A cat with 24 toes?
By SkylerD
@SkylerD (85)
United States
June 28, 2010 4:40pm CST
Alot of people are shoked when i tell them i have an eight year old tabby cat that has 24 toes. He is a polydactyl cat witch means he was born with an abnormality on his front and back paws. Some people tell me its gross and refuse to play or even come in contact with my poor cat. The extra fingers and toes dont hurt him at all, he lives as healthy as any other cat, yet i have people reccomending that i put him down. I dont think thats fair at all. I love my cat, he's as sweet as they get. Always wanting to cuddle and play. Its a shame that people would judge an animal on somthing like that. Like i said before other than his extra digets, there is nothing that makes him different than any other kittie. What do you guys think about this? Would you ever own a cat or any animal for that matter that has an abnormality or birth defect?
3 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
28 Jun 10
As cats go, 6 toes on each foot is not really abnormal. Many cats have 6 toes on either front or back paws, not as many have 6 on back and front paws. It causes them no pain and, in fact, makes it easier for them to walk in the snow because they have bigger paws ... like built in snowshoes.
Humans can also have more than five fingers on hands or feet (more usually feet). It doesn't ever cause a problem and is just a cause for curiosity ... I remember being once so fascinated by the number of toes on a member of the audience that I nearly forgot what I was singing! She was a perfectly normal and delightful lady (and took a slightly malicious delight in going to concerts, sitting at the front and wiggling her toes!)
I have also met someone with five fingers and a thumb. All fingers worked as normal but the person had to admit that they found no particular advantage in having one more digit than usual.
@Bellapop (1279)
•
28 Jun 10
Ahhh, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, although it does seem a high number ot toes...! How many is a cat supposed to have normally - 10...? I would love to see a picture of your cat if you didn't mind, please let me know if you do post a pic! Ignore the negative comments from others, they just don't understand, as long as it isn't doing anyone any harm and is healthy, then there's nothing to worry about except to enjoy time with him... :)
@cleverson99 (102)
• Brazil
28 Jun 10
I never had a pet with an anomaly like this, but if I'd certainly love it the same way. Don't worry about what others think, the important thing is what you feel.
