What Is a Polydactyl Cat? The Complete Guide to Cats With Extra Toes

 

 

Polydactyl cats have been fascinating pet parents for centuries. These charming felines are born with extra toes on one or more paws, giving them a distinctive appearance that has earned them nicknames like "mitten cats" and "Hemingway cats."

While a genetic mutation is behind those extra toes, polydactyly is not considered a disease. Most polydactyl cats live perfectly normal, healthy lives, and their unique paws are simply part of what makes them special. In this guide, we cover the genetics, the history, and what pet parents need to know about caring for a polydactyl cat. Key claims are supported by peer-reviewed veterinary and genetics sources listed at the end.

What Is a Polydactyl Cat?

A polydactyl cat is one born with more than the standard number of toes on one or more paws. The word "polydactyl" comes from Greek, meaning "many fingers or toes."

Most cats have a total of 18 toes: five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw. Polydactyl cats can have anywhere from one extra toe up to several more, with some rare individuals having as many as eight or nine toes on a single paw. The Guinness World Record for most toes on a cat is 28, shared between two cats in Canada and Minnesota.

The extra toes are usually functional and don't tend to cause the cat any difficulty. Polydactyl cats can walk, run, climb and hunt just like any other cat. Many pet parents describe the extra toes as making their cat look like they are wearing tiny mittens, which is where the nickname "mitten cats" comes from.

What Causes Polydactyly in Cats?

Polydactyly in cats is caused by a genetic mutation. The condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance, meaning the trait is passed down through generations from parents to kittens, but not all cats carrying the gene will express it.^[1] If one parent has polydactyly, there is roughly a 40 to 50% chance that each kitten will inherit the trait.

The mutation affects the development of a cat's limbs during their earliest stage of growth in the womb. Specifically, most cases of non-syndromic feline polydactyly are caused by mutations in a regulatory region of DNA called the ZRS (ZPA regulatory sequence), which controls the expression of a developmental gene called Sonic Hedgehog (SHH).^[1][2] This gene plays a key role in shaping the limbs during embryonic development, and small changes in its regulation can result in extra digits forming.

The mutation is not linked to any harmful health conditions in most cases. Polydactyly is generally considered a benign trait rather than a disease.^[3]

Types of Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly can present in different ways depending on which paws are affected and how many extra toes are present:

• Preaxial polydactyly: The most common type in cats. Extra toes appear on the inner side of the paw, near where the "thumb" would be. This gives the paw a mitten-like appearance.^[1]
• Postaxial polydactyly: Rarer in cats. Extra toes appear on the outer side of the paw.
• Mitten paws: A common informal name for a preaxial extra toe that resembles a thumb.
• Patty foot (or hamburger paw): When a paw has multiple extra toes, giving it a wider, flatter appearance without a distinct thumb.

Front paws are more commonly affected than back paws, and it is possible for a cat to be polydactyl on some paws but not others. Usually, cats will have one or two extra toes on each affected paw, though some can have more.

Common Breeds With Polydactyly

Polydactyly can appear in any breed of cat, including mixed breeds. Two breeds are particularly known for it:

Maine Coons

The Maine Coon breed has long been associated with polydactyly. Historically, a significant proportion of early Maine Coons carried the trait, though modern breeding practices have reduced its prevalence in most breed lines. Peer-reviewed research has confirmed that polydactyly in Maine Coons follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity.^[1] The extra toes may have originally helped the breed navigate the snowy terrain of Maine, and some breeders continue to work with the trait today.

Pixie-Bobs

The Pixie-Bob is a breed founded partly on polydactyl cats, and the trait is accepted in the breed standard. Pixie-Bobs are known for their wild bobcat-like appearance, and their extra toes are considered part of their charm.

Hemingway Cats

"Hemingway cats" isn't a breed, but a term used for polydactyl cats descended from a lineage kept by author Ernest Hemingway. His original polydactyl cat, Snow White, was a gift from a sea captain named Stanley Dexter in the 1930s. Today, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West is home to around 50 to 60 cats, roughly half of which are polydactyl, all thought to descend from Snow White.

The History and Cultural Significance of Polydactyl Cats

Polydactyl cats have a long and colourful history. Their extra toes gave them a reputation as excellent mousers and skilled climbers, which is why they were often favoured aboard ships during the golden age of sail.

Sailors believed polydactyl cats brought good luck and had better balance on rough seas, and they were often kept as ship's cats. This is why polydactyly is more common in populations found along historical maritime trade routes, particularly the northeastern coast of North America and southwestern England and Wales.

In the United States, polydactyl cats became especially associated with the New England coast and Boston in particular. In Europe, they occur less commonly, though populations exist in Wales and the south-west of England.

Ernest Hemingway's affection for polydactyl cats is perhaps the most well-known cultural touchpoint. He was said to have taken the good-luck reputation seriously and kept a colony of cats at his Key West home throughout his time there. Beyond Hemingway, there have been polydactyl cats in unexpected places, including Slippers, a six-toed cat belonging to US President Theodore Roosevelt.

Care Considerations for Polydactyl Cats

Polydactyl cats generally don't need any special care beyond what any cat needs. That said, their extra toes do come with a couple of practical considerations.

Nail Trimming

More toes means more nails. Extra claws may not wear down as evenly as regular claws, particularly if the extra toe doesn't touch the ground properly during walking. This can lead to overgrown or ingrown claws, which can cause pain or infection if not managed.

We'd suggest checking your polydactyl cat's nails regularly, ideally every one to two weeks. Trimming may be needed more often than for a non-polydactyl cat. If you are unsure about trimming yourself, your vet or a groomer can help.

Litter Tray Considerations

Some polydactyl cats have wider paws than typical, and a slightly larger litter tray can make them more comfortable. Fine-grained, low-dust litters are often gentler on sensitive paws too. Our guide on what cat litter is made of covers the main types and how they compare.

Grooming

The area between the extra toes can accumulate debris, litter or small objects. We'd suggest gently checking and cleaning between the toes as part of your normal grooming routine, particularly for longhaired breeds like Maine Coons.

Signs of Discomfort

While polydactyly itself doesn't tend to cause pain, it's worth keeping an eye out for any signs that the extra toes might be causing your cat trouble. These could include limping, reluctance to walk, overgrooming a specific paw, redness or swelling around a toe, or general changes in posture. Our guide on arched back in cats covers what to look for when a cat's posture may be signalling pain.

Are There Any Health Concerns With Polydactyly?

Polydactyly is generally considered harmless. Veterinary literature notes that in most cases there is no apparent clinical significance to the condition beyond an increased chance of traumatic injury or ingrown claw issues with the extra toes.^[3]

The situations where it's worth being aware of a potential issue include:

• Ingrown claws: An extra toe that doesn't reach the ground may develop nails that grow into the paw pad, causing pain and possible infection.
• Traumatic injury: Partial extra toes can sometimes be more vulnerable to catching or tearing.
• Rare associated conditions: A small number of syndromic forms of polydactyly can be linked to other developmental issues. Your vet can assess whether your cat's polydactyly is isolated (which is the norm) or part of anything more complex.

We'd suggest a routine vet check to confirm the paws are healthy and that there are no ingrown claws or other issues developing. Beyond that, most polydactyl cats need no special medical care.

How Litter Sense Can Support Your Cat's Overall Wellbeing

Polydactyl or not, monitoring your cat's day-to-day health matters. Changes in urine can be some of the earliest signs of common feline health issues, and these can be easy to miss during routine litter tray cleaning.

Litter Sense monitors your cat's urine daily and changes colour if it detects an abnormal pH balance or the presence of blood, giving pet parents an early sign to book a vet appointment if something looks off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are polydactyl cats rare?

They aren't as rare as many people think. Polydactyl cats occur worldwide, though they are more common in certain populations, particularly along historical maritime trade routes. The northeastern coast of North America and the south-west of England are two well-known regions with higher-than-average populations.

Is polydactyly harmful to cats?

No, in most cases it is not harmful. Veterinary literature considers polydactyly a benign trait with no significant clinical impact beyond an increased chance of ingrown claws or minor injury to the extra toes.^[3] Most polydactyl cats live normal, healthy lives.

Do polydactyl cats need special vet care?

Not usually. They benefit from more regular nail checks and occasional inspection of the extra toes, but standard vet care is generally sufficient.

Can polydactyly appear in any cat breed?

Yes. Polydactyly can occur in any breed of cat, including mixed breeds, as well as in stray and feral populations. Maine Coons and Pixie-Bobs are the two breeds most historically associated with it.

How can I tell if my cat is polydactyl?

Simply count the toes. Most cats have five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw, making 18 in total. If your cat has more toes on any of their paws, they are polydactyl.

Are polydactyl cats more expensive?

Cats bred specifically for the polydactyl trait, such as some Maine Coon lines or Pixie-Bobs, can be more expensive than standard-toed cats. However, many polydactyl cats are found in mixed-breed populations and at rescue organisations, where cost varies as it does for any cat.

References

1. Hamelin A, Conchou F, Fusellier M, et al. Genetic heterogeneity of polydactyly in Maine Coon cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2020;22(12):1098-1113. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20905061
2. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA). Polydactyly in Felis catus (domestic cat). OMIA:000810-9685. Available at: https://omia.org/OMIA000810/9685/
3. International Cat Care. Understanding cat anatomy and inherited traits. Available at: https://icatcare.org/articles
4. PDSA. Cat health and welfare guidance. Available at: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub