Cats With Thumbs?

This photo and query appreared on the Coast to Coast A.M. site today.

Have you heard of a cat with thumbs?

I'm not a breeder but wanted to ask if any of you have seen cats with opposing toes that appear to be thumb-like?

Thanks.

Yes, they are called "polydactyl".

Nothing more then a polydactyl cat - extra toes. Not that unusual at all. The danger is that people need to make sure those extra nails get cut!

Yes, we have a male Pixie-Bob that has these *thumbs* on his front feet and extra toes on his back feet also. as GoldenKitty45 said it is VERY important to trim these extra nails or they will cause serious trouble. His front feet look just like mittens.

Originally Posted by TNCatFancier

This photo and query appreared on the Coast to Coast A.M. site today.

Have you heard of a cat with thumbs?

I'm not a breeder but wanted to ask if any of you have seen cats with opposing toes that appear to be thumb-like?

Thanks.

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I have one like that!!! She has 6 toes on all her feet!

Yep, Chuckie does!!
Here's a pic of one of his feet

this made me think of them having actual opposing thumbs. somehow, that frightened me.

Originally Posted by stormy

Yep, Chuckie does!!
Here's a pic of one of his feet

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Here is a picture of one of Mandarin's back feet!!

My parents have one now and we had one when I was growing up. One sort of learned to use her 'thumb' to grab things like pens away from you. She was the best!

I've got a polydactyl kitty with "mitten paws."

-Qit

Polys are SO cute - they do look like mittens awwwww.....

I've definitely heard of polydactyl cats who become quite adept at using their extra toes.

I have to admit that this kind of scares me because I am certain that the only thing that has prevented my cats from taking over the world is their lack of opposable thumbs. As long as I am the only one who can operate the can opener, my place in the household should be secure. But if any of them should develop that capability, I'd be in a huge heap of trouble!

Originally Posted by semiferal

I've definitely heard of polydactyl cats who become quite adept at using their extra toes.

I have to admit that this kind of scares me because I am certain that the only thing that has prevented my cats from taking over the world is their lack of opposable thumbs.

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Aw, Circe'd make a sufficiently benevolent Supreme Dictatrix...and she's spayed, so she'd have to go out and find a heir...

Ehh, Roko wouldn't let Circe be the Supreme Dictatrix anyway, poly or no.

-Qit

Just remember they aren't a breed, it's a deformity and I believe no cats should be allowed to be bred that have this fault.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Just remember they aren't a breed, it's a deformity and I believe no cats should be allowed to be bred that have this fault.

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I'm curious: Do you also think that Manx cats (spina bifida, IIRC) have a "fault" and should not be allowed to reproduce? Or does the fact that they're an established breed make such a difference?

-Qit

I don't think they should be bred either.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I don't think they should be bred either.

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Then at least you're consistent. Most people who malign polys have no problem with selective breeding for rumpies, blue-eyed whites, peke-faces, et cetera.

-Qit

My snowshoe uses his thumbs all the time. He use the fifth toe on both of his formt feet to grab my finger and toys. His sixth toe on the one foot doesn't get any use though. It just kinda sits there. I can post a pic of his feet later on when I get back to my home pc.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Just remember they aren't a breed, it's a deformity and I believe no cats should be allowed to be bred that have this fault.

Click to expand...

What about persians? How did they get the flat face? some would consider that a deformity as well. Am I wrong or does that sometimes cause breathing problems like it does for pugs? I don't know much about persians but I am curious.