Wisconsin Maine Coon With 29 Toes Sets a New Guinness World Record
A Wisconsin cat has padded his way into the record books with an eye-popping toe count. Erebus Anomaly, a Maine coon, now holds the Guinness World Record for the most toes on a cat after officials counted 29 of them.
Erebus Anomaly belongs to Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett, who run the Blue Northern Maine Coons breeding business. His total of 29 toes puts him 11 digits above the usual number for a domestic cat, which is 18.
His owners said they suspected right away that they might have a record-holder when he was born. Guinness agreed, and Erebus officially claimed the title for the most toes on a cat.
That new mark moves him past the previous record of 28 toes, set in 2002 by a Canadian cat named Jake. A Michigan kitten named Toby tied that 28-toe record earlier this year, but Erebus has now gone one step further, quite literally.
Why extra-toed cats happen
Erebus's unusual paw count comes from polydactyly, a genetic trait that causes some cats to be born with extra toes. The trait is commonly found in Maine coons, so extra digits are not unheard of in the breed.
What makes Erebus stand out is the sheer number. According to the record, his 29 toes are the largest total ever documented.
For cat people, that makes Erebus a particularly charming mix of familiar and extraordinary: a Maine coon with a trait the breed is known for, taken to a record-breaking extreme.
What polydactyl means
A polydactyl cat is a cat born with extra toes. It is a genetic trait, not a trick of grooming or an injury, and it can show up in many kinds of cats, including long haired breeds such as Maine Coons. The extra digits may look like small side thumbs, broad mitten paws, or simply a paw with an unusual shape.
Extra toes can appear on the front paws, the back paws, or both. They do not automatically mean a cat is unhealthy. Many polydactyl cats run, climb, pounce, and play like any other cat.
What extra toes can do
Those added digits sometimes give a cat a broader, more grippy paw. Owners often notice a strong hold on toys, better scrambling up cat trees, or a distinctive way of kneading. The trait is mostly a curiosity, but paw shape can vary a lot from cat to cat.
The main issue is claw care. Extra toes can hide extra claws in folds of fur or skin. If those nails are missed, they may overgrow, snag on fabric, or curl into the pad.
How to care for a polydactyl cat
Check every toe during nail trims, including any small side digits. If your cat has long fur, gently spread the toes so hidden claws are easier to see. Watch for limping, licking at a paw, cracked nails, or a claw that seems to grow at an odd angle.
If a paw looks crowded, sore, or hard to clean, ask a veterinarian or groomer to show you safe trimming technique. Regular paw checks are the simplest way to keep an unusual paw comfortable.
Share this article:
