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.