Polydactyl Cats

Cats usually have 5 toes on each forepaw, and 4 on each hind paw. Poly- or hyperdactyl cats have more than the usual 18 digits on their paws, although it occurs more frequently on the front feet. Any breed of cat (or even other animals, including humans) can show this trait, although it is quite common in the Maine Coon cats (40%). The cats can have one or more extra toes on a paw, usually on the thumb side or an extra dewclaw (undeveloped toe or thumb).  Some owners report this gives their cats unique abilities that other cats don't have, like being able to open boxes.  If you have a polycat, what unusual things can it do?

Christine's polycat, Salem, is part Siamese   Christine's Salem says, "Hi", waving his polydactyl paw with 7 toes. Goliath has a sister who is also a beautiful polycat: Sandy Tatko's Lily "What do you mean I have big feet?" "All the better to hold on with, and scratch with." See more of Lily in the 'Funny Cat Pictures' section My name is Kimo and finding shoes that fit is a problem with this extra toe of mine. (Roy K. Ahuna's polydactyl gray tabby) Alma Doucette's mother in-law's 5-year-old cat, Mittens, has a total of 28 toes. This is my Dobie he has six toes in front.  His favorite thing to do is fetch.   This is Patrick.  We spent the weekend trying to get a decent photo of him.  Unfortunately he doesn't like to pose for the camera!  Scott and Anne-Elizabeth Schmittel This is my own poly, Gene, which is short for Genedefekt.  Melody Fisher (Also see Gene in the Magnificent Tummies section)         April's polydactyl cat 'Zumi-chan Nezumi's paw     This past Summer we found a pregnant stray momma who had 5 babies by the time we went back to pick her up. Our plan was to take her to the local shelter...turned out to be full, so we "grandparented" them all Summer, then found homes for Momma and 4 of the babies. Two of the babies were polydactyls...we kept one of them, the smallest. She is adorable and very talented with those thumbs! She looked like ET when she was young! Here are a couple of pics. Enjoyed your site! Barb & Drew in Minnesota Graycie at about 2-3 weeks of age And here she is actually sucking her thumb!   Hi, my name is Catherine from the UK, this is my cat, Puddin, as you can see she has thumbs and extra toes!!  Enjoy.          Tom's 4-month-old Max, a polydactyl tuxedo

Catarina's baby Goliath The Cat Arena Catarina's Goliath at 10 months The Cat Arena Goliath is GORGEOUS!!!  He is so personable, Eve.  I am thrilled to be his slave...lol Catarina The Cat Arena Thumbs is 5 years old, and the reason I named her Thumbs is because on her front paws she has 'thumbs' (also she has a tiny toe between her thumb and the rest of her toes.)  She has 1 or 2 extra on her back feet as well, but they are smaller.  Alma Doucette Bottom view of Thumbs' polydactyl paws I have a new kitten that is a polydact cat.  Remy LeBeau has multiple toes on every foot.  He is 9 weeks old and has markings like an Ocicat.  I was worried at first that he might have problems with his feet, but I have been looking at different sites on the internet and I feel better about it now.  Mary Chulick This is my Zoey.. she's a year and a half and has "thumbs"  lol. Christine Vecchio, Legal Assistant http://home.earthlink.net/~cvecchio8850 Zoey's feet Zoey's paw pad Zoey rehearsing ballet move Zoey and her friend, Christine Twinkletoes (Twink) was a stray who came into my house and my heart many years ago; and stayed until he died of old age.  His personality was very much like a dog - greeted me at the door when I came home, came when called, and slept in my arms every night.  He was quite the hunter - maybe because of those extra thumbs!  Evelyn Black   I love your site on polydactyls!  Until about a week ago we didn't even know there was a name for cats with extra fingers and toes. Here are a couple of pictures of our little angel, Mr. Paws.  When we saw his picture on the humane society website we knew we had to have him.  I got there half an hour before they opened the next day and good thing I did.  I went straight to his cage and got the papers for him.  While I was filling out all the forms, 7 other people came in wanting to take him home! Susan Lackey   Cujo is a Snow Bengal registered Polydactyl with NAPA and REFR.  He is 1 year old.  Cajun is his g/f and she was shipped here to California, all the way from Alabama!!  Cujo is a 6,6,6,6 and Cajun is Siamese Snowshoe marked with 6,6,5,5.  Thanks, Tanna Way Cujo Cajun [For those who are going to be the background for a photo of your kitty, you might want to think about wearing something photogenic :-)]   Above is Bella, she is three years old. And below is Janis, she is almost a year old ~ her Birthday is right around the corner, April 10th.   Thanks, Emmah

Van Gogh's cat may not have extra toes, but he's extra good at getting into trouble. 
Click on the picture to find out more.

van Gogh's Bad Cat ($30)

      
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