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6-4 toes ?
- Thread starter raju
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Is it 6 on each paw or 6 total for both front paws? If the former, you've got yourself a polydactyl cat, also known as a Hemmingway cat. They are normal except for extra toes. Do a search for polydactyl and you'll find all sort of threads that talk about them.
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It's common for polys to only have extras on the front. In rare cases, the back feet are poly too.
Our poly has odd numbers, 6 on one foot and 7 on another, but he still has 4 on the back. They can have up to 8. In the case of 8, they effectively have 2 feet on each leg. On our cat, the foot with 7 actually has a half-sized pawpad where the 3 extra toes come off. It's like he has 1.5 feet on each leg.
Hemingway was famous for keeping these cats, hence the name.
You'll also find when you do your search that the gene comes in two forms, the "mitten" form where the toes are on the thumb side and a seperate from the main paw, and the "hamburger" form where the toes are part of the main paw and extend from the pinky side. The hamburger gene is actually unstable and causes birth defects in later generations. The mitten gene is a little more stable, though there is some research that the gene is actually "add a toe", so breeding 5 toes to 5 toes gets you 6 toed cats.
Our poly has odd numbers, 6 on one foot and 7 on another, but he still has 4 on the back. They can have up to 8. In the case of 8, they effectively have 2 feet on each leg. On our cat, the foot with 7 actually has a half-sized pawpad where the 3 extra toes come off. It's like he has 1.5 feet on each leg.
Hemingway was famous for keeping these cats, hence the name.
You'll also find when you do your search that the gene comes in two forms, the "mitten" form where the toes are on the thumb side and a seperate from the main paw, and the "hamburger" form where the toes are part of the main paw and extend from the pinky side. The hamburger gene is actually unstable and causes birth defects in later generations. The mitten gene is a little more stable, though there is some research that the gene is actually "add a toe", so breeding 5 toes to 5 toes gets you 6 toed cats.
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Oh please post pics!!
Both of you! (sorry I have an addiction lol).
Zoey is a poly. She has 6 toes on each front paw (mitten style) and 4 toes on one back paw and 4 toes with an extra 'nail' on one paw
Zoey is a poly. She has 6 toes on each front paw (mitten style) and 4 toes on one back paw and 4 toes with an extra 'nail' on one paw
My newest addition, Thumbelina, has 6 toes on each front foot and five toes on each back foot, mittens. Her nickname is Thumbs for obvious reasons!
Dozen2Luv (Regina)
Dozen2Luv (Regina)
I would post a pic of my Mikey and his odd feet but I dont have one...I have never thought to take a picture of his feet before...
his paws are white and the rest of him is tabby like...so it totally looks like mittens.
his paws are white and the rest of him is tabby like...so it totally looks like mittens.
Polydactyls are rare and special
You should definately take pics of his feet
One of my cats, Bing, has one paw pad that is about two in one if that makes sense- the base looks normal, but the top looks like two.. the claw is messed up on it too!
Is that a poly or just a "mistake"?
Is that a poly or just a "mistake"?
Pics!
If its just one paw I dont think it would be a poly.
If its just one paw I dont think it would be a poly.
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Beautiful mitts!!! I love them
OMG Zoey is so cuteOriginally Posted by Sicycat
Oh please post pics!!Both of you! (sorry I have an addiction lol).
Zoey is a poly. She has 6 toes on each front paw (mitten style) and 4 toes on one back paw and 4 toes with an extra 'nail' on one paw
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Only somewhat with the better dexterity and grip. Puppy does use his as opposable thumbs. However, he has less muscle control over those toes as with the others. The extra toes tend to be a little more floppy. He can use them to pick up his food and toys though, and he can open cabinets.
Zoey says thank mew!!!
Yep, that's exactly how Zoey's toes are!
Cats normally have 5 on the front, 4 on the back. Anything more then that is a polydactal - cute for mixed breeds, but not acceptable in purebred breeds
Many polydactal cats do well in the Household Pet classes at shows
Many polydactal cats do well in the Household Pet classes at shows
Are you counting '5' as the dew claw?
Zoey has no dew claw, just the thumb
Five - as in the 4 toes and the one that is a little higher - don't know if you'd call it "dewclaw" as in a dog - its usless - cats do use all 5 claws on their foot. Some call it a "thumb".
