Just as humans tend to favor one hand over the other, cats also prefer using their left or right paws when performing tasks such as reaching for food or stepping into a litter box. Since cats can’t tell us which paw they prefer, researchers had to deduce this through observation.

Studying over 44 cats, researchers noticed that cats showed a distinct preference for using a right or left paw when reaching for food (73%), stepping down (70%) and stepping over (66%) objects.

The next time you watch your cat, see which paw it uses first. Knowing this information might not make your life any better, but it can help you understand your kitty a little better.

To read more about cats that prefer their left or right paws, click here.