Polydactyl Cat (Hemingway)
The Hemingway Cat is not a formal breed but a category of cats carrying the polydactyl mutation — extra toes on one or more paws.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
13–18 years
Weight
3–7 kg (6.5–15 lbs)
Height
25–35 cm (10–14 in)
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Hemingway Cat is not a formal breed but a category of cats carrying the polydactyl mutation — extra toes on one or more paws. The mutation is caused by a dominant gene (Pd) that is completely benign when heterozygous. The "Hemingway" name comes from the famous colony of polydactyl cats at Ernest Hemingway's former home in Key West, Florida — now a museum maintaining approximately 50–60 descendants of a six-toed cat given to Hemingway by a ship's captain. Polydactyly is most common in cats from the Boston–Nova Scotia coastal corridor, suggesting a founder effect from early maritime populations. Some Maine Coons carry the trait.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
Any body type and coat — the defining characteristic is extra toes (typically 6–7 per paw rather than the standard 5 front / 4 rear). The extra toes give the paw a broad, mitten-like appearance, with some individuals appearing to have a "thumb." The extra toes are fully functional in most cases.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
The same as any domestic cat — polydactyly does not affect personality. Generally gentle and adaptable cats that are particularly skilled manipulators of objects with their extra-toed paws.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Standard cat care. The extra toes require more frequent nail trimming — particularly the extra inner toes which can curl inward and penetrate the paw pad if not maintained. Weekly nail inspection.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Polydactyly itself is harmless in domestic cats. The extra toes require regular nail care to prevent ingrown nails. The Pd gene is completely safe when heterozygous — homozygous individuals (Pd/Pd) have not been shown to have additional health problems in domestic cats unlike some species.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West, Florida is home to approximately 50–60 polydactyl cats — all descendants of Snowball, a six-toed cat given to Hemingway by a ship's captain in the 1930s. The colony is protected under a federal agreement allowing them to continue living at the now-museum property.
Polydactyly in cats was historically considered lucky by sailors — the extra-toed paws were believed to give cats better grip on ship decks in rough weather, and ships' cats with extra toes were highly sought after. This explains the high prevalence of the trait in the Boston–Nova Scotia corridor, the old maritime hub of New England.
Some polydactyl cats can use their extra-toed "hands" to open latches, pick up objects, and perform manipulative tasks that ordinary cats cannot — a practical demonstration of the mitten-cat nickname.
