A Maine Coon kitten named Erebus Anomaly has claimed the Guinness World Record for most toes on a cat with 29 digits.
Erebus Anomaly, owned by Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was born with the genetic abnormality polydactyly, which causes cats to develop extra toes. The condition is particularly common in Maine Coons, according to the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. His owners, who operate a breeding cattery called BlueNorthern Maine Coons, told WFRV they suspected he might challenge the record as soon as they saw his excess protuberances at birth.
The previous Guinness World Record of 28 toes was set in 2002 by a Canadian cat named Jake and was matched in March by Toby, a feline from Michigan. Erebus Anomaly’s biological father also carried the trait, born with six toes on each foot for a total of 24, six more than the standard 18.
The kitten’s path to the record began with a health crisis. After his owners noticed he was breathing through his mouth, an emergency veterinarian diagnosed him with pneumonia and placed him in an oxygen machine with medication. Vandenbloomer and Nett told World News Now they had serious concerns about whether he would survive.
Despite the close call, Erebus recovered in what his owners called a “definitely miraculous” turnaround. X-rays taken during the emergency clinic visit later provided the documentation needed for his Guinness application, serving as proof of his toe count.
The organization certified the record on May 13 and added it to their website.
“It’s crazy to think that one of the scariest times in his life led right into the beginning of his world record journey,” read a message on the social media page Vandenbloomer and Nett created for Erebus.
When ABC’s Danny New asked whether they planned to rehome the record-breaking kitten, Vandenbloomer gave a firm refusal.
“He’s staying with us,” she replied. “He’s a gorgeous boy.”
In the viral moment that preceded the official certification, Erebus Anomaly’s extraordinary toe count had already drawn attention from local Wisconsin media and cat enthusiasts online, with his recovery story adding an emotional dimension to what might otherwise have been a novelty item. The pneumonia scare and subsequent documentation process created an unexpected pathway to Guinness validation for the tiny kitten.
Erebus Anomaly’s record remains listed on the Guinness World Records website as of this report.