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A few months ago, cat lover Delaney Henderson agreed to foster a kitty named Toby. The first thing she noticed about Toby was his sweet personality.
But as she got a closer look at Toby, Henderson realized there was something different about him: He had a lot of toes. Henderson quickly pieced together that Toby had polydactylism, a genetic trait that makes cats have extra toes.
Henderson, who was already a proud mom of a polydactyl cat named Connie, is familiar with the condition. But as she got to counting Toby’s toes, she was astounded.
A cat without polydactylism has 18 toes, while a typical polydactyl cat will have maybe one extra toe on both of their front paws, so 20 toes in total. But Toby had seven toes on each paw — adding up to 28 toes in total.
“When I first saw his toes, I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Henderson said in a Guinness World Records Instagram post.
Nothing in Toby’s foster profile had mentioned him having extra toes. It felt like fate had brought him to Henderson’s door and united him with Connie. Needless to say, Toby ended up being a foster fail.
“I had a gut feeling when I met him that he was meant to be in my life, and I am so grateful to have given him a forever home,” Henderson said.
Given all they had in common, Connie and Toby got along beautifully right away. Connie has taken on a big sister role in Toby’s life and helped him settle into his new home.
Henderson wanted to share how special Toby is with the whole world, so she decided to submit his profile to Guinness World Records. They wrote back quickly and let her know that Toby had tied the world record holder for cat with the most toes. Toby was excited to receive his official certificate from the world record organization.
While you might be concerned that having so many extra toes might affect Toby’s mobility or be uncomfortable for him, rest assured that he jumps around, climbs up cat trees and curls up on the couch totally pain-free.
“He is in great health, and beyond a thorough nail trimming – he has 30 claws as well! – he is a regular kitty with no extra concerns,” Henderson said.
Of course, what Henderson loves the most about Toby isn’t his world record-breaking toes — it’s how hilarious, loving and playful he is.
“We love our sweet boy,” Henderson said.
