Why Can’t Dogs Retract Their Nails Like Cats?

Dogs on hard ground Imagine the “clicking” sound it makes when walking. Now, think of a cat walking on the same ground, isn’t the difference obvious? The cat moves completely silently.

The answer to this difference is that dogs and cats have different nails. how they use it hidden.

Cats use their nails to attack their prey.

According to evolutionary biologist Anthony Russell from the University of Calgary, cats use their front nails to to catch and hold their prey; They use their back claws to tear the abdomen of their prey.

cats nails They need to keep it sharp. because it is essential for them to secure their next meal. If their nails were out all the time, they could dull by rubbing against the ground. So the reason they retract their nails is to keep them really sharp.

So why can’t dogs pull their nails in?

Dogs are social hunters. To hunt large animals they work in groups and they exhaust their prey over long distances.

Therefore, dogs do not need to keep their nails sharp to hold their prey. However, dogs’ nails are not completely dysfunctional. dogs nails, to hold on to the ground and helps them change direction quickly. In short, we can say that it provides traction and maneuverability.

Most cats, except cheetahs, do not use their nails when running.

Cheetahs use their nails to chase their prey faster and over longer distances. less retractable has made it so.

So everything evolutionary adaptations and hunting strategies is a result. While dogs that cannot retract their nails develop strategies that require endurance and cooperation as social hunters; Cats have evolved the ability to hide their sharp nails to hunt alone.

Our other content that may interest you: