Ask Dr. Universe: Cats can climb thanks to their sharp claws, beefy backsides – Mon, 03 Nov 2025 PST

Key Takeaways:

• Cats rely on their sharp claws for gripping surfaces.
• Strong hindquarters (“beefy backsides”) help them power upward.
• Jake, 7, from Wisconsin raised the question about feline climbing.
• The piece comes from a Q&A format featured in Spokesman.
• Published on November 3, 2025, focusing on environmental and top news topics.

Child’s Inquiry

Jake, a 7-year-old from Wisconsin, wrote in with a simple yet fascinating question: “Dear Dr. Universe: How do cats climb?” His curiosity set the stage for a look into the remarkable abilities of our feline friends.

Why Cats Can Climb

According to the Spokesman article, cats owe their climbing prowess to two main assets: sharp claws that dig into surfaces easily and what it calls “beefy backsides,” or strong hindquarters. These features work together, allowing cats to pull themselves up fences, trees, and other vertical obstacles with agility.

The Q&A Approach

In this short piece, “Ask Dr. Universe” provides the most direct answer possible for curious minds like Jake’s. Although the full content is limited to paid subscribers, the essential takeaway remains clear: cats use a combination of claw power and stout back legs to make even the highest perches look accessible.

In Closing

With just a bit of feline anatomy on display, this question-and-answer segment offers a glimpse of how nature equips these playful creatures for climbing. While the full details lie behind a paywall, readers gain insight into at least one secret of the cat world: it’s not only about those sharp claws—they’ve got the muscular backing to match.