Wisconsin Kitten Makes History With an Extraordinary 29 Toes

A Maine Coon kitten from Wisconsin has earned a place in the Guinness World Records after being born with an astonishing 29 toes — the most ever officially recorded on a cat.

Named Erebus Anomaly, the kitten lives with owners Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. His unusual paws are the result of polydactyly, a genetic condition that causes animals to develop extra digits. The trait is relatively common among Maine Coon cats.

A Record-Breaking Little Cat

Most domestic cats have 18 toes — five on each front paw and four on each back paw.

Erebus has eight toes on one paw and seven on each of the other three, bringing his total to 29.

That was enough to break the previous record of 28 toes, which had stood since 2002. A Michigan cat named Toby had recently matched the 28-toe mark before Erebus claimed the title outright.

Guinness officially recorded Erebus’ achievement on May 13, 2026, in Kaukauna.

His Journey Wasn’t Easy

Erebus’ unusual paws weren’t the only reason his owners worried about him.

As a newborn, he developed serious breathing problems after an aspiration event led to pneumonia. He required emergency veterinary treatment, including oxygen and medication, and his owners feared he might not survive.

Fortunately, the kitten made what his owners described as a remarkable recovery.

Interestingly, the X-rays taken during that medical emergency later became important evidence for his Guinness application because they helped document his extraordinary number of digits.

His Extra Toes Aren’t Stopping Him

Polydactyly generally does not prevent cats from living normal lives, and Erebus’ owners say he is doing well after his difficult start.

His father also carried the unusual trait, having six toes on each paw, suggesting that genetics played an important role in Erebus’ record-breaking anatomy.

The owners have also made clear that despite interest in the unusual kitten, Erebus isn’t going anywhere.

“He’s staying with us,” Vandenbloomer said, adding that he is a beautiful cat.

For now, Erebus can enjoy life as an ordinary Maine Coon — just with 11 more toes than most cats and a Guinness World Record to his name.

Sometimes being a little different really does make you extraordinary.