Polydactyl Cat Basics

Fascinating Facts About the Extra-Toed Cats

May 4, 2008 Lisa Rufle

A brief overview of the domestic polydactyl cat.

Most breeds of domestic cats have five toes on each of their front paws and four toes on each hind paw, for a total of 18 toes altogether. However, there are some cats that are born with more toes on either of their paws as a result of a genetic mutation. These cats are known as polydactyl cats, mitten or thumb cats or Hemingway cats.

The History of Polydactyl Cats

The extra toed cats first appeared in the U.S, England, Nova Scotia and Asia in 1868. Because of their unusual appearance, it was a commonly held belief that they were associated with witches and killed as a result. As people became more accustomed to the polydactyl cats, they were believed to be good luck, especially from the viewpoint of sailors. These cats were recognized as exceptional mousers and hunters, and as a result were often transported on ships during many overseas voyages. This is how the polydactyl made its way from Europe to the U.S.

The Polydactyl Population

The northeastern part of the U.S. is home to the largest concentration of polydactyl cats. This is thought to be a direct result of the Puritans introduction of the cat to Boston, Massachusetts centuries ago.

While all breeds of domestic cats can exhibit the multiple-toe mutation, it is most common in the Maine Coon breed.

Inheriting the Polydactyl Gene

Generally, kittens will all inherit any abnormal genes that their parents possess. It is not necessary for both parents to be polydactyl, only one needs to exhibit the mutation for all the kittens to be multi-toed (though, it should be noted that the other parent will also have the gene, though it will be recessive and not physically result in the exhibition of multiple toes). Consequently, if only one parent carries the mutated gene, only one half of the litter will be polydactyl.

Health Concerns of the Polydactyl

While it is easy to spot a polydactyl cat, since they typically have extra digits on their front paws, there are real no medical concerns for these animals. Some polydactyl kittens exhibit balance and dexterity issues when they are young as a result of their extra toes, but in the long run they physically develop at the same rate as their peers.

However, these cats do require some extra care, especially in the maintenance of their claws. Because the nails are prone to overgrowth, they need to be trimmed on a regular basis to avoid becoming ingrown into the paw pad.

Peculiar Polydactyl Facts

• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Jake, a polydactyl cat from Canada is the record holder for the most toes - 28!

• American author Ernest Hemingway is often referred to as one of the most famous polydactyl enthusiasts. It is believed that over his lifetime, he owned over 60 of these unique cats.

The copyright of the article Polydactyl Cat Basics in Cats is owned by Lisa Rufle. Permission to republish Polydactyl Cat Basics in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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29 Comments

Comments

May 12, 2008 9:37 PM

Guest :

We have a polydaxtel 13 yr old grey tabby, that looks like a little tiger with mittens. Her name is Lollipop, and is the absolute love of our life. I am an RVT (regestered vet. tech.) I have been a vet tech for 13 yrs now, and have my NP (nurse practioner.) I have see throughout my years alot of polydaxtel's! I just love them, and would love to own another one some day! Nancy Wilson, RVT

Jun 9, 2008 8:28 AM

shadowkitten44 :

I have a syndactyl, or split-foot kitten. He has this on both of his front paws. This is the opposite of the polydactyl condition giving his paws a "Lobster-claw" appearance. I have looked & looked for discussions, support groups, & articles on syndactyly, but surprisingly the only info I can find on the topic, are very BRIEF descriptions & comments on how syndactyly is NOT related to polydactyly (but is in fact the opposite), on polydactyl information sites. I cannot find any sites or articles or discussions predominately about syndactyly itself. I realize that syndactyly is much more rare & apparently less "desireable" than polydactyly in a cat, but I still would think there would be more information on the subject available for those that need it. If anyone knows of any sites containing information on this subject that I may have overlooked, please let me know, Thank You.

Jan 5, 2009 6:58 PM

Guest :

My husband and I own a 2yr old polydactyl kitty. He is beyond adorable and special in so many ways. He basically runs the house. He greets us at the door every day. As amatter of fact he can open the doors. He will stand up to any dog that comes in the house, and he has had the broken ankle to prove it. He is super furry and soft. And is the most people friendly cat I have ever met. Is that typical of polydactyl cats? I have not been able to find anything on their typical behaviors.

Jan 19, 2009 1:57 PM

Guest :

Nancy: I have a pure black multi-toed young female that came to my house as a stray. If you lived near me I would gladley give her to you!
Tammy bubbles89_us@yahoo.com

Jan 22, 2009 11:14 AM

Guest :

my grandmas cat is a polydactyl cat!

Feb 9, 2009 5:07 PM

Guest :

I am the owner of two polydactyl cats. One is almost 6 years old. You can count 27 toes and claws on her but it is believed that 4 are actually two each that didn't separate which would beat Jake's record. Her toes will be counted correctly at her next vet visit later this year. She can open certain doors and pick things up. Her back feet are turned outward and her tail is almost two inches shorter than a normal tail. The other one is 5 months old and has 24 toes. His front feet look like mittens. He is a sweetie but is independant. He gets into everything. There is no relation between the two. Polydactyls are unique and act different from normal cats. If you can get one, get it. They are fun to watch but don't lay anything down around them that you don't want to look for!

Feb 11, 2009 1:44 PM

Guest :

My cat Petey has 28 toes. I'm curious what the world record is? We got him from a shelter when he was 8 weeks old and his name was Flipper..He can pick up pencils in his paw when he is playing. He is an enormous cat, but very laid back and docile. How anyone could throw this cat out on the street when he was a kitten is beyond me.

Feb 15, 2009 10:20 PM

Guest :

hi i have a polydactyl called pixie she is 15 mths old and jus beautiful she just had a liter she had 5 and of the 5 4 also came out polydactyl they are just georgeous i love the huge front feet

Mar 15, 2009 6:41 PM

Guest :

I have a 2 year old cat he has this on all 4 feet hehe the kids named him mr tose

Apr 23, 2009 3:45 PM

Guest :

We have an American short hair mix polydaxtel, her name is Abby, she has 27 toes, and 2 large dew claws on her rear legs. Our vet says she is a very inbred cat, which is probably why our dog hasn't killed her. (They say animals can sense when another animal isn't quite right.) She is also a clutz! She falls down & up the stairs, and she always cheses her tail until she falls over! She doesn't "Meow" she squeeks like a guiny? pig. But we love her all the same, she is in love with our dog and is always kissing his face and rubbing all over him. She also gets very upset when we clean her litter box, she will run from anywhere in the house when she hears you cleaning it and jumps right in, at least she likes baths. Ed

Apr 29, 2009 9:01 AM

Guest :

I have a six year old female polydatyl,calico in color. she has 7 toes on each of her front paws and 5 on each of her rear feet. Sasha is her name. I love her so much! She has been a real joy in my life and would definately own another! But are they all so lazy? lol She spends most of her day and nights sleeping!

Apr 29, 2009 5:44 PM

Guest :

i just got a mitten kitten yesterday. shes an absolute doll! her mom was a mitten kitten and all the litter i believe r mitten kittens also especially the white ones which one of the white ones is what i have. shes 7wks old and still struggles with her balance but she doesnt let it stop her and shes so cute when she walks with her giant paws..she has 6 toes on 3 of her 4 feet.

Jun 1, 2009 10:24 AM

Guest :

My boyfriend and I have this beautiful calico polydactyl named Chi-Chi/Hermes (we couldn't decided a name so we both picked one. She comes to both names) and she is one sweet kitten. She's about 2 1/2 or 3 months old and has 21 toes! She loves to snuggle at night and loves to play. I had always wanted one and she's been one of the best cats. I would recommend them to anyone.
*JessicA*

Jun 3, 2009 3:37 PM

Guest :

my kitten was the only one to have many toes...is this common? Brutus is loving,playful & spoiled rotten. What are the typical traits for polydactyl kittens?

Jun 16, 2009 2:27 PM

Guest :

I have a hemingway cat!!! she gave birth 2 days ago and had one that was a hemming way so excititng

Jun 21, 2009 10:41 AM

Guest :

I have a polydactyl kitten with two thumbs on each hand, rear feet normal -male, all black, sleek with big ears and pointed nose like Siamese. He is a stray, about two months old. I call him Thumbkin. I have had him only a week now, and he purrs almost constantly and "talks" much of the time. I live in South Texas; how rare are polydactyl cats in the general population?

Jun 25, 2009 8:55 AM

Guest :

We have a beautiful furry polydactyl kitty we rescued from a local burger joint.We named her Fival cuz she looked like the mouse from An American Tail.She has 21 toes and is a very comical kitty! She loves to play and chase everything.Our older cat Buddy had to get used to her but now they are buds. At first we were'nt planning on keeping her, but we have fallen in love with her and couldnt possibly give her up!

Jul 2, 2009 5:08 PM

Guest :

Our 1 year old 28 toed kitten was adopted from a prison in upstate NY, Her name is Abby. She is a funny cat in many ways, she doesn't MEOW...She squeaks like a guinea pig, or coo's like a mourning dove. She made friends with our very mean dog, they even kiss each other! Must note the dog has killed other animals in it's life (Woodchucks, mice, even the stray lady bug that crosses his path.) The only time he will go after her is when she wants a taste of dog food. Abby, thinks she is a dog, as she likes to play fetch, and follows us (Especially me) around the house, she stands up on her hind legs to get petted, and squints and blinks at us all the time (My wife thinks Abby is flirting with me...) She lets me trim all her nails, in one sitting, likes baths, and is facinated with our hottub. She is a hunter though, she starts clicking her jaws whenever she sees anything smaller then her outside, even a crow!
To tell the truth, before Abby I never was a cat person, but Abby is a remarkable cat! She is even making alot of progress on leash training, although she still does the "Commando crawl" The guys at work, who all knew of her before I rescued her, get tired of my "amazing cat stories" Can't wait until vacation, we are taking her out on the boat fishing! One strange thing was our Vet who is a great vet thopught she must be inbred to have so many toes, and he thinks that because she "isn't quite right" may be why our dog puts up with her, (He almost killed another cat I rescued)He says that animals can recognize when another animal is ...Special. Any ideas or comments? Thanks, Ed

Jul 22, 2009 1:32 AM

Guest :

i have a polydaxtel kitten that has 6 toes on each front feet he looks like he has thumbs his name is happyfeet he great

Jul 30, 2009 5:06 AM

Guest :

I operate a Cat Rescue Shelter in Auckland New Zealand. I have 5 Polydactyl queens. They were rescued and I have a lovely black male cat of 12 months who carries the name Fingers. They are the most loving and loyal pusses that I have come across. I also have one jet black boy his name is Sonic, he has 7 toes on each foot,he also has cerebellum damage and is also known as the Disco Kid.

Jul 30, 2009 5:13 AM

Guest :

I operate a Cat Rescue Shelter in Auckland New Zealand. I have 5 Polydactyl queens. They were rescued and I have a lovely black male cat of 12 months who carries the name Fingers. They are the most loving and loyal pusses that I have come across. I also have one jet black boy his name is Sonic, he has 7 toes on each foot,he also has cerebellum damage and is also known as the Disco Kid.

Aug 20, 2009 2:01 PM

Guest :

Hi,
I also live in South Texas, and we have a sweet 2 yr old polydactyl Maine Coon named Dax. My daughter was working at a pet store, when she and the manager had to chase away a fellow who was selling kittens in the parking lot. When she went on break, she found a box containing a kitten and a note that read "Nobody will buy this **** deformed cat". The minute that she brought him home, I recognized that he was polydactyl. My husband took him onto his lap with his laptop and named him Dax. To this day, that is still Dax's favorite spot in the world.
Dax is cuddly, loving, loyal and very playful. He's the only cat we have who will present his belly for rubbing. He's already had to have surgery for swallowing a grandson's plastic toy. Living with him is like living with a perpetual toddler, but we wouldn't have him any other way. Dax and my hubby are now inseparable.
Marla

Sep 15, 2009 8:15 AM

Guest :

My cat just had four kittens. Two of them have 6 toes on each paw(in which one of them may actually be seven on its front paw it's hard to tell right now). They are almost identical in every way. The other to kittens appear to be normal. They are most unusual and we have people dropping by just to see them.

Sep 16, 2009 3:31 PM

Guest :

I have a poly..she is about 3 months old. Mouse is her name...as she was the runt of the litter. She has 7 toes on each front (mitten looking) and 6 on each hind. She is long haired orange in color. She is a wonderful girl and sounds like a freight train when she purrs. She gets along amazingly with my other two cats. Polys are definitely unique cats in demeanor!

Sep 17, 2009 12:28 PM

Guest :

I have a poly and I am sure he is the best cat I have ever had! I come from a family where we have never had less than 3 cats at a time, so when i got my own apartment I decided I needed one of my own. I found my poor little alfie very neglected and covered in so many flea bites there was blood all over his fur :( after a bath and some TLC alfie doesn't even know he's a cat, thinks he's more of a dog! Never spends the night anywhere but curled up in my arms and there hasn't been a day yet where he hasn't greeted me at the door when i come home from work... I wonder if these extra toes give them some extra wonderful personality as well???

Sep 22, 2009 2:05 AM

Guest :

Hi all. My cats name is Cantonize (just like the food) and she is very gentle. She has 6 toes on all her feet and the "mitten" as opposed to the "patty" shape on her front paws. My vet says that the mitten pattern is more common. She is the most adorable cat I have ever owned. All her littermates are polydactyl and but she is the only one with an even number of toes on all four feet. We live in Alaska so indoors is a must. Lots of dogs to eat her up here! Not to mention superstisious fundamentalists who would probably kill her as a witches familiar or something. Anyways I truly think "poly's" are different on the average (behaviorily) but don't really have any proof. Like most parents I think that my baby is the most adorable !!

Oct 7, 2009 7:18 AM

Guest :

My name is Randy, Two months ago these little kids brought two tiny kittens to my home and asked if I would want them, because everyone always sees my cats sitting in my windows. I had to say yes, and in time I noticed that the one had mitton shaped front feet, I thought it was something I would have to get fixed until I read all about polydactyl cats!! I LOVE HIS FEET!!!!! :) I named him Nyjoal and he is the most loving cat I have ever come across. My partner and I are kind of partial to him, but we try not to be. Polydactyl cats are awesome, and I'd take another one in a heart beat. He's sitting on my lap as I type this. I just love him to death. ...Randy from Pennsylvania

Oct 8, 2009 12:45 PM

Guest :

Greetings
A little over a month ago, a co-worker stated there was a cat out back that needed a home. I went to see and of course the cat ran. When it did I noticed it was nothing but skin and bones. I immediatley jumped in my car to go get food. After 3 weeks of feeding this kitten, she finally came out and rolled around so I could see she was a girl. LOL. After week 4 she finally let me touch her (on Oct 5). On Oct 6th I brought my cat carrier on and took her to the Humane Society to have her checked out. She is now home with me and she loves to be loved. While cleaning her up I noticed her feet. She has an extra dew claw on both front paws. She is the cutest thing and very loveable. She goes tonight for her vet check up. Right now my other cats are adjusting to her presence. So far so good and I can tell she will be a handful but she now has a good home and we love her already.
<Susanne from Maryland>

Dec 15, 2009 2:29 PM

Guest :

I have 2 polydaxtel kitties named Louie and Cleo and they are mama and son. Louie has 24 toes and Louie has 30!!!! When he was a kitten he could literally hang upside down!!! LOL!!! He can open doors, but is probably the most clumsy cat in the world, hahahaha!!! Does anyone know how we can submit him to break the world record??? He TOTALLY would!

29 Comments