Read time: 1.5 mins
Ahhh toe beans, Our favourite topic. Technically termed paw pads or digital pads, toe beans are found on the underside of your cat’s paws and are just about the most deliciously fluffy, pillowy beans you ever did see.
What are toe beans?
Your cat’s pads, as well as being insanely cute, actually serve some pretty practical functions. The beans provide cushioning for your cat’s four paws and absorb impact on landing those big leaps, literal shock absorbers. Not only this, but they also enable your cat to sweat! With no pores, our furballs need other ways to regulate their body temperature. Their paw pads contain sweat glands which help them release excess heat when temperatures peak. As well as sweat glands, toe beans also have scent glands which help our fluffs mark their territory with their paws – kneading is actually a way of marking you as part of their gang!
Why are they different colours?
Well, it turns out, toe beans are directly related to fur colour. The melanin in their makeup determines the colour of their skin, fur and indeed those tasty lil beans – fun fact, their beans will usually match their nose! Let’s see exactly how it correlates:
| Fur Colour | Toe Bean Colour |
| Black | Black |
| White | Pink |
| Tabby | Grey & Dark Pink |
| Orange | Orange |
| Multi coloured | Multi coloured |
| Hairless | Same as skin colour – usually pink or grey |
There you have it, every toe bean is as individual as its floofy owner!
