Paw

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Right front paw of dog showing A) claw, B) digital pads, C) metacarpal pad, D) dewclaw, E) carpal pad.

A paw is the soft foot-like part of a mammal, generally a quadruped, that has claws. To paw is for an animal to use their paws, usually gently or for digging, or for a human to use their hands in the manner of an animal's paw.

The paw is characterised by thin, pigmented, keratinised, hairless epidermis covering subcutaneous collagenous and adipose tissue, which make up the pads. These pads act as a cushion for the load-bearing limbs of the animal. The paw consists of the large, heart-shaped metacarpal or palmar pad (forelimb) or metatarsal or plantar pad (rear limb), and generally four load-bearing digital pads, although there can be five or six toes in the case of domestic cats and bears (including giant panda). A carpal pad is also found on the forelimb which is used for additional traction when stopping or descending a slope in digitigrade species. Additional dewclaws can also be present.

The paw also includes a horn-like, beak shaped claw on each digit. Though usually hairless, certain animals do have fur on the soles of their paws. An example is the red panda, whose furry soles help insulate them in their snowy habitat.

Rabbits and other lagomorphs have paws with very sharp nails and have no pads underneath them