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Book 33, Question 86

What are paw pads for?

The soft pads under a dog’s or cat’s paws are made of tough skin with a cushion of fat and stretchy tissue inside.

They absorb shock when the animal runs and jumps, give grip on slippery ground, and help sense vibrations and textures. Dogs also lose some body heat through their paws. Pads are like built-in running shoes.

Why I wrote this