If you are lucky enough to have a feline companion, you likely want as many years with him as possible. This may lead you to research the average life expectancy of cats. Maybe you even look up the age of the oldest cat recorded.
Cat parents usually enjoy many years with their treasured kitty by their side. Afterall, it’s not uncommon for a cat to live into her late teens. But some owners have been gifted an unimaginably long amount of quality time. A few cats have stunned experts with their advanced ages. Some have even been awarded world records for their remarkable lifespans!
Today we will meet the oldest house cat that ever lived. We’ll also get to know the cat that holds the current Guinness Record for being the oldest living cat!
What Is the Average Lifespan of House Cats?
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Before we can truly appreciate the lifespan of the oldest cat on record, we must first be aware of how long an average cat lives. Most house cats live anywhere from 12 to 18 years of age. But as you’ve probably guessed, there are a handful of cats that have defied this average. Let’s introduce you to the cat that blew life expectancy out of the water!
Meet Creme Puff — The Oldest Cat on Record
Creme Puff the cat is a domestic shorthair that lived to be 38 years old! This impressive cat was born on August 3, 1967 in Austin, Texas, and lived through three decades. Since Creme Puff, other cats have been crowned as the oldest living cat. But none have even come close to 38 years of life.
Creme Puff was named the oldest living cat by Guinness World Records five years after her death in 2010. But she was not the only impressive cat in the home. Her house companion, Granpa Rex Allen, lived for 34 years! Whoever owned these cats must have been doing something right!
Who Did Creme Puff Belong To?
Jake Perry was the proud owner of both Creme Puff and Grandpa Rex Allen. He has lived in Austin, Texas for much of his life, and he takes immense pride in his past and current feline family members. There is even a documentary on Jake and his cat-rescuing endeavors. It shows just how much love he has for each cat in his life.
How Did Creme Puff Live So Long?
There is no way to know the exact reasons why Creme Puff lived such a long life. However, Jake has shared a few tips that he believes to be the cause of her impressive lifespan. He says her diet, which consisted of a few unique items, played a huge role in her health and longevity.
Jake fed Creme Puff dry kibble, but he always supplemented with items such as broccoli, eggs, and turkey bacon. He also offered Creme Puff the occasional sip of coffee with cream. And he even gave her an eyedropper filled with red wine every two days. While vets do not recommend doing this for your feline companion, it is quite an interesting treat!
In addition to Creme Puff’s unique diet, Jake also made sure to keep her as active as possible each day. Not only did he play with her often, but he also built cat steps on the walls to promote climbing. Jake also built a catio in his backyard to offer his cats daily outdoor time in a safe area.
Who Is Currently the Oldest Living Cat?
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Since Creme Puff’s passing, there have been other impressive cats. The current title holder of the world’s currently living oldest cat is a beautiful tortie named Flossie. She is currently going strong at 27 years of age!
Flossie was adopted as an elderly cat by an animal lover named Vicki Green. Vicki originally thought she was offering a home to a senior cat that wouldn’t be around long. She had no idea that she adopted a future record holder! Though she may be a little old lady, Vicki says she is just as sweet and playful as ever.
How Do They Confirm the Ages of the Oldest Cats?
Many people wonder how organizations like Guiness World Records confirm ages. The only way to know a cat’s age is by examining vet records. If pet parents can prove their cat is indeed advanced in age through documented medical history, then these felines can be considered for world titles.
Final Thoughts
Creme Puff was an incredible lady that may always be known as the oldest house cat to ever live. We are so happy to share Creme Puff’s impressive story, and we cannot wait to keep up with the current title holder, Flossie! You can stay up to date on Flossie’s life here!
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
