What type of cats are famously associated with Hemingway's Key West home?

The cats famously associated with Hemingway’s Key West home are polydactyl cats. Polydactyl means that an animal has extra toes, so these cats are often described as “six-toed cats,” although not every individual has exactly six toes.

The connection began with a white, six-toed cat reportedly given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain. Hemingway lived in the Key West house from 1931 to 1939, and he and his family kept cats there. The animals’ descendants continued living at the property, helping turn the house into one of Key West’s best-known literary landmarks.

The cats are not a separate breed. Polydactyly is a genetic trait, and the Key West cats can include various coat colors and patterns. Their association with Hemingway is also sometimes confused with the idea that he personally invented or bred a special “Hemingway cat.” In reality, the defining feature is the inherited extra-toe trait and the cats’ long connection with the historic home.