A standard domestic cat has a total of 18 claws distributed unevenly across its four feet. This count comes from five claws on each of the two front paws and four claws on each of the two hind paws. This asymmetrical arrangement of digits is a normal anatomical feature.
Standard Digit Count: Front and Hind Paws
The typical feline anatomy features a distinct difference in the number of digits between the front and back limbs. Each front paw possesses five clawed digits, while each hind paw is equipped with only four clawed digits.
The front paws are highly adaptable tools, featuring four main load-bearing toes that make contact with the ground when the cat walks. The fifth digit is positioned higher up the leg and does not usually bear weight. These digits are highly mobile, allowing for grasping motions used in hunting and climbing.
In contrast, the back paws are designed primarily for propulsion and traction. They consist of four weight-bearing toes, which provide the power for running, jumping, and gaining purchase on surfaces. The lack of a fifth digit on the hind limbs reflects their specialized role in locomotion and balance.
The Function and Placement of the Fifth Digit
The fifth digit on the cat’s front paw is known as the dewclaw, which is analogous to a human thumb. This digit is located higher up on the inside of the leg, near the wrist area, and is distinct from the four main toes on the paw pad. Because it is positioned so high, the dewclaw does not typically touch the ground when the cat is walking.
Despite its elevated position, the dewclaw is not a non-functional structure. Cats actively use this specialized claw for several activities, including gripping objects and stabilizing prey during a hunt.
The dewclaw also plays a role in climbing by providing additional grip and preventing rotation of the wrist when a cat makes sharp turns or gains purchase on a vertical surface. Since it does not naturally wear down from walking, it often requires separate trimming to prevent it from growing too long and curling into the cat’s skin.
Polydactyly: When Cats Have Extra Claws
Some cats are born with more than the standard number of digits on one or more paws, a condition known as polydactyly. This trait is a congenital physical anomaly resulting from a genetic mutation. Polydactyl cats can have up to nine toes on a single paw, leading to a total claw count well over the standard 18.
This genetic mutation is autosomal dominant, meaning a kitten only needs to inherit the gene from one parent to exhibit the trait. Polydactyly most commonly affects the front paws, but it can occur on the hind paws or all four feet. The extra digits often give the cat’s paw a distinctive, mitten-like or “thumbed” appearance.
Polydactyl cats are sometimes referred to as “mitten cats” or “Hemingway cats,” a reference to author Ernest Hemingway. The condition is generally harmless, though the extra claws may require more careful attention during routine nail trimming.