Nowadays, almost every family has a cat - even if not, almost everyone treats the four-legged furry with tenderness and even some delight. It’s hard to believe that cats once didn’t get along with people, but such times did exist... The process of domestication began approximately 10,000 years ago - evidence of this was found in different parts of the globe. During excavations in Egypt, archaeologists discovered feline remains next to human fragments. This suggests that at that time cats were already domesticated.
These four-legged pets are distinguished by their wayward character, bright appearance, and grace. Living next to a person, they do not cease to maintain their freedom. It is not surprising that many people want to see a cat in their home - an interesting and beautiful animal. Sometimes they show unusual abilities - cases have been recorded when cats fell from the 7th-8th floor and remained alive. Despite such miracles, you should not neglect caring for your pet. “A cat has 9 lives” is a beautiful belief, but not always plausible.
What do old cats look like? Where do they live (lived)? You will learn about this in our article. We have collected the oldest cats on our planet - we hope you enjoy spending time with short stories!
Kitty - 31 years old
Our selection opens with Kitty, a graceful cat who lived in the west of central England - in the county of Staffordshire. It is worth noting that this name suited her very well. The fluffy Englishwoman lived for 31 years - long enough for a cat! Its owner was a certain D. Johnson. Looking at her, it immediately becomes clear that Kitty received proper care and was in caring hands. By the way, in England they love animals very much and treat them as full members of the family. Despite her age, Kitty was able to give birth to two kittens at the age of 30, which deserves respect.
Official list of the oldest cats in the world
In Europe and the USA, an official list of all the oldest cats has been compiled. Many of these centenarians had to go through difficult trials.
Cream Puff (translated from English as “cream puff”)
This tabby mix color was one of the oldest in the world. It was even included in the Guinness Book of Records (2010 edition). Cream-Puff was born on August 3, 1967, and died on August 6, 2005 - at 38 years old. There lived a cat in the small town of Austin, Texas, in the family of Jake Perry.
The owner developed a special diet for his pet, which consisted of asparagus, eggs, turkey bacon, broccoli and coffee with cream. In addition, once every 2 days the owner gave the cat a dropper of red wine to drink. Jake Perry also supported the physical activity of his pet - the owner built wooden steps into the walls of his house, and built an aviary in the backyard. Jake made a movie theater in the garage and constantly played various documentaries about nature.
Baby
This mongrel black cat from the USA was born in 1970 and died in March 2005 at the age of 35.
Al Paluski found Baby on the street as a kitten when children threw him and firecrackers into the trash can. The fear of children did not leave the unfortunate cat for the rest of his life.
The baby ate regular cat food. He also loved fresh grass and often begged for food from the master’s table: steaks, peas, pasta, corn, cheese.
Throughout his long cat life, the Kid did not go outside. The only exception was a trip to the vet at age 28. This cat did not like other pets, and once even kicked a huge Great Dane out of the house.
Kitty
Another tabby outbred cat with an unusual name lived exactly 36 years and 1 day. Pussycat was born in England on November 28, 1903, and died on November 29, 1939.
Ma
A tabby shorthair cat named Ma was born in Great Britain in 1923. The long-lived cat died at the age of 34 on November 5, 1957 on Guy Fawkes Night.
Granpa Rex Allen
This Devon Rex cat was born on February 1, 1964 in Paris, and died at the age of 34, on April 1, 1998 in the USA. After his death, he was included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Granpa lived with a long-living cat named Cream Puff and 17 other cats in Jake Perry's family. According to the owner, Rex Allen ate vegetables, fried foods and other foods that are considered not very healthy for cats. However, this diet helped the cat live a very long time.
Sarah
A mongrel longhaired cat from New Zealand received the title of the oldest cat in this country. Sarah was born in March 1982 and died in September 2015, when she was 33.5 years old.
Mitz Maz
The long-lived Mitz Matz was born in 1979. At first he lived with his owners in Tegerwilen, Switzerland. However, he later ran away and settled at a local railway station, whose employees fed the cat.
According to eyewitnesses, in February 2012, a passer-by saw an elderly Mitz Matz and believed that the cat was very sick. The woman took the centenarian to the nearest veterinary clinic. The veterinarians did not know the animal’s history and euthanized it as a stray. Mitz Matz died at the age of 33. The doctors' actions caused a huge wave of indignation among station employees and local residents.
Nutmeg (Nutmeg)
Another long-lived cat with the unusual nickname Nutmeg lived for 32 years. True, this cat was not included in the Guinness Book of Records, since the owners did not have documents that would confirm the declared age. Nutmeg was born in Great Britain in 1985–1986. The cat wandered into his owners, Ian and Liz Finlay, by accident in 1990.
In 2015, Nutmeg suffered a stroke. Thanks to the timely help of doctors, he was saved. In the last years of his life, the cat only had 3 teeth left. The furry old man did not leave the house at all and spent time in his own room. On August 29, 2017, he began having breathing problems due to heart failure. Despite the efforts of veterinarians, the centenarian died at the age of 31–32 years.
Kitty
Short-haired black cat Kitty was born in July 1957 in the English county of Staffordshire. At 30 years old, she gave birth to 2 kittens and was registered as the oldest female cat mother. Kitty died in June 1989 - just shy of 32 years old, but she was also awarded the title of “long-liver.”
Spike
The long-haired red and white cat Spike was born in May 1970. In the same year, the owners purchased the future centenarian at the market in London for 2 shillings and 6 pence. At the age of 19, the cat was bitten by a fighting dog. Thorn developed blood poisoning, but veterinarians operated on him and saved his life. The cat died in July 2001 in the arms of his owner at the age of 31.
Natmeg - 31 years old
Another representative of the “felines” who lived to be 31 years old. Looking to visit his future owners, he had no idea that he would live here! Nutmeg (translated from English as “Nutmeg”) loved to travel in the company of his friend, the cat, and visit his owners’ house. The family couldn't help but pay attention to the serious cat with a persistent character. It was decided that he would become a member of the family! In recent years, Natmeg had only 3 teeth left and he was no longer happy with adventurous walks... When the cat died of old age - at the age of 31, his owners took the loss very hard - the couple did not have children of their own, and the cat took the place of a child for them.
Maine Coon
Maine Coon
A native of New England, the Maine Coon is distinguished by its impressive size, mouse hunting skills, and adaptability to any vagaries of nature. This cute giant cat captivates with his shaggy thick hair, touching tufts on his ears and a huge fluffy tail, giving him a resemblance to a raccoon. Maine Coons have a good disposition, they are flexible, intelligent, and love affection. These cute creatures have outstanding vocal abilities, and they willingly demonstrate their talent to their owners.
Maine Coons reach full maturity between 3 and 5 years of age, and many can weigh over 20 pounds at this age. They like to live in pairs, while the males are prone to wonderful funny antics, and the females try not to lose their dignity. Maine Coons are friendly towards other animals in the family and children. The cost of kittens of this breed can reach $1000.
Maine Coon
Whiskey - 31 years old
A cat with an unusual name - Whiskey, lived for 31 years, but she had a difficult life... At the age of 5, Whiskey felt all the symptoms of the disease - she was faced with a disease of the musculoskeletal system (this disease limits mobility and motor skills). Her owner had already lost all hope that Whiskey would be able to live with her for at least a few more years, but thanks to her strong desire and love for the cat, she was able to take her out - this beauty lived for 31 years, surrounded by warmth and love.
Russian record-breaking cats
There are also older representatives of the cat breed in Russia. The list is topped by:
- The cat Basilio comes from Kostroma. Owner Elena Kolotova claims that the pet appeared in their family in the early 90s. She had to literally nurse the weak kitten; he could not eat on his own and did not move well. In addition to the kitten, two more dogs lived in Elena’s house, and the little tenant became close friends with one of them. Maybe dog training is the secret to the longevity of Basilio the cat? His age in 2022 was 26 years old.
- Dymka is a 27-year-old cat, the media actively writes about her, but she never made it into the book of records because the owners could not confirm the exact age of their favorite.
- Murka. An amazing mongrel cat lived for 20 years. She found a home at a week old. A little kitten was found in Star City. The owners of the elderly pet claim that its longevity is directly related to its docile nature and the care of household members.
- Roxana is a Persian cat from the city of Serov. Life expectancy is 19 years. Thanks to the pedigree, the owners were able to determine the exact age of the pet. Beautiful, affectionate and calm Roxana became a real family member for her owners.
Sasha - 32 years old
In 1991, Sasha found a home and a mistress. The cat was found in poor condition and had health problems. The woman could not close her eyes to the cat’s misfortune and took her in with her. Wanting to bring the cat back to life, she fed it generously and cared for it. A little later, Sasha needed a serious operation - the owner was scared, but everything ended well! Sasha survived and lived surrounded by care for 32 years. During her life, the cat faced various diseases, but, fortunately, thanks to her caring owner, she always recovered.
British shorthair cat
British Shorthair Cat
Plush, mustachioed, robust cats are regulars on film sets, advertising popular cat food. This is not surprising, because they are so pleasant to watch. Looking incredibly good-natured, British Shorthair cats have long become a collective image of a classic pet.
The ancestors of this breed are considered to be cats brought to Britain by Roman legionnaires. The animals were distinguished by their outstanding hunting abilities and remarkable physical characteristics, but modern representatives of the breed have lost these qualities. Many of them, if they eat improperly, are prone to obesity and become clumsy with age. Breeders had to work to make British Shorthair cats resistant to disease.
Charmingly plump in appearance, the British are, in fact, quite stocky and quite powerful. They have a large head, thick cheeks and large, round eyes with a copper tint. The most popular color of the plush fur of these cats is solid (gray, blue-gray, black, lilac, chocolate). The character of the British Shorthair is calm, flexible, but independent. They treat strangers selectively and rarely allow strangers to approach them. The British will always be extremely dissatisfied if someone, even the owner, wants to carry him in their arms. Prices for British aristocrats range from $500-1500.
British shorthair cat
Sarah - 33 years old
The gray and white cat lived for more than 33 years, gaining fame. She became famous as "New Zealand's Oldest Cat". One can only guess how much her owners loved her. Look how interesting her eyes are, revealing her serious character! Sarah was probably a capricious cat.
Interesting fact: a cat in New Zealand was declared a kleptomaniac - in 2 months she stole at least 60 items of men's underwear. She stored her trophies in the backyard of her master's house. The cat Brigit showed her passion before, when she lived with her owners in another city. I wonder why she was so attracted to things from the men's wardrobe?
Cats from the Guinness Book of Records
A cat named Puss is considered the oldest cat on our planet. She even got into the Guinness Book of Records. Puss lived side by side with her owner for 36 long years. The tabby cat Ma from Great Britain lived a little less - 32 years. Perhaps she would have continued to please her owner, but because of her illness, the cat had to be put to sleep.
The Sphynx cat named Granpa Rex Allen lived the same number of years. This cat is a real celebrity. Parties were held in his honor, banquets were held, and his menu can generally surprise anyone - the cat preferred to eat scrambled eggs with bacon, broccoli, washing it all down with a cup of coffee.
Mitz Matz - 33 years old
It is possible that Mitz Matz would have lived longer if he had not been euthanized by mistake in Switzerland. The cat was considered the oldest representative of the “felines”; he lived for 33 years. Veterinarians euthanized him, mistaking him for a stray animal, although this was not the case. For a long time, this fluffy cat lived at the railway station in the Tegervilen commune - the station employees loved Mitz Matz, took care of him and fed him.
One day Mitz Matz decided to go for a walk outside the station - a woman passing by took the cat to the veterinarian, mistaking him for a stray. After examining the animal, the clinic specialist decided to euthanize the cat. The news came as a shock to those who cared for Mitz Matz. The veterinary hospital staff did not feel guilty, reporting that the cat was already very old: he could hardly see, his ears and teeth hurt.
Reasons affecting feline longevity
If we talk about cats that live on the street, then, as a rule, they live very short lives - no more than 5 years. Low life expectancy is directly related to the high risk of danger that is present in urban street conditions.
Another thing is pets. Compared to homeless animals, the average age increases two to three times. The following factors influence longevity:
- breed and pedigree. Genetically healthy cats and kittens increase their lifespan by several years;
- rational nutrition and strict feeding regime. Properly selected food and daily intake have a positive effect on the health of your pet;
- visit to the veterinarian. It is necessary to follow the vaccination calendar and conduct routine examinations of your four-legged friend in order to exclude or identify dangerous diseases at an early stage;
- active lifestyle. Mustachioed household members definitely need physical activity. Cats love games, movement, chasing and catching up. Regular physical activity improves health. Even if your pet is over 10 years old, he still needs active games with his owner;
- oral hygiene. Teeth are the main factor for increasing life expectancy. Therefore, it is important to keep your teeth clean, remove plaque, and in case of illness, contact a veterinarian in a timely manner;
- It is better to carry out sterilization and castration at an early age of the pet, since these operations have age restrictions. It is best to consult a doctor on this issue.
By observing all the above factors, you can significantly increase the life of your beloved pet.
Missan - 34 years old
Missan's owner, Osa Vikberg, found her pet in the south of Sweden, near the town of Karlskoga, in 1985, when he was still a very small kitten. Years passed, the cat grew, remaining healthy. The owner at that time did not understand that her cat was a record holder! But one day Osa read a passage in the newspaper, which spoke with admiration about a cat younger than Missan. Then the owner thought that her pet also has the right to claim the title of “the oldest cat”... The owner said that Missan is a loner, she is shy, but loves dogs.
Grendpa Rex Allen - 34 years old
A cat born in 1964 has a very interesting name. In 1996, he died at the age of 34. The Sphynx was found on the street and brought to the Travis County shelter (located in Texas), from where he was taken by cat lover Jake Perry in the 70s. He tried to find the owners of the purebred cat - he succeeded, but Madame Sulinaberg went to Paris without finding her pet in the area (she accidentally forgot to close the front door when leaving the house. The cat ran out at that moment). She agreed for the cat to stay with Jake.
Grendpa Rex Allen could only dream of such an owner! Jake always prepared his favorite food (for breakfast, the cat loved scrambled eggs and ham, asparagus and coffee). The long-lived cat appeared on television, in newspapers, and feasts were held on the occasion of his birthday. Rex Allen lived a long, rich life!
Record-breaking cats from the Guinness book
The Guinness Book of Records does not include domestic cats. Only objective data about long-lived animals are recorded here, the owners of which were able to provide evidence of the year of birth of their pets.
The main champion, whose name was included in the Guinness Book, is Creme Puff from the American city of Austin (Texas). This cat lived for 38 years and now tops the list of long-livers. Interestingly, his owner Jake Perry was previously the owner of the Sphynx cat Granpa, who lived for 34 years and 2 months.
Experts are still arguing about how Perry managed to become the owner of two long-lived cats at once. Obviously, it's some kind of secret diet designed to promote health and longevity. It is believed that the list of “special” foods for long-lived cats includes asparagus, broccoli, bacon and eggs. But skeptics do not really believe in such theories and question the objectivity of the examinations carried out.
The oldest cat in the world lives in the USA, in Oregon. At the time of registration in the Guinness Book of Records, the pet named Corduroy was 26 years and 2 weeks old. He automatically took the highest step of the podium after the death of his predecessor, the cat Tiffany II (San Diego), who died at the age of 26.5 years.
The owner of Corduroy shared her own recipes for longevity. A woman allows her “pupil” to sleep a lot, run around the yard, chase mice and birds and simply enjoy a carefree life. They even specially equipped a place for climbing on the curtains so that the cat could indulge in his favorite entertainment without any consequences for the interior. True, the owner of a centenarian often has to change her curtains.
Cream Puff - 38 years old
Translated from English, Cream Puff means “cream puff”. A cat with an interesting name lived to be 38 years old. Her owner was also Jake Perry, a cat lover from Texas. More than once his cats set records for life expectancy. He loves cats very much and does an excellent job of caring for them. Many believe that cats' longevity is related to their diet - Jake feeds them only healthy food. Interestingly, he gave Cream Puff turkey, bacon and even wine, explaining that cats needed to cleanse blood vessels and control blood pressure levels. Jake also makes coffee for the cats and turns on the TV for them.
Unfortunately, Cream Puff died in 2005, but you can be sure that she lived a happy life, surrounded by care and love.
No. 10 Persian cat
An imposing handsome man with luxurious coat, the Persian can live from 15 to 20 years, but he requires high-quality care. The pet needs a balanced diet, regular dental and ear hygiene, as well as active physical activity.
Photo source: 1.bp.blogspot.com
Despite his outwardly lazy appearance, the cat is not averse to moving around and playing.
It is also important to remember about deworming and sterilization if breeding kittens is not part of the owner’s plans
Well, now you know which breeds will live with you side by side happily ever after. True, this does not mean that all representatives of the above-mentioned breeds, without exception, will be able to break records.
There is always the possibility of illness or an accident that could take the life of a pet
To prevent this from happening, you need to treat your cat with great attention and love. Believe me, the effort spent will pay off with the health and full life of your pet! And isn't this the most important thing?
Partner news
PreviousPreviousRead another storyNext
Lucy - 43 years old
It’s hard to believe, but Lucy lived for 43 years (by human standards, that’s about 180 years!) Despite her age, the cat never stopped running actively and even caught mice! This legendary cat lived in Wales and died in 2015. The long-lived woman lived with Bill Thomas, who took her into his custody. Thomas took Lucy as an adult, but he had no idea that she was so grown up! When he showed her to the vets, they were amazed by the fact that Lucy was born 40 years ago. The only thing the cat had problems with was hearing, but this is completely normal at this age.
Interesting fact: some breeds are long-lived. Thai lives up to 20 years - this breed is very smart, inquisitive and easy to train. The Siamese cat can also be considered a long-lived cat - it is readily adopted because of its external beauty, but, in addition to this, it also lives for more than 12 years. Another cat is the Asian Shorthair, which can live more than 20 years; the peculiarity of the breed is that it gets along well with other animals in the same home. The Japanese Bobtail and Asian Shorthair are also long-livers - they have their own interesting features. The Bobtail, for example, loves to swim, while the Asian is very attached to its owner and is characterized by increased “talkativeness.”
4 0
How to choose a long-lived breed
Pitbull Hulk: the world's largest dog
As already mentioned, the longest-living cat is a yard cat, but you can’t always guess. Some members of the cat family actually live a little longer than others due to breed characteristics. These include:
- Siamese live up to 15-20 years;
- Burmese - 16-18;
- savanna - 15-20;
- Egyptian Mau - 16-18;
- ragdoll - 15-19;
- Balinese - 18-22;
- Russian blue - 15-20;
- Bombay - 15-20;
- American Shorthair - 15-20;
- Canadian Sphynx - 15-20;
- Manx - 14-16.
Note! As experts say, regardless of the breed, affection, care and proper nutrition work wonders. This is why healthy pets live to old age. Also, don't rely on breed alone. It is aristocratic cats that are most susceptible to hereditary diseases.
Of course, there are some, but this is rather an exception to the rule, since it has long been proven that cheap food like Kitekat and the like are harmful to pets. A poor diet sooner or later leads to the fact that the animal begins to shit loose stools or have problems going to the toilet.
It is best to give the animal natural food, which includes protein, raw and scalded meat. You can feed ready-made food, but only high quality and do not forget to give your pet enough water to drink. Smoked and sweet products like profiteroles are strictly prohibited.
Important! Improper nutrition leads to the fact that the pet becomes nervous and sick. As a result, lifespan is reduced.
As you can understand, there are a large number of older cats on earth. The most interesting thing is that a real long-liver can walk not among purebred handsome men, but among ordinary yard purrs.
