A squitten is a domestic cat with a genetic deformity which causes a partial formation or complete absence of the radius bone, making it resemble a squirrel. The word is a portmanteau of squirrel and kitten.[1] The term kangaroo cat is also, rarely, used; this derives from a 1953 specimen known as the Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat.[2]
These cats should be kept indoors and monitored by specialist veterinarians, as long term management of the condition is essential for quality of life in these cats.[3]
Characteristics
The term squitten is generally used to refer to cats with one of the medical conditions that causes malformed or stunted forelegs:
- radial hypoplasia (RH; underdeveloped radius bones),
- foreleg micromelia (small forelegs),
- radial aplasia (absent radius bones),
- radial agenesis (failure of radius bones to form).
Typical characteristics of a squitten are unusually short forelegs, with a short radius and ulna which may be either severely shortened, twisted or absent,[1] extra front toes, and normal-length hind legs. Cats with RH or similar mutations move like a ferret and tend to sit on their rump with their forelegs unable to touch the floor; this gives them a resemblance to a squirrel or kangaroo.[1] This raises special care considerations for owners of affected cats. Kittens may be unable to knead effectively with their short forelegs; kneading is required to stimulate milk flow in the mother. The short or twisted forelegs cause mobility problems and such cats may adapt by using their hind legs in a hopping gait.
Mild RH can cause the post-axial form of polydactyly – enlarged paws, extra three-jointed toes on the outer, little-toe side of the paws, and no thumb.[1] This form of polydactyly is sometimes called "patty feet" or "hamburger feet" by cat lovers to distinguish them from "thumb" polydactyl cats, which are not affected.[4][5] X-rays can determine the structure of the extra toes and whether the cat has the gene for RH.
The mutation naturally occurs in the random-bred cat population, particularly in inbred populations where recessive genes may be exhibited. Such cats have also been called "Twisty Cats".[1] In the late 1990s, several were deliberately bred at Karma Farms, a horse farm and cattery in Marshall, USA,[1][6][7] resulting in a public outcry against the operators of the farm. The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals discourages deliberate breeding of these cats for two reasons, first that it falls under hypertyping (intentional breeding of extreme characteristics), and secondly that the position of the legs is abnormal.[8]
A corresponding condition affecting the hind legs is called femoral hypoplasia and has only been reported three times in cats.[9]
See also
- List of cat body-type mutations
- Cabbit - portmanteau of cat and rabbit
- Dwarf cat, such as the Munchkin cat
- Polydactyl cat
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hartwell, Sarah. "Twisty Cats - The ethics of breeding for deformity". messybeast.com. Messybeast. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Robinson Roy (1999), "Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians", Butterworth Heinemann, ISBN 0-7506-4069-3
- ↑ "Kangaroo Cats and Squittens Revealed". messybeast.com. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ↑ Hartwell, Sarah. "Polydactyl Cats". messybeast.com. Messybeast. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ↑ "What Happened to the Maine Coon Polydactyl?". October 2006.
- ↑ "Flipper--One Cute Twisty Kat and the Truth!". Archived from the original on 23 March 2003.
- ↑ "[VETPET] National News Coverage of Twisty Cat Story". legalminds.lp.findlaw.com.
- ↑ "Resolution on the breeding of pet animals". coe.int. Council of Europe. 10 March 1995. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ↑ Hartwell, Sarah. "Radial Hypoplasia and Femoral Hypoplasia". messybeast.com. Messybeast. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
