Cats with extra toes are called polydactyl cats. Polydactyly is Greek for many fingers. Other common names for cats with extra toes are Cardi cats, Hemingway cats, mitten cats, and thumb cats. Even though polydactyl cats are different than other cats, they shouldn’t be treated differently!
All cats have, on average, 18 toes – 10 on the front paws and 8 on the hind paws. But, sometimes, cats are born with one or two extra toes (although the record is 28!), these cats are called polydactyl.
Ernest Hemingway loved cats with extra toes, and because of that they are also commonly known as Hemingway cats.
What causes a cat to have extra toes?
Polydactyly on cats is a genetic mutation. Some cats are simply born with extra toes. This trait is hereditary, which means a cat with extra toes will probably have offspring with extra toes – although the number of toes may vary.
There’s no explanation as to why this genetic mutation exists. It might’ve happened for no reason at all. It could also be the next evolutionary step for cats, as extra toes carry a certain advantage when it’s time to move around or hunt.
At the end of the day, there’s no reason to worry about why this happens – you only have to enjoy how cute the extra toes are!
What percentage of cats have extra toes?
Depending on where you live, cats having extra toes could be more common than you’d think. Polydactyl cats are quite common in the Northern hemisphere, especially in places like America or Great Britain.
There’s not an exact number of how common or rare this genetic mutation is, but we do know that there are different types of polydactyl cats – and some are more common than others.
Cats with extra toes on their front paws are somewhat common, extra toes on the hind legs alone are rare, and extra toes on all four paws are extra rare.
Polydactyly is so rare some people believe it’s a sign of good luck, like a 4-leaf clover.
Is there something wrong if my cat has extra toes?
There’s nothing wrong with a polydactyl cat. You may not be used to seeing extra toes on a cat, but that doesn’t mean something is wrong. Other than the few extra toes on their paws, polydactyl cats have nothing to worry about.
An extra toe or two doesn’t harm your cat’s health, balance, or wellbeing. It’s nothing but an aesthetic change – one that doesn’t bother your cat at all!
What should I do if my cat has extra toes?
If your cat has extra toes, you should pay that no mind! The only thing you should worry about is making sure there are enough scratching posts around for so many toes. That way, all its many claws will be sharp and good!
If you have a polydactyl cat, you shouldn’t believe something is wrong – it’s the other way around! More toes mean better hunting skills, more strength to grab and climb, and an overall advantage over other cats.