Polydactyl Kittens have additional toes. Most cats have five paws, but polydactyl cats have six. Polydactyly is more prevalent in various places. Male, female, big, and small cats are affected.
Polydactyly gives cats 4-7 toes. Cats rarely have all-paw polydactyly. Polydactyly doesn't impair cats' health. It makes trimming your cat's nails harder, yet many happy, healthy cats have extra toes.
The extra toes of a polydactyl cat develop in the centre of the paw, making a thumb-like structure. Extra fingers look like thumbs but can't be used to pinch or grip.
Polydactyl cats' toes are adorable and beneficial. Polydactyl cats' wider, bigger paws help them balance, climb, hunt, and catch prey. Polydactyl cats need a scratching post. Extra feet can damage furniture.
Sailors believed polydactyl cats brought luck. Ships once carried polydactyl cats. Big, wide paws make polydactyl cats excellent mousers, keeping ship supplies rodent-free. Their paws aided in difficult water.
These were well received by Hemingway. After the captain of his ship handed him Snow Ball, Ernest Hemingway developed a fondness for polydactyl cats.
Maine coon cats evolved in frigid environments, therefore they have insulated, large paws. 40% of Maine coons have extra digits. Polydactyly provided Maine coons winter paws.