Polydactyly in cats is a genetic trait where a cat is born with more than the usual 18 toes, with extra toes appearing on the front and/or back paws. The number and placement of these extra toes can vary widely, but they tend to follow certain patterns. In addition to extra toes, polydactyl cats may show slight, harmless changes in the shape of their wrists (carpus) or ankles (tarsus). This condition is generally harmless and does not affect the cat’s overall health.
