As a result, a cat seems to glide. Its hip joint enables a cat to leap easily. Other special joints allow a cat to turn its head to reach most parts of its body. A cat has five toes on each forepaw, including a thumblike toe called a dewclaw. Each hindpaw has four toes.
Some cats have extra toes.
Each of a cat's toes ends in a sharp, hooklike claw. This action extends the claws. A cat uses its claws in climbing, in catching prey, and in defending itself. Several spongy pads of thick skin cover the bottoms of a cat's feet. The pads cushion the paws and enable a cat to move quietly.