# Polydactyl cats, variable forms

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 9, 2001, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208 "2001-06-09T21:05:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Emaretta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bb73d2/32.png) [@Emaretta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emaretta)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208/1 "2001-06-09T21:05:08Z")

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My boyfriend and I have been having a debate on the types of toes found on polydactyl cats. The first type being fully formed 6 toes on the front paws, the second being 5 fully formed toes with just one claw(no toe) inbetween the inner 2 toes. I have read somewhere that each of these different types of paws have names. One being a “mitten” paw and the other being a “snowshoe” paw. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this and which paw correpsonds with which name?

thanks,  
e

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**Author:** ![Bob\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208/2 "2001-06-09T23:25:15Z")

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Welcome to the SDMB!

I think that it might be entertaining to watch you and your boyfriend arguing about feline polydactyly.

Here’s a Straight Dope link you might find useful, if you haven’t seen it already:

[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m6toecat.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m6toecat.html)

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**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208/3 "2001-06-10T02:39:09Z")

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Check out this link: [http://fpw.isoc.net/polyink/polyx.htm](http://fpw.isoc.net/polyink/polyx.htm). Freaky, freaky kitties! 😃 The X-rays really tell you a lot!

My Poly is named Henry. He has the “mitten” type of paws. He also has an extra toe on the back feet. It is like a tag of skin, and a claw. No bone attached to the extra back foot toe. He’s a great kitty, even though he’s a mutant! (Our family has always had lots of Polys!)

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**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208/4 "2001-06-10T02:40:55Z")

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Damn link. Let’s try that again:  
[http://fpw.isoc.net/polyink/polyx.htm](http://fpw.isoc.net/polyink/polyx.htm)

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**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polydactyl-cats-variable-forms/68208/5 "2001-06-10T03:26:00Z")

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I had a polydactl until recently, when I had to give her up to move to a new apartment. She had the 6-toed front paws that definately looked like mittens.

She’s now at [Dragon King Cattery](http://members.tripod.com/dragonkingcattery/id34.htm). At least I found a good home for her. 🙂