Apparently cats do have paw preference, just like humans do with their hands. Researchers studied cats (in their own homes!) to see whether they favored their right or left paws, and most really did lean towards one or the other. Interestingly, male cats tended to be left pawed, and more females were right pawed.
Of course my human wanted to see which paw I favored. So she tried a simple test.
To find out your cat’s paw preference is pretty easy, although it takes some time. You just observe their normal daily activities. Which paw goes first when they step in and out of the litter box? Which one do they use when reaching for toys or treats? When going up and down stairs, which paw do they step with first? Things like that. Over time you’ll probably notice that your cat uses one paw more than the other.
Because this is a blog and you don’t have time to watch me all day, my human had a quick session where she offered me treats. She figured I’d probably use one paw to reach more than the other. I fooled her at first! I sat up.
When I realized I wasn’t getting the treat until I reached for it, I did… with my right paw.
But when she tried again, I reached out with my left paw!
To make sure she wasn’t affecting the outcome, my human switched the hand she was using to give me the treats.
It didn’t really make a difference. I’d use one paw…
And then the other! But before she could conclude I am ambi-pawed, she realized something. She has spent a long time teaching me tricks with my paws, and as part of the routine, she decided to use different paws for different tricks! She figured the commands would be less confusing for me that way. That’s why I high five with my right paw and wave bye-bye with my left. So yes, I am ambi-pawed, but it is not necessarily natural!
I bet you’d be lots more successful figuring out whether your cat favors their right or left paw. Have you ever tried — or do you plan to now? Let me know in the comments!
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
Whenever I bury my face in Sydney’s fur, she slaps me with her left paw! When she wants to me fed at 3am, she gently paws me with her left paw!
This was really interesting Summer. My old cat Widget was left pawed. Her older brother HT was right pawed. Cloud was left pawed while Flynn was right pawed. Grey Ghost (female) is ambipawed and Furgus is left pawed.
Really can’t tell with Rosie. She just wants to rub her face on me anywhere she can. Because Princess is very paw forward and does tricks, I noticed her using the right more than left
Dad has wondered this too. I preferred my Right. Rumpy does too along with Toby so not sure about that “most cats” thing. Miss Fitz is an Ambi like you Summer
TW says most of her cats have been left pawed like herself. She thinks I may be the exception but will have to observe. TW is even left foot dominate altho she used to use her right foot to kick balls.
What a kewl post Summer!! LadyMew sayss mee iss Amby-pawed two!!
Wee are kewl Kitty Girlss aren’t wee??
‘angel’ Unkell Siddhartha Henry WAS left pawed…LadyMew sayss shee reememburrss him allways leadin with left paw an swattin her with left paw 😉
**purrss** BellaDharma an ((huggiess)) LadyMew
I actually never thought about it, but I will be sure to be more observant from now on.
I’ll look at Katie!
I looked back at a lot of old photos and it looks like both boys were right pawed.
That is so cool Summer! <3
That’s so cool, Summer! We will observe Ava, and let you know what we conclude!
This is so interesting! I’ll definitely start paying attention to see if Mudpie shows a preference.
My KaChoo was left-pawed like me, but all my cats now seem to be right pawed. Not sure on the 3 newbies though.
Dearest Summer,
Cute action photos and we had only one kitty, our late Barty boy who gave the high five and with his right hand.
The rest is mainly right pawed.
Hugs,
Mariette
We tend to be right-pawed!
Ha ha, keep her guessing, Summer.
I’m a lefty and Seal is a lefty too. Simon and Dolly say they’re right, of course they do!
Another interesting cat fact presented. We no longer have
cats so……….. But we do have neighbor cats so I’ll be
watching them so see.
Gee Summer, that is something my purrson never thought about.
I think I am right pawed, but we will observe things over the next few days 🙂
Purrs, Julie