Polydactyl Maine Coons:

Polydactyl cats, also known as Hemingway cats, get their name from the original Greek word polydactyly, which means multiple or extra toes. Unlike humans, dogs, or any other species, where this trait is not so common, in felines it’s pretty standard and primarily affects cats in the United States, Wales, and England. The average cat usually has 18 toes, with four on the back legs and five on the front legs. A polydactyl cat may have up to eight toes on each paw.

Polydactyl cats are born with extra toes due to a genetic mutation that was first recorded on ships from Boston and passed on to them by one of their parents. A kitten born with this mutation is in no danger and  lead a normal life like any other cat. 

Many myths and folk stories surround these animals that are also known as Hemingway cats, taking their name from the famous writer, and a recognized fact about him is that he was the owner of many cats and more than half of them were polydactyl. In addition, polydactyly was most prevalent in the Maine Coon breed, and over 40% of them had this trait.

A few years ago, the polydactyl Maine Coon was eliminated by breeders, but in recent years it has begun to make a comeback and gain more and more popularity. A polydactyl ginger tabby cat holds the record for the most toes with 28 toes, and each toe had its pad and nail.

Looking back a few hundred years, it seems that these cats were very popular among the ships sailing between Britain and New England and there is still some controversy about where they came from. Their popularity was due to their fantastic hunting skills at the time, and they helped prevent rodent overpopulation. The Maine Coon breed is considered to be the first breed of cats to have been born with this specific trait, and it is still observed in them today.

The official cat of the state of Maine, the Maine Coon is one of the oldest and largest breeds in North America, but there is no record of the exact origins of this cat. Some speculation has arisen around the history of how the Maine Coon came to live in North America, but most of it is just folklore without any solid foundation.

One folk tale suggests that Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, tried to flee the country with her favorite Turkish Angora cats. She did not make it to North America, but her cats did make it to Maine where they mated with shorthair breeds.

The generally accepted assumption in the cat breeding community is that the breed is the result of mating local shorthair breeds with longhair breeds imported from overseas. There is a strong resemblance between the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest Cat. In the late 19th century, this particular breed was a favorite at cat shows, but declined in popularity when another type of longhair cat was introduced in the 20th century.

Yes, polydactyl cats are born with extra toes, and this is diagnosed during the physical exam, where the veterinarian can see the extra toes and determine if they are bone or extra tissue. In most cases, polydactyly does not require treatment and the kittens will lead healthy lives.

Polydactyly is of two types, preaxial where the extra toe develops before the dewclaw and postaxial where it develops after the fourth phalanx. This genetic mutation is passed from a polydactyl cat to its offspring, and since this gene overrides the other normal genes, even if only one parent has this trait, there is a good chance that the kitten will be born with extra toes.

Some rumors suggest that the first breed to exhibit polydactyly was the Maine Coon. Some people confuse polydactyl cats with a specific breed, but any cat, regardless of breed, can be born with extra toes. However, it is Maine Coon cats that are confused with the term polydactyly, and the mutated gene is found primarily in this breed, more than in any other type of cat. As a result, a polydactyl Maine Coon cat, aided by its extra toes, has become an excellent hunter and, if allowed to progress naturally, will acquire the ability to use these counters in ways we cannot yet imagine.

The polydactyl cat has no difficulty running and playing and having an extra toe is not painful for them. It is worth mentioning that because of their abnormality, they gain dexterity and agility, which makes them incredible hunters. Sailors did not consider them lucky without a reason.

Polydactyl cats were famous centuries ago for their amazing hunting abilities. The extra toes helped the cats gain better balance and agility. Most sailors wanted to have this type of cat on board, as they were considered lucky and were known for their ability to control rats.

Polydactyl cats are not as common as they once were, but a growing trend has made them more popular. If this happens in a few decades, the offspring of these polydactyls may learn to make better use of their extra toes, and perhaps humanity will witness some things now considered impossible for a cat.

The Maine Coon adapts to all kinds of personalities and lifestyles, and will happily receive attention, but is not dependent on it, and if you don’t have time to pet the cat, it won’t ask for it. They are known to be agile hunters, so no mice will enter your home as long as a Maine Coon cat is watching over you. Owning a polydactyl cat is no more difficult than owning an ordinary cat, and generally no special treatment is needed, other than an occasional check of their extra toes, to make sure all is well.

Owning a Maine Coon polydactyl cat or any other breed of cat makes you responsible for them, so whether they have extra toes or not, you need to cover their needs.