http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6741167.stm
Owner's appeal over cat's 26 toes
Des the cat can be temperamental according to his owner
They say cats have nine lives - so meet Des, who has 26 toes.
While most pet cats have 18 - five on their front paws and four on their rear - the 10-year-old boasts seven on his front and six on his back paws.
The extra digits have left owner Alison Thomas, of Felindre, near Swansea, pondering whether it is a UK record.
One expert said cats with extra toes were common in the area around the old county of Cardiganshire and were sometimes known as "Cardi-cats".
A cat with too many toes is called a Polydactyl.
There are unconfirmed reports in north America of cats with up to 28 toes - but Mrs Thomas cannot find records closer to home.
Mother-of-three Mrs Thomas said: "He came to us when he was about six months old - he just turned up on the doorstep and it was even more noticeable then because his paws were so big.
"The first thing people say when they see him even now is 'look at his paws'.
"He is a bit temperamental - if you know him you are okay but Des can be quite quick with his paws and leave a nasty scratch because he has so many claws.
His rear paws have six toes -his front paws have seven.
"He did have a problem with his paws a while back - nothing to do with the number of the toes - and the vet said he could amputate the extra ones.
"But they don't cause him any problems - he does not scratch the furniture - the children know and they say 'don't go near Des's claws'."
Mrs Thomas said she had read it was common for a Polydactyl to have 24 toes - but 26 was 'very rare'.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43033000/jpg/_43033931_rearpaw_203.jpg
― Mark G, Tuesday, 12 June 2007 08:22 (eighteen years ago)
He's ten years old! Why is this news now?
I smell an ebay auction in the works.
― Aimless, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 01:00 (eighteen years ago)
He's ten years old! Why is this news now?
Because the internet wasn't retarded for cats ten years ago.
― 31g, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 01:10 (eighteen years ago)
Shit, my parents' cat only has 23! This is like that episode of the Simpsons: "Some people say 8 babies are a blessing, but... they don't know the joy of 9".
― dan m, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 01:39 (eighteen years ago)
Our cat's name is better, though... Polly, short for polydactyl.
― dan m, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 01:40 (eighteen years ago)
was hanging out with my friend tonight, and got to meet her 26-toed cat.
― kingfish, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 06:57 (eighteen years ago)