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i dont know where to look .....i need some advise on these type of cats. i just got two. almost 7weeks old is there anything i should know
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polydactyly cats
- Thread starter angel rain
- Start Date
What type of claw configuration do they have? There are different types.
Most polydactyls will benefit from having their nails clipped often so it's a good idea to get the kittens used to their paws being touched/handled at a young age. Some polydactyl types are more likely to have extra claws that they can't sharpen due to the configuration/location so these can grow thick or curl around if you don't trim them.
Some cats who have "thumbs" on their front feet may also have claws hidden underneath the thumbs, so you have to be extra careful to keep an eye on the "hidden" claws so they don't get too long. To describe this-- if you look at a regular cat, you will see the dewclaw which is up a little higher on the front leg from the other claws. If your cat has a "thumb" on the leg, the thumb may be right above their dewclaw so it is almost on top of it and the dewclaw is kinda hidden underneath (especially if they have long hair).
My polydactyl is a Maine Coon and she has "thumbs" and being a Maine Coon she has very furry feet, so her dewclaws are totally hidden between her thumbs and all the fuzz underneath them so you cannot see them, and you have to sorta move her thumb out of the way to get to the dewclaw to trim it. She can't sharpen those claws since it's totally padded by her fur and thumbs.
Here is some good info on polydactyls: http://www.messybeast.com/poly-cats.html
Most polydactyls will benefit from having their nails clipped often so it's a good idea to get the kittens used to their paws being touched/handled at a young age. Some polydactyl types are more likely to have extra claws that they can't sharpen due to the configuration/location so these can grow thick or curl around if you don't trim them.
Some cats who have "thumbs" on their front feet may also have claws hidden underneath the thumbs, so you have to be extra careful to keep an eye on the "hidden" claws so they don't get too long. To describe this-- if you look at a regular cat, you will see the dewclaw which is up a little higher on the front leg from the other claws. If your cat has a "thumb" on the leg, the thumb may be right above their dewclaw so it is almost on top of it and the dewclaw is kinda hidden underneath (especially if they have long hair).
My polydactyl is a Maine Coon and she has "thumbs" and being a Maine Coon she has very furry feet, so her dewclaws are totally hidden between her thumbs and all the fuzz underneath them so you cannot see them, and you have to sorta move her thumb out of the way to get to the dewclaw to trim it. She can't sharpen those claws since it's totally padded by her fur and thumbs.
Here is some good info on polydactyls: http://www.messybeast.com/poly-cats.html
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