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American Polydactyl
Origin
United States
Height
10"-14"
Adult Weight
7-15 pounds
Life Span
14-16 years
TEMPERAMENT
Intelligent, friendly, affectionate, inquisitive
OTHER NAMES
Hemingway cats
Group
Medium to large-sized shorthair and longhair
Price
$500 - $2,000
Personality and Temperament
Also known as Hemingway cats in honor of the cats that roam Ernest Hemingway’s estate in Florida, most American polydactyl cats are born with at least one extra toe on each front foot. Some polydactyl cats have extra toes on their hind feet as well. A select few have extra toes only on their hind feet and not on their front feet.
Even though the American polydactyl cat is not officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association of America, and even though it is not a specific breed of cat, it is adored for its cute, whimsical appearance. The extra toes on a polydactyl cat’s front paws lends to the illusion that the cat is wearing mittens or perhaps that it has opposable thumbs. Some polydactyl cats have so many extra toes that their paws are double the size of an average cat’s paws.
Some cat fancier clubs recognize all cats with extra toes. They are shown under the general name “American polydactyl cat.” This sometimes leads to confusion, causing newcomers to think that American polydactyl cats are a distinct breed.
The reality is that polydactyl cats can be of any breed, and they can be of any color. The only thing that makes a polydactyl cat stand out from others is the presence of those extra toes, which are caused by a genetic mutation.
Care
Polydactyl cats do not have special nutritional needs. They require the same carnivorous diet eaten by all other domesticated cats. We recommend feeding your polydactyl cat a diet that consists of high-quality cat food.
Just like all other cats, American polydactyl cats benefit from regular grooming. The type of grooming required depends on your cat’s hair coat. Cats will short hair need to be brushed or combed about once per week just to remove excess hair and cut down on shedding, while cats with long hair can benefit from daily brushing and combing.
You should also teach your cat to accept nail trimming from an early age. It’s particularly important to trim a polydactyl cat’s claws as they can sometimes grow at odd angles, leading to discomfort, snagging on things, and being a general nuisance. Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed will spare your furniture and your skin, too!
American polydactyl cats benefit from regular exercise. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight can help reduce excess stress on their joints and feet, ensuring that they remain comfortable as they get older.
Polydactyl cats generally do not have any worrisome health conditions although some toes do have claws that can become ingrown when they aren’t trimmed properly. When their extra digits consist of soft tissue only, they can sometimes be prone to injuries; this is true when extra toes aren’t properly fused to other parts of the cat’s skeletal structure.
Characteristics
Affection Level
100%
Activity Level
50%
Pet-Friendly
90%
Kid-Friendly
90%
Sociability
100%
Intelligence
80%
Playfulness
50%
Independence
50%
Vocality
40%
Grooming
50%
History
Even though the American polydactyl cat isn’t a specific breed, these cats share a unique genetic trait. Polydactyly is caused by a dominant gene that also causes hyperdactyly (extra toes or digits) in other mammals – even humans can carry this gene!
There are different types of polydactyly in cats:
1. Preaxial polydactyly causes extra digits to form on the inside of the paw, causing the cat to appear as if it’s wearing mittens.
2. Postaxial polydactyly causes extra digits to form on the outer edges of the paw, leading to nicknames such as snowshoe cat, patty paws, or pancake paws.
It’s worth noting that Pixie Bob and Maine Coon polydactyl cats are in categories of their own. At one time, an astonishing 40% of all Maine Coon cats had extra toes and it’s still quite common for these kitties to exhibit the polydactyl trait. Some Maine Coon breeders even select for it, as the Maine Coon Polydactyl is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) and some smaller cat fanciers clubs.
Polydactyl Pixie Bob cats are so common that they are permitted to be shown and registered, so long as they have no more than seven toes on each foot.
For now, these are the only polydactyl cat “breeds” that can be shown. Other breed standards disqualify polydactyl cats, saying that they can’t be registered or shown, even if they have just a single extra toe.
The Breed Standard
Body
Variable; depends on the cat’s breed.
Head
Variable depending on breed; may be of any size or shape.
Eyes
Variable depending on breed; may be of any color.
Ears
Variable depending on breed; may be of any size or shape.
Legs & Paws
To be a polydactyl cat, your kitty must have at least one extra toe on at least one foot.
Tail
Variable depending on breed; may be of any shape, size, or length.
Coat
Variable depending on breed; may be long, medium, or short.
Color
Variable depending on breed; may be of any color or pattern.