Cats are among the best hunters in the animal kingdom. They use hidden claws to catch their food. Cat claws have extremely sharp points, which makes them useful for fighting and climbing. Their claws are hidden inside their feet, so they don’t get worn down as dogs’ claws do. Cats’ long whiskers are used to detect the width of tunnels and burrows. Without whiskers a cat cannot tell whether its body will get through a narrow gap. Cats have an excellent sense of smell that helps them to know what is going on around them.
A cat ready to fight will show what weapons it has. It opens its mouth to show how big its teeth are. It swipes the air in front of its enemy’s face to show how big its claws are.
A cat that is hissing or baring its teeth, swishing its tail or growling is angry or frightened. It might give you a nasty scratch or bite if you go too close.