But which paws they use to lure us into watching endless YouTube videos and then opening their cans of food isn't entirely random, a new study says.

Scientists have discovered that many pet cats show a marked preference for the right or left front paw when it comes to walking down stairs, stepping over an object, or reaching for food. These preferences also differ by sex—males tend to prefer their left paws, whereas females were more likely to be righties. (Read surprising things you never knew about your cat.)

This mirrors what's seen in people, as men are more often left-handed than women. "We think this difference is linked to sex hormones," says lead author Deborah Wells, a psychologist at