Have you ever seen a cat’s paws and wondered whether something is off about them? What you are observing is probably polydactylism. If you have no idea about the specialty of these cats, you have come to the right place.

First of all, polydactyl cats are those cats that have more toes in their paws than regular cats. So, when you hear about spending extra money on polydactylism, the question arises whether they are worth it.

There are various factors to determine whether a polydactyl cat is worth the extra money.

For example, these cats are not rare, and the chances of randomly adopting a polydactyl cat are quite high.

Secondly, the cats do not have any extra features due to polydactylism. It is the same old cat, just with more toes.

After reading this article, you will know everything to keep in mind when it comes to polydactyl cats. Let us start with the question at hand.

Are Polydactyl Cats Worth The Money?

If you are wondering whether you should spend a few hundred extra bucks to get a polydactyl cat, you should know what you are getting for the extra money.

There are even some breeders who do not charge extra because of the polydactylism of the cat. In my opinion, you should not spend extra to get a polydactyl cat.

It should reduce the malpractice of charging extra for a feature that is quite common amongst cats. Maine Coon cats have a forty percent chance of being polydactyl.

However, it would help if you kept in mind that polydactyl cats are perfectly normal in every other way, and there are no predisposed diseases associated with these cats. So, you should not differentiate between cats just because of being polydactyl.

How Much Does A Polydactyl Cost?

The price of polydactyl cats depends on several factors. The breed, age, and breeder are some of them.

As you have probably guessed, polydactyl cats can exist for any breed.

However, the rarity of polydactylism can vary from one breed to another. No matter what, the price of a particular polydactyl cat will depend on the breed of the cat.

For example, if you are looking for a Maine Coon polydactyl cat, it can cost you upwards of $2000.

Whereas American polydactyl (which is the polydactyl version of American Shorthair) costs around $1600. If you are not particularly going for any purebred cat, you can find a polydactyl cat at the cost of $300-$500 as well.

The age of the cat is also important when you are determining the price of the cat. If you are looking for a kitten, it is going to cost you more. An adult cat is relatively cheaper in that case.

The breeder also plays a vital role in determining the price of the cats. Some breeders set a higher price for polydactyl cats, which may not be true in many cases.

Overall, you should check whether a polydactyl cat costs more money than a normal cat.

If so, it is best if you look for another source.

However, if you have any inhibitions around adopting a polydactyl cat, we can ensure that they are completely similar to any other cat in almost every way but one.

Are Polydactyl Cats Rare?

First of all, let us understand what a polydactyl cat entails. Polydactyl cats are not rare at all.

It is quite common amongst many cat breeds. These cats have more than the usual 18 toes. So, you might be wondering why this phenomenon even occurs.

Many scientists believe that the polydactyl nature of cats came from Maine Coons. As their name suggests, Maine Coons originated from the state of Maine in the United States.

In the cold winters of Maine, these cats stayed in barns as a pest control measure.

Due to mutation, these cats started to develop extra toes for easier travel in the snow. It is the same reason why polydactylism is so common in Maine Coon cats.

When it comes to other breeds, it is a common feature as well. Polydactylism is nothing but a natural evolution in cats.

If we talk about the genetics of polydactyl cats, the responsible genes are dominant, and it is not dependent on the gender of the cat. Hence, the lineage of the cat also determines whether a cat will be polydactyl or not.

For example, if any one of the parent cats is polydactyl, there is a 50% chance that the offspring will also be polydactyl.

If both the parents are polydactyl, there is at least a 75% chance that the offspring will be polydactyl. As these types of cats are quite common, the percentage of polydactyl cats would increase after each generation.

As the polydactyl nature of the cat is entirely genetic, there is no threat to their survivability as well.

A polydactyl cat would thrive in an environment as much as any other cat would.

If you ask about drawbacks, there is only the responsibility of trimming more nails than usual. But it is always something you can do for such a cuddly little feline.

Conclusion:

The famous author Ernest Hemingway received a six-toed cat from a ship captain who used to believe that these cats brought good luck during voyages.

As a result, these cats are often called Hemingway cats (or, sometimes, “mitten cats”). If you still visit Hemmingway house now, you will see some of these polydactyl cats roaming around in the garden.

Polydactyl cats are similar to any other regular cat regarding their behavior, care, and abilities. So, it would help if you never considered that the extra toes are disadvantageous to these cute cats.

They deserve every bit of love you can give. If you are considering buying a polydactyl cat, you do not have to look hard enough to find one as these are quite abundant in reality.