What a cat paw print looks like
A cat paw print is small and round, with four toe pads, a heel pad with three little lobes, and no claw marks. Here is what to look for, and how it differs from a dog's.
The parts of a cat paw print
- Four round toe pads sit in a gentle arc, one slightly ahead of the others.
- One heel pad sits behind them, with three small lobes along the back edge.
- No claw marks, because cats keep their claws pulled in as they walk.
Cat print or dog print?
A cat print is about as wide as it is long, and a little lopsided, with one toe leading. A dog print is usually longer than it is wide, more balanced, and shows claw marks. The heel pad is the clearest clue: three bumps at the back for a cat, one smooth curve for a dog.
How big is a cat's paw print?
Most house cats leave a print around an inch to an inch and a half across. Bigger breeds like the Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat can leave one nearer two inches. Kittens' prints are tiny, which is part of what makes them such a lovely keepsake.
Getting a clear print from a cat
Cats have light paws, so prints can come out faint. Try when your cat is sleepy, press gently on the top of the paw so each toe pad touches, and use an inkless kit so there's nothing to clean off. One clear photo is all the paw print tool needs to make line art.