World's Most Toed Cat Certified: 29 Toes Make History

A cat from Wisconsin has officially claimed the title for the most toes, setting a new Guinness World Record. Erebus Anomaly, a Maine Coon cat, now boasts an impressive 29 toes, surpassing the previous record held for over two decades.

The feline's extraordinary number of digits is attributed to a genetic condition known as polydactyly. This condition causes the growth of extra digits on cats' paws. Polydactyly is observed to be relatively common among Maine Coon cats. Notably, Erebus's father also possessed an unusual number of toes, with six on each paw, totaling 24.

Erebus's journey to this record involved overcoming a severe bout of pneumonia during his kittenhood. He recovered thanks to oxygen and medication treatments. X-ray images taken during his recovery were submitted as evidence to officially verify his toe count for the Guinness World Records application. The record was officially announced by Guinness officials on May 13.

When asked about Erebus's future, his owners affirmed, "He will stay with us. He is a very beautiful child." The previous record was held by Jake, a cat from Canada with 28 toes, who set the record in 2002. More recently, in March, a cat named Toby from Michigan also matched this record with 28 toes. Erebus, with his 29 toes, now stands alone at the top.