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Unsurprisingly, we think all cats are loveable. But if you’ve ever met a polydactyl cat (with extra toes), you’ll probably agree that they really are adorable! Their extra toes often make them look like they are wearing mittens. Have you ever wondered what creates polydactyl cats, or where they came from? Polydactyl cats are actually more common than you’d think, so let’s take a look at the facts about these adorable kitties.
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What are polydactyl cats?
The word ‘polydactyl’ actually has Greek origins. The word comes from polys (πολύς) meaning ‘many’, and daktylos (δάκτυλος) meaning ‘digits’. So, a polydactyl cat is part of the cat breeds that are born with extra toes on their hind paws or front paws! Polydactyl cats are also known as ‘mitten cats’ or ‘Hemingway cats’, amongst other names.
Regardless of the breed, most cats generally normally have 5 digits (toes) on their front paws and four toes on each back paw. Polydactyl cats have extra digits, varying in number between cats and even between paws. However, some polydactyl cats can sometimes have five toes and even seven toes on either of their four paws.
Extra toes on your polydactyl cat can be anywhere, whether on their front paws or hind paws. Despite this, polydactyl cats health issues remain normal.
Generally, many polydactyl cats have more than the usual number of toes than other cat breeds due to genetic mutation. The extra digits are usually on their front paws, but they can be on the back paws, or (rarely) both front and back! The extra digits can also vary in composition between cats, ranging from extra soft tissue that resembles a toe, to proper functioning toes.
Polydactyl cats are cats that are born with too many toes!
What causes a cat to be polydactyl?
Polydactyly in cats is an inherited disorder, meaning it is passed from parent to offspring. To understand what causes it, we need to understand a little about genetics. Genes are short sections of DNA that carry the information that determines a cat’s features and are the basic unit of inheritance.
A mutated gene simply means a changed gene, and a dominant gene is one that expresses itself more strongly than other genes causing a change in the bone structur on the paw. This is why many polydactyl cats have extra toes.
While this genetic abnormality can occur in any breed or sex of cat, inherited disorders do generally tend to be more common in pedigree cats. Selective breeding and in-breeding tend to be more common in pedigree cats, which increases the risk.
However, polydactyl cats are not necessarily inbred. Only one parent needs to carry the abnormal gene for a kitten to be polydactyl.
If both parents carry the gene, it becomes more likely that all the kittens will be a polydactyl kitten.
The origins of polydactyl cats
In the 1800s, sailors actually believed that polydactyl cats were lucky! Perhaps their extra digits enabled them to balance better on ships in rough weather, or perhaps they helped them to catch more mice. Either way, polydactyl cats became common on ships.
It is thought that 40% of the original unregistered Maine Coon cats were polydactyl. While this has largely been bred out of Main Coon cats now, some breeders have tried to encourage the trait, for example in the American Polydactyl. However, all cat breed standards currently require the normal number of digits, and polydactyl cats are not accepted at cat shows.
It is thought that 40% of the original unregistered Maine Coon cats were polydactyl.
Do polydactyl cats have health issues?
Being polydactyl does not cause any health issues or pain and polydactyl cats live a normal life. However, if the extra toes aren’t fully formed and are floppy, they may be more prone to catching on things, causing injuries such as torn claws. Occasionally the extra claws don’t grow properly, like an ingrown nail, but luckily this is rare.
Some people believe being polydactyly actually benefits the cat by improving balance and hunting ability! Whether this is true or not, polydactylism is a genetic abnormality, and deliberate breeding of any genetic abnormalities should be avoided.
Caring for polydactyl cats
In the cat population, there are no special care requirements for polydactyl cats. As with most cats, they are likely to need regular claw trims and check in on your cat’s health but one polydactyl cat is different from the other.
This may prove more tricky of course, depending on the number of claws there are to get through with your polydactyl cats! It’s also a good idea to invest in some scratching posts, to satisfy their need to scratch and to protect your furniture from your cat’s nails!
It is thought that 40% of the original unregistered Maine Coon cats were polydactyl.
Famous polydactyl cats
According to the Guinness World Records, a male ginger tabby cat named Jake from Canada had the most toes ever counted on a cat. His cat veterinarian counted that he had a whopping 28 toes in total!
The famous author Ernest Hemingway had a polydactyl cat named Snow White, who he reputedly absolutely doted on. Apparently, Snow White was gifted to Ernest Hemingway by a ship’s captain. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in the Florida Keys is now home to around 60 polydactyl cats, some of which are actually descendants of Snow White!
The upshot?
Who can argue with Ernest Hemingway, polydactyl cats are adorable! Luckily, being polydactyl doesn’t tend to cause any health issues, despite the extra number of toes. As ever, if you have any concerns about your polydactyl cat, give your veterinarian a call!
FAQ
Not all cats have polydactyls but they are actually fairly prevalent.
Being polydactyl does not cause any health problems. Depending on the structure of the extra digits, they may be prone to accidental injury, by catching on things.
Polydactyl cats are not worth any more money than cats with a regular number of toes. Pedigree cats are worth more than moggies, whether they are polydactyl or not.
Polydactyly is an inherited genetic abnormality. Only one parent needs to possess the genetic mutation for a kitten to be polydactyl.
It is just a hereditary issue that one of your kitten’s parents passed down; polydactyl cats are not inbred. Despite the fact that it might not be a major concern for your kitten, it is best to speak with your veterinarian to find out if they believe any treatment is necessary to keep your cat healthy and happy.
