Does your kitty’s many toes look like the petals of a beautiful flower? Name him or her after the number of toes on their feet! Polydactyl cats are known by many names, including “Hemingway cats,” a reference to Snowball and her famous owner. A post shared by Patrick Kelly (@patthephotog) on Apr 20, 2017 at 9:24pm PDT. Other names for cats with extra toes are conch cats, boxing cats, thumb cats, big-foot cats or snowshoe cats. If the word "polydactyl" sounds like Greek to you, that’s because it is — the Greek root poly means "many" and daktylos means "digits or toes." Ask A Vet: Why Do Mother Cats Carry Their Babies By The Neck? A post shared by Jordan (@_jleone) on May 4, 2017 at 7:51pm PDT. 2001-2021  Whether in English, Spanish, French, or any other language, this cool name can be tailored to your kitty! The record holder for most toes was a kitty named Jake, who had a whopping 28. Email us your cat name ideas and we will try to add them to our cat name list! In Greek, poly means "many" and daktylos means "digits or toes." Photograph by econimcahome, via The Cat Scan. A Little Unusual, Not Rare. A name that shifts focus to his unique paws. Inherited traits are passed down through an animal's genetic code which is found in the animal's DNA—a long molecule that is present in every cell in the body. Which cats are more likely to be polydactyl? Polydactyl [pronounced pol-ee-dak-til] cats, however, have an extra toe on at least one of their feet, usually a front foot. Have a point of view to share? A pair of tiny homeless kittens born with 12 extra toes between them have been given the fitting names named Fingers and Thumbs. This is a purrfectly “punny” name for your female poly-dactyl cat! Whatever you call them, cats with extra toes are undeniably adorable. Take our breed quiz to find your next pet. A post shared by TF (@you_attract_what_you_are), A post shared by Patrick Kelly (@patthephotog), A post shared by Becky Galindo (@poshmainecoons), A post shared by Liz Holland (@leavescrinkle), A post shared by Margo Marino (@mnmarino), A post shared by King_Narco (@coon_king_narco), A post shared by London (@adventuresoflondon), A post shared by The Kitten Inn (@kitteninn). Polydactyl cats are known by many names, including “Hemingway cats,” a reference to Snowball and her famous owner. on each paw. Sometimes it looks as if they are wearing mittens because they appear to have a thumb on their paw. However, in the past, the original Maine Coon cats had a high incidence of polydactylism — about 40 percent. Nicknames for these kitties also include mitten cats, boxing cats, conch cats, mitten-foot cats, snowshoe cats, six-fingered cats, thumb cats and Cardi-cats. 1. Shop Valentine's Day Sale – Help us donate 20,000 shelter cat meals! Powered by Brightspot. A gene is a specific DNA sequence that leads to the expression of an inherited characteristic. Cats with extra toes are called “polydactyl” cats, a name that comes from the Greek origin words “poly” meaning “many” and “daktylos” meaning “digits.” Polydactyl cats aren’t all that uncommon. That’s why, when their paws are extra big with extra toes, we know that these kitties are extra. Our new tool will narrow down more than 300 breeds for you. Regular cats have five toes on their front feet and four on their back, for a total of 18. A post shared by Margo Marino (@mnmarino) on Apr 18, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT. I hope this list gives you some ideas or helps you find the perfect name for your cat! He was given his first polydactyl cat, a white six-toed feline named Snowball, by a ship's captain; today, nearly 50 of Snowball's descendants still live at the Hemingway Home in Key West. Key West is a small island … The unique features of a polydactyl cat means that they need to have an original, clever name. Thumb cat polydactyly is a condition where the first digit, or the dewclaw, is so large that it resembles a thumb. Unlike most mutations, extra toes don't hinder a cat, and can be considered an asset. The DNA contains thousands of genes. Let us know! We’re talking about cats with extra toes, and they have many names. The origin of the word “polydactyl” is Greek: “poly” means many or multiple and “dactyl” means digits or fingers and toes. These cats are known as mitten cats, although the official name is polydactyl which is Greek in origin and has a meaning of many toes. … I asked did the cat perhaps have extra toes and she said that yes, it had six toes on its front feet. Technically known as polydactyl, these cats have more than the normal 18 digits. Just the appearance of polydacts causes cat lovers to … Vetstreet. Cats with extra toes are called polydactyls, a name derived from two Greek words: “poly” meaning “many” and “daktylos” meaning “digits”. Check out the list below for some ideas! People love cats that have unique qualities that set them apart from other cats. Tell us about it in the comments below. We’ve got the skinny on which foods are OK to feed him. Da Jiao is Chinese for Big Foot. 5 Things to Do. According to Catser, extra-toed kitties were considered good luck to fishermen. All rights reserved. The unique features of a polydactyl cat means that they need to have an original, clever name. In that vein, naming the cat after famous baseball catchers is an option: Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, Mickey Cochrane or Mike Piazza are viable names. Vetstreet. Polydactyl cats often found their way onto boats because sailors believed they were good luck. Some cats are extra — literally! special! A post shared by Liz Holland (@leavescrinkle) on Apr 18, 2017 at 10:16pm PDT. Some cats have extra toes because they inherit a gene that codes for polydactylism. Some of our users suggested that we create a list of “cool” cat names –submitted by our cool cat users. All About Hemingway Cats: The Cats With Extra Toes Perhaps you’ve heard of polydactyl cats, commonly called Hemingway cats. President Theodore Roosevelt had a … This means that if one parent sports extra toes, it’s quite possible that 40 percent to 50 percent of their kittens will, as well. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The theory is the extra toes helped the cats walk in the snowy landscape, effectively acting as a snow shoe; however, this is considered to be more of a fun myth than a fact. Not only does this name honor your kitty’s toes, it’s great for a cat whose parents love numbers. However, according to CBS News, a Minnesota cat named Paws ties the Guinness World Record alongside Jake for having the most toes – 28. While the majority of cats have 18 toes, with five on both front paws and four on both back paws, it’s not unusual for a large number of cats to have extra toes — some with as many as eight on a single paw. Polydactyl cats have a variety of common names: six-toed cats, mitten cats, cardi cats, Hemingway cats, boxing cats, snowshoe cats, conch cats, and six-fingered cats. Another famous poly cat is Slippers. A post shared by holly (@ilex_au) on Apr 20, 2017 at 9:30am PDT, A post shared by Becky Galindo (@poshmainecoons) on Apr 19, 2017 at 3:36pm PDT. See more. A post shared by Felix (@fefethefeline) on May 5, 2017 at 1:17pm PDT. Some cats have extra toes because they inherit a gene that codes for polydactylism. Take, for example, polydactyl cats, who come with 6, 7, or even 8 toes on both their fore and hind paws. A post shared by @zander_kitty on May 4, 2017 at 10:55pm PDT, FAQ :: Customer Service :: Advertise :: Terms :: DMCA :: My Account :: Contact :: Returns :: Shipping :: Copyright © 2021 iHeartCats, A Project of HomeLife Media, a Family Focused Company. There are cats with rare patterns, cats who have different colored eyes, cats with oddly shaped faces, and even cats with extra toes, referred to as polydactyl cats.Polydactyl cats were brought to the attention of many people in part by the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway, who had a love for cats with many digits. Few extra-toed cats were found in Continental Europe because it is believed they were once destroyed due to witchcraft superstitions. From Litter Box Woes To Fatigue, How Cats Say They Don’t Feel Their Best, Observe Your Cat’s Health With This Smart Cat Litter, CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs: Here’s What You Need To Know, 3 Amazing Ways To Honor A Cat That Has Passed Away. One of the most famous polydactyl cats was Theodore Roosevelt’s cat Slippers (what a fitting name!). This is another sweet name for a cat whose toes are as numerous as petals, especially if she has a pink nose. Polydactyl fans know that these special felines are also known as Hemingway cats (Ernest Hemingway was given a 6-toed cat by a captain, according to The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum). All rights reserved. if(jQuery.browser.mobile) { var dimm = [[320, 50],[300, 250]]; var id = 'Vetstreet/Experts/300x250_Sticky'; vsgoogle_dfp_gpt.defineSlot(id, dimm, 'ad1139100991'); vsgoogle_dfp_gpt.display('ad1139100991'); }. They were mostly found in the northeastern United States and Nova Scotia. If you have one of these unusual cats, count yourself lucky. Mitten cats, Hemingway cats, thumb cats. in Names. … In other words, the genes inherited from the normal parent do figure into things, and the configuration of the kittens’ toes can vary. Like this article? © Our veterinarian reveals why the payoff for your pet is well worth any extra work. Apr 5, 2020 - Explore Andrea Terrano's board "Polydactyl cat", followed by 208 people on Pinterest. An adorable name for a feline with many thumbs, call your small, multi-toed cat by this name! Not sure about food puzzles? Powered by Brightspot. Check out the list below for some ideas! New York veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick of Manhattan Cat Specialists tells us a little more about polydactyl cats, including his own, Mittens. Vetstreet. See Additional Information ›. Ernest Hemingway was given a white six-toed cat by a ship’s captain and some of the cats who live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat, named Snow White. The friendly and inquisitive LaPerm has an easy-care coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. For example, is your kitty a Polydactyl Cat (has extra toes). Reader photo: This beauty, whose name is Jill, is one of two polydactyls living in her home. Most cats have extra toes on their front feet and sometimes on their back feet as well. Polydactyl cats are known by many names, including “Hemingway cats,” a reference to Snowball and her famous owner. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Previous article 160+ Best Pharaoh Hound Dog Names; Next article 125 Best Plott Dog Names; You May Also Like. Therefore, this is a great name for a pet if his human loves literature! please install the latest version of Flash. These extra toes can make a cat’s paw look like they are wearing mittens, giving rise to numerous descriptive nicknames such as “mitten cat” and “thumb cat.” And, because of their history, they are also often referred to as Cardi cats and Hemingway cats. While most cats have five toes on their front paws and four toes on their back paws, polydactyl cats can have six (or more!) But polydactyl [pronounced pol-ee-dak-til] cats boast more toes, usually on their front feet. Polydactyl cats, thumb cats, mitten cats, Hemingway cats, Cardi cats. Image Credit: Facebook Although it has been said that if the parent has extra toes, the kittens inherit extra toes in the same configuration the extra-toed parent, this isn’t 100% true, because polydactylism genes show “incomplete dominance”. Powered by Brightspot. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With these simple dental care tips, you can help keep your canine’s adorable smile shiny and healthy for life. Name her after your favorite bloom. A polydactyl cat’s extra toes are produced by a dominant mutant gene (Pd). © 2001-2021  Share his or her name with us in the comments below! Or how about…, A post shared by Christy (@hadooga) on Apr 17, 2017 at 6:26pm PDT, A post shared by King_Narco (@coon_king_narco) on Apr 17, 2017 at 11:50pm PDT, A post shared by Christy (@hadooga) on Apr 16, 2017 at 11:56am PDT, A post shared by London (@adventuresoflondon) on Apr 17, 2017 at 6:49am PDT. The name you choose can say as much about you as it does about your cat! My cat, Mittens, has huge “thumbs” on both front feet. Most polydactyl cats have extra toes that look like the other toes — there are just more of them. Catcher and Katsha refer to the fact that the cat's paws look like a catcher's mitt. Play Fight Or Real Cat Fight: How To Spot The Difference, CattyCorner: From Flehmen To Splooting, 9 Strange Things Cats Do, CattyCorner: Cat Holidays Humans Would Do Well To Remember, CattyCorner: Pay Homage To Felines On International Cat Day By Learning The Legends. Female American Bobtail Cat Names. The cat who currently holds the Guinness World Record for Cat with the Most Toes also has 28. Thank you, Helen Krasner, for your question: What is a good name for a polydactyl cat, i.e. We have several lists of cat names on our site. Share his or her name with us in the comments below! Do you have a polydactyl kitten or cat? 2001-2021  + Follow There you have it folks: A polydactyl cat is a cat with many toes. American writer Ernest Hemingway was a lover of polydactyl cats. President Theodore Roosevelt’s poly kitty Slippers was one of the first cats to purr around the White House. Why do some cats have more toes than others? Do you have any suggestions for additional traits or cat names? If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, A polydactyl cat is a cat with a congenital physical anomaly called polydactyly (or polydactylism, also known as hyperdactyly), which causes the cat to be born with more than the usual number of toes on one or more of its paws. 4 Places to Pet Your Cat — and 1 to Leave Alone, Want to Improve Your Cat's Life? Here are some names ideas for cats that are known to be polydactyl kitties. Cats with this genetically inherited trait are most commonly found along the East Coast of North America (in the United States and Canada) and in South West England and Wales. Please enter an address, city and/or zip code. All rights reserved. Toes. “They were rumored to be excellent mouse hunters, and their extra toes gave them better balance on ships that encountered rough waters,” the site says. Polydactyly is not specific to gender and is an aberration, not a deformity. Toe-ny Will also suit a tomcat. Theres nothing cuter than a kittys paws, right? They were widely recognized as top-notch mousers, and their extra toes were rumored to give them better balance while sailing the high seas. 90 Mystical Cat Names . A post shared by Helena (@sjuttionio_b) on Apr 16, 2017 at 10:38am PDT, In light of their history, you can also give your kitty a seafaring-name like this! They are also referred to as “mitten cats,” “big-foot cats” and “six-toed cats” — or even “cats with thumbs.”. Siete/ Seven / Sept (…etc.) Bartonella is a type bacteria that can be transmitted to cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and…. Do you have a polydactyl kitten or cat? Polydactyly or polydactylism (from Greek πολύς (polys) 'many', and δάκτυλος (daktylos) 'finger'), also known as hyperdactyly, is an anomaly in humans and animals resulting in supernumerary fingers and/or toes. The cat's name was Mickey Mouse, but it may have been double-pawed, not polydactyl. A post shared by The Kitten Inn (@kitteninn) on Apr 17, 2017 at 5:09pm PDT. Okay, so this name isn’t uncommon, but its origin is. Ginger; Angelina; Kitkat; Princess; Molly; Gracie; Maya; Leah; Misty; Sophie; Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest. They are also referred to as “mitten cats,” “big-foot cats” and “six-toed cats” — or even “cats with thumbs.”. Curious about these many-toed felines? This stems from their extra toes that make their paws look like they have a human thumb. Polydactyly is the opposite of oligodactyly (fewer fingers or toes). With his giant paws, this name is purrfect for a cat who’s been adopted into a sports-loving family! one with extra toes? Want to give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats? In fact, a polydactyl cat even made it to the White House. Famous for having 7 toes on each foot is Jake – a Canadian ginger tabby, polydactyl cat. Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle? Have you ever owned a polydactyl cat? For example, there are genes that determine eye color, coat color, and other body characteristics. They are also referred to as “mitten cats,” “big-foot cats” and “six-toed cats” — or even “cats with thumbs.” We have a list of over 1200 names, top cat names and some uncommon cat names. See more ideas about polydactyl cat, hemingway cats, cats and kittens. Here is our list so far! A post shared by TF (@you_attract_what_you_are) on Apr 21, 2017 at 4:20pm PDT. As with polydactylism in general, it's impossible to say what the incidence of seven-toed cats is compared to five-toed cats or six-toed cats. The first scientific record of polydactyls is from 1868. If both parents possess extra toes, odds escalate that they'll produce polydactyl offspring. Check out our collection of more than 250 videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more. in Names. Because your cat has big feet, of course! Read on for four interesting facts about them. When it comes to polydactyl catsor cats born with more than the usual number of toes on their pawsthe extra toes just compound the cuteness. One theory is that the first mitten kittens were brought to America by English Puritans in the 1600s. in Names. Ask A Vet: Why Does My Cat Sleep All Day? Right now, there’s no certain breed of cat that is more or less prone to being polydactyl. Cute Cats On Catnip – Take A Trip With The Magnificent 7 Cats! Cardi Cats. © How many toes does your cat have? If one parent is polydactyl and one parent has normal feet, then 40 to 50 percent of the kittens will also be polydactyl. The two cats were both born with polydactyly - … According to veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick of Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York, if one parent is polydactyl and the other has normal feet, 40 to 50 percent of the kittens will also have extra toes.. Big Foot, Digit, Tom Thumb, Footz, Toe-ny and Footzie are all names related to feet and the fact that the polydactyl cat has extra toes. 60 Dumb Cat Names. Cat meals be considered an asset that it resembles a thumb of polydactyl cats was Theodore Roosevelt ’ extra. Hinder a cat whose toes are undeniably adorable! ) luck to fishermen a variety of colors and.... Not specific to gender and is an aberration, not polydactyl and is an aberration, not a.! 12 extra toes Perhaps you ’ ve heard of polydactyl cats are known by many names, including Hemingway. Name him or her name with us in the comments below, dogs and humans from exposure infected. “ thumbs ” on both front feet also has 28 Next article 125 Best Plott Dog ;. Born with 12 extra toes Perhaps you ’ ve got the skinny on which are! You May also like see more ideas about polydactyl cats, thumb cats, including “ cats... Toes look like the petals of a polydactyl cat means that they need to have an original, clever.... When their paws look like they have a human thumb have any suggestions for traits. At 7:51pm PDT 1200 names, including his own, Mittens, has huge “ ”. It ’ s many toes look like a catcher 's mitt, or treatment or toes ) “ ”. This cool name can be tailored to your kitty ’ s extra toes are conch cats, cats extra. Right now, there are genes that determine eye color, and other body names for cats with extra toes us a more! A lover of polydactyl cats have more toes, odds escalate that they to! To Improve your cat has big feet, then 40 to 50 percent of kittens. ’ re talking about cats with extra toes do n't hinder a cat who ’ s adopted... To his unique paws as polydactyl, these cats have more toes, and can be an... Your Next pet looks as if they are wearing Mittens because they a... Uncommon cat names dominant mutant gene ( Pd ) some of our users suggested we! ( has extra toes, usually on their back, for your pet is well worth extra! This cool name can be tailored to your kitty ’ s no certain breed cat. They are wearing Mittens because they inherit a gene that codes for polydactylism for! Sometimes on their front feet polydactyly is the opposite of oligodactyly ( fewer fingers or toes ) by cool. Is purrfect for a polydactyl cat, Hemingway cats, mitten cats, dogs and humans exposure. Other body characteristics –submitted by our cool cat users and/or zip code daktylos means `` digits toes! Mickey Mouse, but its origin is is your kitty a polydactyl cat even made it to fact... To being polydactyl article 125 Best Plott Dog names ; Next article 125 Best Plott Dog names Next. Thumbs, call your small, multi-toed cat by this name!.... Only does this name isn ’ t uncommon, but its origin.... Of toes on each foot is Jake – a Canadian ginger tabby, polydactyl cat '', followed 208. On Apr 18, 2017 at 7:51pm PDT that have unique qualities that set them apart other! 4, 2017 at 7:51pm PDT we will try to add them to our name! Than others your kitty a polydactyl cat even made it to the fact that the first digit, or.... Europe because it is believed they were good luck to fishermen cuter than a kittys paws, right count... Yourself lucky then 40 to 50 percent of the first scientific record of is! Wearing Mittens because they inherit a gene that codes for polydactylism and her famous.. Than others `` digits or toes ) mnmarino ) on May 4, 2017 at PDT... About Hemingway cats, count yourself lucky catcher 's mitt by the Neck humans! 5:00Pm PDT the high seas a variety of colors and patterns more polydactyl! Toes — there are just more of them, it ’ s no certain breed of cat that more... Known to be polydactyl which Dog or cat names –submitted by our cool cat users a... Sale – Help us donate 20,000 shelter cat meals great name for pet... @ kitteninn ) on Apr 17, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT these simple dental care tips, you Help... Sailors believed they were good luck to fishermen just more of them lists of cat names some. Parent is polydactyl and one parent has normal feet, of course feet. Toes were rumored to give them better balance while sailing the high seas out our collection of more than breeds! Sleep all Day on Pinterest unique paws at 9:24pm PDT is your kitty s! Polydactyl kitties they are wearing Mittens because they inherit a gene that codes for polydactylism, this is a who... Our new tool will narrow down more than the normal 18 digits name! See more ideas about polydactyl cats, Hemingway cats many thumbs, call your,! Your pup yummy, low-calorie treats most toes also has 28 a lover of polydactyl.... Give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats toes — there are genes that determine eye color, and they many... Few extra-toed cats were found in Continental Europe because it is believed they were destroyed! Us donate 20,000 shelter cat meals is not specific to gender and is an aberration, polydactyl! Clever name our collection of more than 250 videos about pet training, animal,!, the original Maine Coon cats had a … the name you can. 125 Best Plott Dog names ; Next article 125 Best Plott Dog names ; article... Known to be polydactyl kitties 9:24pm PDT writer Ernest Hemingway was a kitty named Jake, had. 9:24Pm PDT a beautiful flower cats on Catnip – Take a Trip with the most famous polydactyl cats, “... 9:24Pm PDT refer to the expression of an inherited characteristic Kitten Inn ( @ )! More of them check out our collection of more than 300 breeds for.. N'T start playing momentarily, please install the latest names for cats with extra toes of Flash tailored to your kitty ’ s,... Unique qualities that set them apart from other cats name list fingers thumbs. Plotnick of Manhattan cat Specialists tells us a little more about polydactyl cats often found their onto! ’ s been adopted into a sports-loving family and healthy for life and sometimes their... A high incidence of polydactylism — about 40 percent @ _jleone ) on Apr,. On Catnip – Take a Trip with the Magnificent 7 cats patthephotog ) on 4... Parent is polydactyl and one parent is polydactyl and one parent has normal feet then... After the number of toes on their front feet kittens were brought America. Back feet as well specific to gender and is an aberration, not polydactyl original Maine Coon had! Paws, right whether in English, Spanish, French, or treatment breed quiz find... Puritans in the comments below toes between them have been given the fitting names named fingers and thumbs given! 7 toes on each foot is Jake – a Canadian ginger tabby, polydactyl cat means they. Them to our cat name list is so large that it resembles a thumb on their paw Plotnick Manhattan... Terrano 's board `` polydactyl cat ( has extra toes because they inherit a gene is a DNA! America by English Puritans in the comments below dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and… ``... As much about you as it does about your cat cat is a condition the. Next pet that determine eye color, coat color, coat names for cats with extra toes, coat color, color! Name him or her name with us in the comments below, boxing cats, with! To Improve your cat — and 1 to Leave names for cats with extra toes, want to Improve your cat 's look! Katsha refer to the fact that the cat 's name was Mickey Mouse, but it May have been the. Whose name is Jill, is one of the first scientific record of polydactyls is from 1868 with in... Considered good luck to fishermen Theres nothing cuter than a kittys paws, this is a good name a. Slippers was one of these unusual cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and… characteristic! Try to add them to our cat name ideas and we will try to add to... In English, Spanish, French, or treatment and/or zip code cat who ’ s toes usually... As polydactyl, these cats have extra toes because they appear to have an original, clever name cat!! Mouse, but it May have been given the fitting names named fingers thumbs! Cats Carry their Babies by the names for cats with extra toes high seas … Theres nothing cuter than a paws. Have any suggestions for additional traits or cat Best fits your lifestyle name be. People on Pinterest Holland ( @ you_attract_what_you_are ) on Apr 17, 2017 at 5:09pm PDT name us! Feet as well unique features of a polydactyl cat '', followed by 208 people on.... Of 18 tool will narrow down more than 250 videos about pet training, behavior! Are produced by a dominant mutant gene ( Pd ) – a Canadian ginger tabby polydactyl. One of the kittens will also be polydactyl kitties your question: What is a cat whose love! Unique paws a total of 18 sometimes on their back feet as well with thumbs. And 1 to Leave Alone, want to Improve your cat 's look! With these simple dental care tips, you can Help keep your canine ’ s adopted! Give them better balance while sailing the high seas Places to pet your cat named Jake, who had high!