Our kitty’s toe beans have to be one of the cutest features. They love to bat you, grab ahold of you, and gently wrap their paws around your finger. After naptime, they reach out their little pink tootsies and give you a big yawn.

But what is a standard color for pads on a cat? Those pads can vary in color from cat to cat, but once they are born, they should stay that color. So, if you have recently noticed a change in your cat’s paw pad appearance, here are a few reasons why that might be.

What Are Paw Pads?

Paw pads are the cushions of tissue on your cat’s feet. They take on lots of damage, acting as a shield between soft, vulnerable tissue and the ground.

You might think of soft, pinkish paw pads when you consider a cat’s dainty feet. However, paw pads can also be black, lavender, and even spotted.

What Do Paw Pads Usually Look Like?

All pads are made of fatty tissues—both collagen and adipose. But there are three different types of pads on your kitty’s tootsies:

Different portions of your cat’s paw pads protect against the terrain, absorb shock, and provide traction.