Polydactyl cats

Yes, I know this is considered a genetic flaw in cats. I've done a search online to see if there was any particular temprement associated with these cats, which turned up next to nothing.

My question to you, this little cat community, is in your opinion, do polydactyl cats have a particular temprement? I've recently lost my beloved kitty to what they suspected was feline leukemia and a stroke, and am seeking a new kitty; found some, but they're polydactyl and I know little to nothing about this feature on a cat. From the information given, the entire litter was polydactyl, having 7 toes. So I'm wondering if this was bred intentionally, if this alters the cat's disposition.

Or if this was a rather silly question. It sounded more reasonable in my head, actually. But I want to be a well-informed kitty owner. And this is not something I've encountered before.

Any information or resources on polydactyl cats would be appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the board!

Polydactyl's are no different in tempermmant than any other "regular" cat. People can breed for that specific trait, but from what I understand they can just "happen" too. I don't have a poly, but I have seen pictures and heard the stories on here how that they are intelligent as a rule and pick up things with their paws!

Since Polydactyl cats are not a breed per se, and have no true genetic similarity other than the polydactylism itself I see no reason for their temprements to be any different than any other moggie cat. That having been said, there are health issues to concern yourself with as far as the polydactylism goes, and that is mostly to make certain that the extra toes and claws involved aren't causing damage to the paw pad, or its ability to walk. In certain cases what is called a "partial declaw" may be neccesary for the well being of the cat in question, but not always. (it is recommened in cases where the toe is rolled under, witht he claw prone to puncturing thepad, or if the claws are fused together and causing pain for the cat to walk or climb.)

I have 2 polys. Our one female, her name is Aurora, is polydactyl on all 4 feet. She has 2 extra toes on each front foot and 1 extra toe on both back feet. Her front feet look like mittens I observe no personality differences in them, but their feet are really cute and big

I find they are smarter than the other strays I have. I have two polys and they are delightful and wonderful to own.

Chuckie is a polydactyl and his brother Spyder isn't.
They are both silly and sweet boys but Chuckie tends to be a little bit clingy while Spyder isn't. I don't know if that has anthing to do with him having the extra toes are not!

Molly was a poly and she was the sweetest thing!

Thank you guys for the feedback. Always helps to have people wiser than you around.

Having extra toes doesn't change their personality in my opinion. We have a male Pixie-Bob that has extra toes on both front and back. He is very loving and has a great personality. Just be sure to trim the nails on the extra toes or they will cause problems. He doesn't like getting his claws trimmed so when he goes to sleep on me I trim them while he's snoozing.

Circe grips things. Like a little monkey. Or a baby.

-Qit

Originally Posted by Winter Hawk

Having extra toes doesn't change their personality in my opinion. We have a male Pixie-Bob that has extra toes on both front and back. He is very loving and has a great personality. Just be sure to trim the nails on the extra toes or they will cause problems. He doesn't like getting his claws trimmed so when he goes to sleep on me I trim them while he's snoozing.

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They don't always need to be trimmed on the extra claw. That is known as twisted claw. it is usually associated with superclaw, an extra thick claw that is really two or more fused claws with or without fused digits. It is, however, somewhat more common in polydactyl cats. Personality wise, i have heard that they are sometimes more intelligent than their normal footed counterparts. I love them all the same, but it would be neat to have an opposable thumbed cat that could grip stuff. I can't have an indoor cat due to my dad's allergies, and people don't often give outdoor polys away in the paper!

I have a short hair tabby cat, that is polydactyl. Her personality is very strange. She's will freeze into odd positions when you pick her up, if you cover her into blanket, she will stay until you uncover her. That may seem cruel, I never keep her covered. Shes been living with my other cat for over two years now, and still has issues fighting, trying to establish do dominance. She is a lover to me, could lick me for days on end, and talks to me whenever I pet her, and growls when the door bell rings. All of this stuff may seem normal, but her anxiety levels are high, always, and it's hard to put into words her personality. But, she acts like she has some neurological issues, and I was wondering if there's any chance at all, it could do with being a polydactyl cat?