.

Hills Author Hills Author
Staff Author

One of our staff authors prepared this article for you

Related articles

Benefits of Neutering a Cat

Learn about when the best time to spay or neuter your cat is, and the health benefits that accompany the surgery.

Do Cats Sweat or Pant?

Can cats sweat? Are you concerned that she's panting? She might just be trying to cool herself off, but these signs could indicate a heat-related problem.

Weight Control Food for Cats: Key Features and Feeding Tips

What is the best food for an overweight cat? Learn all about weight control food for cats, including what's in it and how it works.

Keeping Your Cat Hydrated if She's Not Drinking Water

Learn why your cat is drinking less water than she used to, how much she should be drinking, and how to recognize and prevent her from getting dehydrated.

What are the visible signs of aging in cats?

When is a cat considered a senior? Learn how to recognize signs of aging in cats and tips to support your cat's age through better nutrition and care.

Adopting an Adult Cat: What You Need to Know

Understand how adopting an adult cat from a shelter is different than adopting a cat, and what to expect when you bring her home for the first time.

How to Put Weight On a Cat

Learn how to tell if your cat is too skinny, including key causes of weight loss, and what you can do to help your cat get back to a healthy weight.

Safe Play Between Cats and Kids

Learn to help cats and kids enjoy fun and safe playtime together. From introductions to holding, here's how to play with cats when kids are involved.

Are Cats Good With Kids?

Are cats good with kids? Happily, the answer is yes! Use these tips to find the best cat for your family.

Kitten's Development Milestones: First Weeks & Months

Follow this timeline to learn the weekly & monthly progression of your kitten's development, including when to expect her to start walking & needing vaccines.

Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Signs & Treatments

Know the causes of diabetes in felines to better understand how to prevent it in your cat. Ask your vet for treatment options.

Can Cats Get Asthma?

Could your cat's wheezing & breathing issues be an asthma attack, or is it just a hairball? Learn to recognize signs of asthma and what you should do.

Cat Play: How to Keep Your Kitty Engaged

Keep your cat both mentally and physically active with these fun tips for play and exercise even when you're not home.

Should I Get My Cat Groomed by a Professional?

Cats often do a lot of grooming themselves, but learn some sticky situations where consulting a professional groomer might be the right call.

The Changing Needs of a Kitten Becoming a Cat

Learn the needs of your aging kitten. It's nutritional and exercise requirements will start to change as it grows from being a kitten into an adult cat.

Gingivitis in Cats: Causes, Signs, Treatment & Prevention

Learn helpful info about gingivitis in cats, the most common oral disease among cats, including what it is, causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention tips.

How to Make Your Own DIY Cat Scratching Post

Learn how to build an easy, homemade DIY cat scratching post using items around your house! She'll get exercise and you won't get a ruined staircase.

Grain Free Cat Food: What You Need to Know

Understand what grain free cat food actually means and whether or not it is a healthy solution to feed your cat.

Tips for Building a DIY Cat Perch

Learn why your cat loves to be up high and how to build a DIY cat perch to keep her happy. Discover what materials you'll need and how to put it together.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats: Signs & Prevention

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats: Signs & Prevention