The Charming History Behind the Cats with Too Many Toes

Cat lovers are often enamored by feline “toe beans” — a cat’s cute and tiny jellybean-shaped paw pads. But did you know there are some extra special cats out there with even more toe beans to love? Let us introduce you to the charmingly unique Hemingway cat.

What Is a Hemingway Cat?

A “Hemingway cat” isn’t a specific breed. It’s actually a genetic trait, so any breed of cat can be a Hemingway cat. The name simply refers to any cat with extra toes. Typically, cats have five toes on their front paws and four on their back paws. But Hemingway cats have a condition called “polydactyly” and are born with extra toes.

For example, a Hemingway cat might have six toes on each front paw instead of the usual five. This sixth toe often looks like a thumb, which has led to nicknames like “thumb cat”, “mitten cat”, and “boxing cat.” Some Hemingway cats have more than six toes, and sometimes these toes are arranged in more of a circular pattern. This can give the cat’s paws a large, spread-out appearance, leading to the nickname “snowshoe cat”.

The Genetic Secrets of Hemingway Cats

“Polydactyly,” the condition of having extra toes or fingers, means “many digits” in Greek. There are several things that can cause polydactyly, but in many cases, it is due to mutations in a DNA region called the ZRS. The ZRS triggers the sonic hedgehog gene (SHH) and tells it when and where to work when limbs are developing. A mutation in this area can disrupt development and trigger a variation resulting in extra digits. If a cat has a dominant polydactyl gene, it will pass it on to its offspring, although the kittens may or may not be born with extra toes.

While extra toes on polydactyl cats typically appear on the front paws, they can also sometimes occur on the back paws as well. Each paw can have up to nine toes, which means that a polydactyl cat could potentially have as many as 36 toes instead of the usual 18! However, the record for the most toes on a polydactyl cat is currently held by a ginger tabby in Canada named Jake. Jake has seven toes on each of his four paws, totaling 28 toes.

The History of the Hemingway Cat

Although we don’t know the exact origins of polydactyl cats or when these unusual felines first began to appear, they have a strong association with Boston. Historically, polydactyl cats were particularly popular as ship’s cats. They often served as expert mousers, keeping vessels free of vermin and disease. Many sailors and captains believed the cats’ extra toes gave them better grip and climbing abilities. Some even considered the cats to be good luck charms when sailing. Over the years, these multi-toed cats spread to other areas, but almost always appeared in ports that traded with Boston ships (which is why these special felines are sometimes referred to as “Boston cats”).

Today, polydactyl cats can occur anywhere, but they are especially prevalent along the eastern coast of the United States and Canada. There are some in England and Wales, but Hemingway cats are much less common in Europe, possibly due to historical superstitions that associated them with witchcraft.

Ernest Hemingway’s Polydactyl Cats

While multi-toed cats have many nicknames, the most common is “Hemingway cat” due to their association with the famous American author, Ernest Hemingway. In the 1930s, Hemingway and his family settled in Key West, Florida. He did much of his writing there, surrounded by the tropical climate and his beloved cats. A devoted cat lover, Hemingway spoke fondly of his many feline companions. At one time, the famous author shared his home with at least 50 cats!

A true adventurer and storyteller, Hemingway had heard the superstitious sea tales of multi-toed ship cats. Upon learning of the author’s interest in these cats, a sea captain gifted Hemingway with a charming white polydactyl cat with six toes, whom Hemingway’s sons named Snow White. Fascinated by Snow White’s extra digits, Hemingway began collecting other polydactyl cats to share his home with. After his death, the cats remained at his home in Key West, where around 60 of their furry descendants continue to live today.

Snow White’s Famous Descendants

Hemingway’s Key West home has been preserved as a museum, but the cats still freely roam the grounds. At least half of the cats have multiple toes, while many without extra toes still carry the polydactyl gene. Honoring Hemingway’s tradition of naming his cats after prominent individuals, each cat at the Hemingway Home & Museum bears a famous name, which the museum lists along with the cat’s birthday and favorite hangout. For example, Katherine Hepburn is an elegant silver feline who enjoys relaxing near the front door on a wooden bench.