Here's a breakdown:
* Plantigrade: Walking on the entire foot, from heel to toes. Examples: humans, bears, and cats.
* Digitigrade: Walking on the toes. Examples: dogs, wolves, and birds.
* Unguligrade: Walking on hooves or the tips of toes. Examples: horses, cows, and deer.
Cats' plantigrade gait allows for:
* Flexibility and agility: They can move quickly and easily in all directions.
* Stealth: Their soft paws make minimal noise when they walk.
* Balance and stability: Their wide stance and plantigrade foot placement help them maintain their balance.
Even though they walk plantigrade, cats can also run digitigrade, using their claws to provide extra traction and speed. This is particularly useful when chasing prey or escaping danger.