Polydactyl Maine Coons: The Truth About Six Toed Cats
Lola’s polydactyl kitten hugging her brother (only minutes old)
Polydactylism is a naturally occurring genetic mutation that causes a cat to be born with extra toes. A typical cat has five toes on the front paws and four on the back. Polydactyl cats often have six or more toes on the front paws, and occasionally extra toes on the back paws as well.
The trait is caused by a dominant gene mutation. That means only one parent needs to carry the gene for kittens to inherit extra toes. An interesting tidbit is that if a cat carries the polydactyl gene, then it can present in their kittens on the front paws or on the front and back paws regardless of whether the parent is poly only on the front paws or on the front and back paws.
Lola has extra toes on her front paws
Polydactylism is not harmful. It is simply a structural variation that has existed in cat populations for centuries.
Early Maine Coons in coastal New England frequently carried the polydactyl gene. Some estimates suggest up to 40% of the early Maine Coon population had extra toes. The wider paws were sometimes referred to ‘snowshoe paws’ because they provided better stability in snowy climates.
Sailors loved polydactyl cats. They considered them to be good luck. The extra toes helped cats keep their balance on ships and grip better to the ropes. They were also thought to be better at catching mice.
Some people don’t believe that polydactyl cats use their extra toes, but I can tell you from experience they absolutely do. The extra toes are fully formed, complete with bone structure and claws, making them functional rather than cosmetic. Polydactyl Maine Coons have strong grip strength and impressive dexterity with their extra toes. Lola has been caught using her extra toes for evil on occasion- please refer to Exhibit A for the footage. (Footage…see what I did there?)
While The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) does not allow polydactyl Maine Coons at all, The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes the Polydactyl Maine Coon as a separate breed. This allows polydactyl Maine Coons to be registered and shown. Lola is a TICA show cat and has won a well-deserved Championship title.
Polydactyl Maine Coons are extremely cool, but I warn you, they will pick up your stuff and make off with it if you’re not careful. Merida has extra toes on her front paws and back paws, and one of her favorite tricks is to pick up my pens and run away so I’ll “play” with her. I collect guinea and chicken feathers that I find around the farm and put them into a grapevine wreath. Merida loves nothing more than to climb up and take those feathers out of the wreath. She uses them to bait the other kittens to play with her. Polydactyl Maine Coons could probably could use their extra toes for good, but why would they do that when being naughty is so much fun?
Merida has extra toes on her front and back paws
Polydactyl Maine Coons are a fascinating and historic part of the breed’s story. I adore them, and love watching all of their antics. Lola is about ready to have her next litter of kittens and I am so excited to see if we will have poly babies in the mix. I hope this was interesting and informative. If you have any Maine Coon topics you’re curious to learn more about, please feel free to drop me a note and I’ll be happy to write about them!
