Cat with Endless Fingers Breaks Guinness Record

The Maine Coon cat Erebus Anomaly, living in Wisconsin, USA, broke a world record with its unusual paws. It was officially confirmed that Erebus has a total of 29 toes, with eight on one paw and seven on each of the other three paws.

The measurement of Erebus, awarded the title of 'most toes on a cat' by Guinness World Records, was conducted on 13 May 2026 in the city of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The cat owned by Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett has 11 more toes than an average house cat.

Domestic cats usually have a total of 18 toes, with five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. Erebus’s unusual toe count is said to stem from a hereditary trait called polydactyly. Polydactyly, which causes cats to be born with more toes than normal, is more frequently found in certain Maine Coon lineages.

Erebus’s biological father also has a total of 24 toes, with six on each paw, suggesting that the trait is inherited. Scientific studies on Maine Coon cats show that polydactyly can cause differences in toe count and bone structure, but there is no clear evidence that it alone adversely affects a cat’s quality of life.

X‑rays taken during the illness paved the way to the record.

Erebus’s story leading to the Guinness World Records began with a serious health issue. The kitten, which suffered pneumonia caused by aspiration during its early life, received oxygen and medication after emergency veterinary intervention.

The X‑rays taken to monitor his health not only revealed that Erebus had recovered, but also documented the finger and bone structures on his paws. These images were later used as evidence in the Guinness record application.

He surpassed the 24‑year record by one finger.

The 'most fingers on a cat' record belonged to Jake, a 28‑fingered cat living in Canada since 2002. The Michigan kitten Toby also matched that mark with 28 fingers in March 2026.

Erebus Anomaly, with 29 fingers, raised the previous record by one finger and became the new holder of the 24‑year‑old unbroken record.

When asked whether Erebus would be given to another family amid worldwide interest, the owners gave a definitive answer: the record‑holding cat will continue his life with his family in Wisconsin.