What Is a Polydactyl Cat? The term polydactyly means many toes. This is caused by a genetic trait that occurs in certain felines whose parents passed this trail down through their lineage. This dominant gene can produce up to seven toes on each paw.
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Are polydactyl cats rare?
How rare are polydactyl cats? Polydactyl cats are not rare are all. In fact, they’re very common.
How much is a polydactyl cat worth?
Breed Information
The price of a polydactyl cat can vary widely. In most cases, this breed can range anywhere from $600 to as much as $13,00. The price will greatly depend on the marking, its parents, the type, bloodline, the breeder and the quality.
What is so special about polydactyl cats?
Polydactyl cats have more than the usual number of toes on one or more of their paws. These kitties are born with an abnormal, dominant genetic mutation called polydactylism. While the polydactyl cat’s appearance is quite unique, the polydactyl gene is somewhat common.
Are polydactyl cats more friendly?
They can be mischievous, playful, skittish or friendly. In most cases, there are no additional personality traits that set these cats apart. However, those extra toes can give them an advantage over their eighteen toed relatives.
Are polydactyl cats inbred?
Polydactyl cats are not inbred, this is simply a genetic condition passed down from one of your kitten’s parents. Though it may not be a big deal for your kitten, it’s best to talk to your vet to see if they think any treatment is needed to keep your cat healthy and happy.
Do polydactyl cats cost more?
What’s the Price of American Polydactyl Kittens? If you are searching for American Polydactyl kittens for sale you must know they can cost quite a bit—ranging from $500 to $1,300, depending on a few different factors. There are two types of Polydactyl cats.
Do polydactyl cats have health problems?
Are there any health issues associated with polydactyl cats? Polydactyl cats are generally healthy and have an average life span. But those extra toes can grow at unusual angles and cause problems with the cat’s claws and skin on the foot.
How rare are polydactyl cats percentage?
Today, there are about 40 to 50 polydactyl cats—some of them Snow White’s own descendants—that still live at the Hemingway Home & Museum and are protected as historical treasures. His affection for extra-toed felines is the reason why polydactyl cats are often called “Hemingway cats” today.
How do you care for a polydactyl cat?
Most polydactyls get around just fine with multiple toes and don’t require special care. However, polydactyls’ nails do need regular trimming, as they can become ingrown, causing pain and infection. Have your vet inspect your cat’s paws regularly to see whether there are any issues related to his extra digits.
Can polydactyl cats pick things up?
Other Names for Polydactyl Cats
Some polydactyl felines have an extra digit on the side of their front paws, which acts like an opposable human thumb. It’s been said that these kitties can use their paws to perform amazing stunts, such as picking things up, opening latches and windows, and even opening cabinet doors.
Do polydactyl cats live longer?
On average, a healthy Polydactyl will weigh somewhere in the region of 10-20 pounds, with a life expectancy of up to 15 years. Outdoor cats, regardless of breed, have a far lower life expectancy than indoor cats, usually surviving for less than 5 years.
Can you declaw a polydactyl cat?
Removing Claws for Safety
These cats go home with no bandages, and I emphasize that this is absolutely not like a declaw. These claws are often smaller, may be growing aberrantly and are never walked on — so recovery is quick and quite painless.
Is polydactyly painful in cats?
The extra digit varies in structure, consisting of only soft tissues or connecting to inappropriate bone structure, making the feline prone to injury. The nail beds of the extra toes can be fused together at birth, resulting in painful claw abnormalities due to irregular growth.
Is polydactyly more common in males or females?
Polydactyly is twice as common among men. It occurs in 1 in 1,000 births in the general population. It’s found more frequently in the African American population, occurring in 1 in 150 births.
Why do cats purr and then bite you?
Some kitty lovers call this a ‘love bite’, others call it petting aggression. It’s a controversial subject but it’s believed that if your cat suddenly bites you for no apparent reason, it could be because they are being overstimulated by the constant stroking – which you thought they were enjoying!
Is polydactyly a birth defect?
Polydactyly is a condition in which a person has more than five fingers per hand or five toes per foot. It is the most common birth defect of the hand and foot. Polydactyly can occur as an isolated finding such that the person has no other physical anomalies or intellectual impairment.
Can you breed 2 polydactyl cats together?
But if the cat does have extra toes on the back paws, he will also have extra toes in the front. Breeding two polydactyl cats does not guarantee that all offspring will also be polydactyl cats. Typically, however, if one parent is polydactyl, 40-50% of the kittens will be too.
Is polydactyly due to incest?
As polydactyly is usually caused by a random mutation, only one of the parents would be affected and so inbreeding does not increase the likelihood of a child developing polydactyly. If both parents were polydactyls, then the likelihood of the child being affected is 75% but this is not increased by inbreeding.
What color are polydactyl cats?
The reality is that polydactyl cats can be of any breed, and they can be of any color. The only thing that makes a polydactyl cat stand out from others is the presence of those extra toes, which are caused by a genetic mutation.
What are the odds of a cat being polydactyl?
It is a simple autosomal dominant trait, which means just one parent needs to carry the gene for it to be potentially passed on to the kittens. If the mother or father cat has the genetic mutation, each kitten in the litter has about a 50 percent chance of being polydactyl, too.