On May 13, 2026, Guinness World Records counted 29 toes on Erebus, a Maine Coon kitten from Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Erebus has eight toes on one paw and seven on each of the other three, surpassing the 28-toe record held since 2002.
Erebus is an extreme example of polydactyly, an inherited trait that gives cats more than the usual 18 toes. Polydactyly is a trait, not a breed, and most polydactyl cats are healthy. This guide covers normal toe counts, why extra toes develop, routine paw care, and signs that warrant veterinary attention.
What Is a Polydactyl Cat?
A polydactyl cat has more than the standard number of toes. Most domestic cats have five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw, for a total of 18. Extra toes may appear on one or several paws, and the number can differ from side to side.
The most common pattern adds a digit to the inner, thumb side of the paw. Cats with this paw shape are often called “mitten cats” or “thumb cats.” Some extra digits are full-sized, weight-bearing toes with their own pads and claws. Others are smaller, near the dewclaw, or even do not touch the ground.
Polydactyly describes the presence of extra digits, not their anatomy. Each extra toe should be checked for normal alignment, comfort, claw growth, and function.
Is a Polydactyl Cat a Breed?
No. Polydactyly can occur in many breeds, coat patterns, and backgrounds, including Maine Coons, domestic shorthairs, tabbies, and calicos. Coat color, personality, and body type are separate traits.
The breed confusion comes from several well-known polydactyl populations. The trait has long been associated with coastal communities in northeastern North America and with the cats at Ernest Hemingway’s former home in Key West. Maine Coons also have a strong historical association with polydactyly. The International Cat Association includes a Maine Coon Polydactyl breed division, and its Pixiebob standard permits polydactyl paws. These registry rules govern specific pedigrees. Polydactyly itself is not a breed.
Why Do Polydactyl Cats Have Extra Toes?
Common forms of feline polydactyly develop before birth. Inherited DNA variants alter the signals that control digit number and placement during limb development. Research in domestic cats has linked common forms of the trait to variants in a regulatory region involved in limb patterning.
The extra toes are present at birth. Food, supplements, exercise, or a minor injury during kittenhood cannot cause inherited polydactyly. Injury may change the appearance of an existing toe, but it cannot create a genetically formed extra digit.
Can a Polydactyl Cat Pass the Trait to Its Kittens?
Yes. Common preaxial polydactyly in cats is generally described as an autosomal dominant trait. One copy of the relevant variant can be enough to produce extra toes. If one parent carries a single copy and the other does not carry the variant, each kitten may have about a 50% chance of inheriting it.
The inherited variant does not determine an exact paw shape. Polydactyly shows variable expression, so a parent with one extra toe may produce kittens with a different number or arrangement. Some family lines show more complex inheritance patterns.
Are Polydactyl Cats Healthy?
In most cases, yes. Isolated polydactyly is not usually associated with poor health. Polydactyl cats can run, climb, play, and age normally.
Individual extra digits can still have structural problems. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that an extra digit may be anatomically abnormal. A small or poorly positioned toe may carry a claw that receives little natural wear, rub against another digit, or remain hidden during routine nail checks.
When Can Extra Toes Cause Problems?
Most problems involve the claw rather than the bone. A claw that does not contact the ground may overgrow and curve toward the paw pad. Extra claws can also snag on fabric or scratching materials, while tightly spaced toes may trap litter or debris and irritate the skin.
Less commonly, an extra digit may be poorly aligned or unstable and affect weight-bearing. Watch for new changes in gait or paw use. Limping, holding up a paw, or resisting touch suggests a problem with that toe or paw rather than polydactyly itself.
Signs worth checking include:
- a claw curling toward or into the paw pad
- redness, swelling, discharge, or an unusual odor between the toes
- repeated licking or chewing at one paw
- a torn or frequently snagged claw
- limping, reluctance to jump, or a change in how the paw lands
- pain when an individual toe is handled
These signs indicate a problem with a specific nail, toe, or paw. Still, they do not mean polydactyl cats are generally unhealthy.
Do Polydactyl Cats Need Special Care?
Most polydactyl cats need only one adjustment to routine grooming: check every claw. Extra nails may be hidden under fur or tucked beside another toe, and claws that do not touch the ground receive little natural wear.
Check Every Extra Toe Regularly
Learn how many toes your cat has and where each extra digit sits. During grooming, gently spread the digits and inspect each claw, pad, and the surrounding skin. Wipe away loose litter or debris with a damp cloth and dry the paw afterward. Regular checks can catch problems before they cause pain or limping.
Keep the Claws Trimmed
Polydactyl cats do not automatically need more frequent nail trims, but every claw needs to be checked. Trim nails that become long, sharply curved, or close to the paw pad. Pay particular attention to small accessory claws and nails that grow at unusual angles.
If your cat resists paw handling, or a claw has already grown into the pad, ask a veterinarian or experienced veterinary technician for help. An embedded claw can be painful and may need treatment beyond trimming.
Know When to Call the Vet
Arrange a veterinary examination if your cat limps, repeatedly licks one paw, has persistent redness or swelling, or reacts painfully when a toe is touched. Broken or bleeding nails, discharge, and claws growing into the paw pad also need prompt attention. Kittens with markedly twisted digits or abnormal leg shape should be examined early to rule out a broader limb-development problem.
Can a Polydactyl Cat Live a Normal Life?
Yes. Isolated polydactyly does not require a special diet, restricted exercise, or a different household routine, and it is not known to shorten lifespan. Most polydactyl cats use scratching posts, stairs, furniture, and litter boxes normally.
Care depends on the anatomy of each paw. Well-aligned, functional extra toes may need only routine inspection and nail trimming. An awkwardly placed digit may need closer monitoring or more frequent trimming.
Fun Facts About Polydactyl Cats
What Is a Hemingway Cat?
“Hemingway cat” is an informal name for the polydactyl cats associated with author Ernest Hemingway and his former home in Key West, Florida. According to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Hemingway received a white six-toed cat named Snow White from a ship’s captain. Some cats now living on the museum grounds are described as descendants of that cat.
The museum is home to nearly 60 cats, and about half are polydactyl. Their broad front paws may resemble mittens, but “Hemingway cat” is a historical nickname, not a breed. Polydactyly can occur in cats of many colors, coat patterns, and backgrounds.
Guinness World Record: How Many Toes Can a Polydactyl Cat Have?
The current Guinness World Records title is 29 toes. Erebus, a Maine Coon from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was measured on May 13, 2026. Guinness states that the previous 28-toe record had stood since 2002.
Twenty-nine toes is an extreme outlier, not a typical feature of polydactyly. Most polydactyl cats have only one or two extra toes, often on the front paws.
How Many Toes Does a Cat Normally Have?
A cat usually has 18 toes: five on each front paw and four on each back paw. The fifth front toe is the dewclaw, which sits higher on the inside of the leg and usually does not touch the ground during walking.
|
Paw pattern |
Front paws |
Back paws |
Usual total |
|
Typical cat |
5 + 5 |
4 + 4 |
18 |
|
Polydactyl cat |
Extra toes on one or both front paws |
May or may not have extra toes |
More than 18 |
Toe counts can be asymmetrical. A cat may have six toes on one front paw and five on the other, or extra digits on all four paws. A cat is considered polydactyl if any paw has more than the standard number of toes.
What Do Polydactyl Cat Paws Look Like?
Many polydactyl cats have extra toes on the inner side of the front paw, creating a broad “mitten” shape or a thumb-like digit beside the dewclaw. This is called a preaxial pattern. Extra digits can also develop on the outer side or, less commonly, in the central part of the paw.
Extra toes vary in size and structure. Some have a pad, joints, and a functional claw; others are smaller and sit above the weight-bearing surface. Front paws are affected more often than back paws, although all four paws may have extra digits. Some extra claws are easy to miss because they sit close to another toe or are hidden by fur.
FAQs About Polydactyl Cats
Are Polydactyl Cats Rare?
Polydactyl cats are uncommon in many local populations but are more concentrated in certain family lines and regions, including parts of northeastern North America and Key West. One or two extra front toes are much more common than extra toes on every paw.
Is It Normal for a Cat to Have Six Toes?
Yes, if the cat was born with six toes on a paw and walks comfortably, this is usually a typical form of polydactyly. Check all six claws, as the extra nail may sit near the dewclaw or grow at an unusual angle. A new lump, swelling, or change in paw shape is not inherited polydactyly and should be examined by a veterinarian.
Are Polydactyl Cats in Pain?
Extra toes alone do not usually cause pain. Most polydactyl cats are comfortable and active. Pain often indicates a problem with a specific claw or digit, such as an ingrown nail, torn claw, skin irritation, or poor alignment. Limping, persistent licking, swelling, or tenderness needs closer examination.
Do Polydactyl Cats Need Their Nails Trimmed More Often?
Some do, but complete nail checks matter more than a fixed trimming schedule. Extra claws that don’t touch the floor receive little natural wear and may overgrow faster. Check every nail during grooming and trim according to growth. A veterinarian can show you how to manage difficult-to-reach claws safely.
Can Polydactyl Cats Use a Normal Litter Box?
Yes. A polydactyl cat that walks comfortably can use a standard open, covered, or automatic litter box. Choose a box with enough floor space to turn and dig comfortably and an easy entry. A lower entrance and softer, clean footing may help if a painful toe or another mobility problem makes access difficult. Polydactyly alone does not require special litter or a special box.
