They can , as do cows and sheep , but they only do it at night , i have seen them

Ps i may have been drunk !!!

Cats have retractable claws. They are also able to rotate their paws inward. Cheetahs can't rotate their paws inward and can't climb very well. Dogs are like cheetahs.

Looks like I need a link. Not all cats climb trees Cal. The difference between a leopard and a cheetah is instructive why one can climb and the other can't. The cheetah is built like a dog. It can't turn its claws so that they point at each other, like clapping hands. Most cats can and most are good climbers.

http://www.cheetah.co.za/pdf/CheetahInfo...

The gray fox, a relative of wolves and dogs, can climbs trees. Most other foxes, dogs, and wolves cannot. To climb trees, one needs long and curved claws. Most foxes, dogs and wolves do not have those types of claws. Cats can climb trees because of their long, sharp and curved claws. Below is a picture of the gray fox's semi-retractable claws.

http://photos.imageevent.com/peteh/foxhu...

Because they don't have pointed nails.