Two too many toes? Polydactyl cat facts

Updated 27/02/2024

Have you ever seen a cat with extra toes? Whether this is news to you or you’re a proud polydactyl parent, the word is out about polydactyl cats. Although strange to behold, these mitten cats are not as rare as you might think.

We have all the furry facts on cats with extra toes, how to care for our toe bean collectors, and why they are referred to as Hemingway cats. Let’s put one paw forward and pounce on the mystery of the polydactyl cat…

What is a polydactyl cat?

Generally, our feline friends are born with five toe beans on their front paws and four beans should be found on each hind paw. But, every now and again, a fur-baby will be born with a few extra digits. Is this normal? Short answer is, yes!

The word polydactyl sounds like it should belong to a dinosaur. In fact, it comes from the ancient Greek words ‘poly’ meaning ‘many’ and ‘dactyl’ meaning ‘digits’ or ‘toes’. Polydactyl purr-babies can be born with as few as one extra toe on one paw, or as many 18 additional toes across all four paws.

The average polydactyl cat will have one or two extra digits on their front paws. However, some kitties have been found with extra cat toes on their hind legs as well. Polydactyl purrers can be classified into one of three categories:

• Postaxial - meaning a cat’s extra toes are on the outside of their paw/s
• Preaxial - when a cat has extra toes on the inside of their paws, these can look a bit like a thumb and it is the most common form of polydactyly
• Central - when the extra toes sit in the middle of the normal toes a very rare form of polydactyly

If you’ve never checked your cat’s murder mittens, have a look the next time they’re lying down and count their beans. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn you’re co-living with a polydactyl cat.

Which breeds of cats can be polydactyl?

If a cat is polydactyl this doesn’t put them into their own species of cat. A cat with extra toes can be found in any breed. The extra cat toes are caused by an inherited genetic mutation and it can be found in either male or female cats.

Cat breed wise, the polydactyl gene can be found in pretty much any type of kitty. However, the extra toes are more commonly found in Maine Coon cats.

Do polydactyl cats have extra health issues?

There are no known diseases linked to the polydactyl gene. A cat with six toes or more can actually be more agile and have superior balance and stability when climbing. Their extra cat toes offer a wider surface area for them to grip and maintain purr-fect poise. Extra toes often also mean extra claws.

Caring for a polydactyl cat

Polydactyl cats can be cared for like any other cat. However, if your kitty has extra toes that don’t have constant contact with the ground - for example, their dew claws - they may need to be clipped every few weeks. As cat claws are continuously growing, polydactyl cat parents may need to give them an occasional pedicure to stop the claws from becoming too long.

Quick fire facts on polydactyl cats

• The most amount of toe-beans found on a polydactyl cat was 28! Jake the ginger tabby had seven toes on each paw. That’s a lot of extra digits for a frisky feline.
• Polydactyl cats are sometimes referred to as Hemingway cats. The 20th Century literary legend, Ernest Hemingway, adored cats with extra toe beans. After being given a white Maine Coon cat with six toes (who he named Snow White) he fell head-over-paws for all cats with extra toes. His old home Hemingway House in Key West, Florida is now a museum and shelter for approximately 60 polydactyl cats, many of which can be traced back to his original polydactyl cat Snow White.
• Cats with extra digits are considered to be good luck in certain cultures. Why? It could be to do with their amazing ability to balance and climb. Whatever it may be, people seem to love these kitty companions.
• It’s rare to find polydactyl cats outside of the United Kingdom or North America. The autosomal dominant trait - or extra cat toe gene - is most commonly found in these parts of the world.

Meet our veterinary expert, Gemma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Gemma Cliffin BSc BVSc MRCVS. Gemma is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet, and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.

Hopefully, you’re now the cat's pajamas when it comes to polydactyl cat facts. However, if you have any additional questions about polydactyl cats and their extra digits, as a TrustedHousesitters member, you can contact our 24/7 Vet Advice line at any time while on a sit. If you're a proud polydactyl parent, why not find other toe bean enthusiasts near you who could become your next cat sitter.