Farm Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison

Farm Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed ComparisonBoth American Polydactyl and Farm Cat are originated from United States. Both American Polydactyl and Farm Cat are having almost same weight. American Polydactyl may live 4 years less than Farm Cat. Both American Polydactyl and Farm Cat has same litter size. American Polydactyl requires Low Maintenance. But Farm Cat requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

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United States
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
2 - 8 kg
4 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
2 - 8 kg
4 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
10 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Hemingway cat, Big-foot cat
Barn Cat, Mouser
Colors Available:
All colors and patterns
All colors and patterns
Coat:
Short or long
Short and long, fine and thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Moderate, Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Detached, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american polydactylIt is believed that this unusual cat came to the United States on ships – kept by sailors who thought of them as a good luck charm and to keep the mice population under control.

These unusual cats became popular in the 1800s as ship cats but the cats soon began to be seen in port cities on the Eastern coast of the United States as well as Canada, and their numbers began to increase.

It is also believed these interesting cats were brought specifically to the Boston area.

farm catKnown also as the Barn Cat, this domestic cat is of a mixed breed. The very name ‘farm cat’ is referring to a general kind of cat that lives in an almost wild state on farms and agricultural properties.

Possibly, their role in keeping rodents at bay was how they came about – domesticated to keep rodents away from grain crops.

When you do research you find that there is archeological evidence to suggests that these farm cats have been around since about 7500 BC. Most barn cats fall under the domestic shorthair or domestic longhair categories.

These cats live in a variety of conditions and some of them get their food solely from the rodents they catch. Others are tame with access to supplemental cat food as well as veterinary care.

Description

american polydactyl kitten - descriptionThe Polydactyl cat is unusual in that the cat has been born with something odd about it. It has more than the regular number of toes on just one or more of its paws.

Normal cats have a sum of 18 toes, with 5 on the front and 4 on the back but with Polydactyl cats you may find as many as 9 digits on their front and back paws.

American Polydactyl cats are medium to large in size with strong, muscular bodies. The cat can weigh up to 6kg. The head is broad, the ears wide-set and pointed and the coat can be any color, pattern and length.

Temperament:

These cats are easy-going, relaxed, and social. They’re hardy too and they’re able to enjoy being outdoors and indoors.

They’re affectionate with their human family and are also playful and energetic. It is prepared to be friendly with dogs and children too, but it is also able to act independently and get on with things. The Polydactyl cat is distinctive but also a very popular cat breed.

farm cat kitten - descriptionFarms cats are also members of domestic cats but it’s just that they are usually not socialized and they run away from people.

Farm cats have different histories and there is really no one-size-fits-all description of them.

They can weigh anything from 2 to 8kg. They can live to be anything between 10 and 20 years of age. Some of them are large, some small, some are solid colored while others are bi-colored and patterned. Their coats differ too and you can find short- and long-haired varieties among your farm cats

Their eyes and ears will also be in any shades and sizes and these cats are usually not spayed or neutered and can produce kittens that nobody is sure how they’ll turn out.

Temperament:

If you were to stumble across a farm cat born of unknown parents, there is no knowing what the small feline will behave like. Socialization and lifestyle play a big role in determining how a kitten will turn out but farm cats left to their own devices could be quiet, aggressive, loving, naughty, reticent, reserved, playful, lazy, shy or nervous.

Characteristics

american polydactyl cat - characteristicsThe American Polydactyl cat is such a down-to-earth kind of cat that you can welcome him into your home with ease.

Easy to look after, this lively and interesting cat will fill your home with love and companionship, and just a few extra toe nails to clip!

farm cat cat - characteristicsFarm cats are such wonderful animals – they just need a good chance in life like other domestic cats.

Many of them have had a hard life and it can be marvelous to open your home and heart to one or two of them and see the pleasure they bring.

They’re full of character and if you provide them with good food and a warm bed and promise to love them, you’ll no doubt be starting a solid and meaningful friendship that can enhance your life.

Health Problems

american polydactyl kittens - health problemsWith good care, these cats can live to be between 14 and 16 years of age. You need to be diligent with keeping this cat’s nails trimmed because depending on the placement of the toes, the nails could become a nuisance, growing in the wrong direction and cutting into he cat’s flesh.

Keep the nails trimmed as necessary. To avoid possible injury to your pet, your veterinarian can safely trim your cat’s claws.

Always pay attention to your cat's behavior as well as taking note of your cat when you groom him as both are good ways to discover whether anything is amiss with your polydactyl cat.

farm cat kittens - health problemsFarm cats left to fend for themselves can suffer from a host of illnesses. Eye infections are one. The cause of these eye infections is usually a virus, of which herpes, chlamydia, and Calicivirus are the most common.

Your vet will certainly prescribe you some antibiotics for your kitten to help against secondary infections.

Check your farm kitten over as he is likely to have a nose full of snot as well and may even be sneezing. Take the kitten to the vet who can give him a good once-over and put him on the road to recovery.

Caring The Pet

american polydactyl cats - caringKeep an eye on your cat’s paws as their extra toes can make it that they are at a higher risk of hooking on a carpet or some other material, but this can be managed with regular nail trimming.

Daily needs:

Provide your cat with all the things he needs to make his life pleasant while in your care. He’ll need feeding and drinking bowls, a nice warm, dry bed, a litter box, stimulating toys, and things such as a scratching post and cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Cats are meat-eaters, and they need protein from meat for health. Some cooked chicken and beef can be a real treat for your pet. Grains and carbohydrates should only play a very small role in your pet’s diet. Too many grains can lead to malnutrition and obesity as well as problems with your cat's organs.

Always take into account your cat’s age because different life stages mean different energy levels and therefore different nutritional needs.

Take your sick cat to the vet when you see he is not his usual self. Make sure you keep up to date with all his vaccines and anti-parasite treatments.

Spaying and Neutering:

One of the most important health decisions you’ll make for your Polydactyl cat is to have your pet spayed or neutered. The procedure is common and performed in your vet’s office every day.

It offers lifelong health benefits. It improves your pet’s behavior and keeps them close to home too. Spaying a female cat will prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, and for males, it can prevent testicular cancer.

Best of all, it helps to prevent yet more kittens into a world overrun with stray cats and rescue centers jam-packed with unwanted kittens and cats.

farm cat cats - caringBarn cats or farm cats are not likely to have been neutered or spayed and they are just adding to the overpopulation of farm cats that can become feral cats.

The average fertile cat can produce three litters every year, and with as many as 6 kittens in a litter, you can imagine how a small colony of cats can get out of control.

Sometimes cat rescue programs do a steri-drive and spay and neuter cats like this to curb the numbers. Of course, spaying and neutering can prevent many diseases as well.

If you have farm cats that have been spayed or neutered, provide them with good food and water. You can put out wet, canned cat food or dry kibble – they’ll be so pleased as most times these cats don’t even know where their next meal will come from.

You see them drinking out of puddles of water. Unfortunately, these pools are often filled with contaminants and this can also make the cats sick.

Every cat just wants a soft, warm place to sleep, and if you can, provide some warm dry hay for these farm cats. Even a cardboard box can be a haven for a cat that has never known a bed.

If you have managed to catch a farm cat kitten and you want to offer it a home, make sure to start off with veterinary care and vaccines.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Farm Cat vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Farm Cat vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Farm Cat vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Farm Cat vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Farm Cat vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Farm Cat vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Farm Cat vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Farm Cat vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Farm Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Farm Cat vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Farm Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Farm Cat vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Farm Cat vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Farm Cat vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Farm Cat vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Farm Cat vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Farm Cat vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Farm Cat vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Farm Cat vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Farm Cat vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Farm Cat vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Farm Cat vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Farm Cat vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Farm Cat vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Farm Cat vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. American Polydactyl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Polydactyl vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Polydactyl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Polydactyl vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Polydactyl vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Polydactyl vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Polydactyl vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison