Stupid Question Of The Day-do Cats Have Thumbs?

[Lalexa67]

Let me begin with I love this site! (So please to banish me). The experts are going to seriously roll their eyes.

Are cats supposed to have thumbs?

Thank you and forgive me.

 

[Vien]

Thumbs? Be a little more specific..

polydactyl cats are cats with an extra toe though which may appear as thumbs

 

[Lalexa67]

 

[abyeb]

That’s not a dumb question at all!

Some cats are polydactyl, meaning that they have extra toes. Sometimes an extra toe can look like a thumb.

 

[vyger]

It is not called a thumb but essentially that is what it is so yes they have thumbs. In cats and dogs it is called a dew claw. So there are 4 toes and a dew claw.

Here is a little article about it. You can do a google search for dew claw and find a lot more info.

The Dew Claw & It's Purpose - Pet Care Facts

 

[Lalexa67]

The Dew Claw & It's Purpose - Pet Care Facts[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much! My biggest concern was trimming the nail between his foot and the “dew claw”, he yells at me everytime and with all that fur it’s a chore. I always wondered why there is not that much discussion on it. Now I know.