Top 6 long-lived cats and ways to join the ranks of record holders

It's hard to find a person who doesn't love their pet. Unfortunately, most animals age much earlier than their owners. The average lifespan of a cat living at home is 15-18 years . However, some representatives of the genus stand out from the rest. The oldest cat in the world lived much longer.

Cream Puff and Lucy

The title of the oldest cat in the world is firmly assigned to a cat named Cream Puff. She was born in August 1967 and died at the beginning of the twenty-first century, in 2005. At that time she was 38 years and three days old . For her age, Cream Puff was included in the Guinness Book of Records, and her performance has not yet been surpassed by anyone.

It is interesting that this cat displaced the cat with whom she lived under the same roof from the pedestal. Their owner was Jake Perry, a US citizen. First he had a Sphynx cat named Granpa. He was born in 1964 and died when he was 34 years and two months old. A year after his death, Granpa received the title “Cat of the Year” in one of the magazines, and also found himself in the Guinness Book of Records. He was later replaced by Jake Perry's other cat, Cream Puff.

Despite the fact that officially the title of the oldest cats belonged to these animals, in fact the true record belongs to Lucy. She was born a little later, in 1972, and at the beginning of 2011 she was already over 39 years old . The only problem is that Lucy’s age is not officially confirmed, and therefore is not registered in the Guinness Book of Records.

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.

Haze and Blackie

There are long-lived cats in Russian-speaking countries. For example, there is a known cat named Dymka, who is already more than twenty-seven years old. She is often talked about in the Russian media. Next up is an English cat named Blackie. Despite its name, it is an animal with long white fur. She is twenty-five years old, and so far the only thing that bothers her is minor vision problems.

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.

Murka

When Murka was a little kitten, not even a week old, she ended up in Star City, where she fell into the hands of V. Trunov’s family. At that time, he was responsible for the process of training cosmonauts on the territory of the Soviet Union . Since 1985, Murka has lived for twenty years. The owners explained such a respectable age by the personal characteristics of the cat, its character, as well as its position in the house. They considered their pet a real member of the family.

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?

Roxana and Chernyshka

Roxanne, like India, died at the age of nineteen. This is a Persian breed cat that lived in Russia, in the city of Serov. It was possible to establish the exact date of birth and death, since the animal had a serious pedigree. The same cannot be said about Chernyshka, another Russian cat, but she also lived quite a long time. The courtyard black beauty with a gentle character was about sixteen years old.

Nutmeg and Velvet

Nutmeg is one of the cats that is stubbornly approaching the numbers indicated in the Guinness Book of Records. He lives with Ian and Liz Finlay in Newcastle, UK. He is already thirty-one years old, although it is difficult to accurately determine the animal’s age. The fact is that the future owners found him in their garden when he was already quite old. The tortured, sick cat, who suffered from severe ulcers, was taken to the veterinarian. After examination, he said that Nutmeg was approximately five years old at that time.

The cat that came closest to these indicators was Velvet, who lived in America, in the state of Oregon. He is the oldest among male cats. His age is listed in the Guinness Book of Records at 27 years.

The age of a cat by human standards

For a long time, a simple method was used to calculate the age of a cat in human equivalent: one year of an animal’s life was equivalent to 7 years of human life. This scheme gave quite interesting results:

• a one-year-old kitten was equivalent to a seven-year-old child;
• a two-year-old cat was equivalent to a fourteen-year-old teenager;
• a twelve-year-old cat was considered an almost hundred-year-old old-timer.

In reality, this scheme does not allow us to correctly compare the stages of development of humans and animals. A more correct calculation system is using the compliance coefficient. This coefficient refers to the number of years lived by a person (taking into account the emotional sphere and social intelligence), which correspond to one cat year of life. The information obtained allows the owner to better understand the pet and determine the stages of its maturation.

Table: correlation with a person’s age

It is worth noting that this technique is the most objective and truthful, but does not guarantee reliable results. The thing is that a cat’s psyche is structured differently from a human’s, so it’s not worth perceiving a two-year-old pet as a fully formed personality.

Why do some cats live so long?

It is a well-known fact that street cats rarely live longer than five to seven years, and this is not only due to the numerous dangers that await them at every step. A variety of factors influence the lifespan of an animal. Some believe that this is affected, for example, by the breed of the cat and its pedigree.

There is evidence that Persian cats live several years longer than others. British and Siamese breeds also have good performance. However, there is also contrary data. They say that long-lived animals are usually outbred animals.

If you pay attention to the list of record holders given above, it becomes clear that the breed is unlikely to have any significant influence on the issue of longevity. Pedigree can still have an effect, since good genetics sometimes provides the animal with good health, which, of course, is important. However, the real secret of life expectancy is hidden in something completely different.

Lifespan of cats

Indoor cats live on average 12–18 years, while outdoor cats only live 5–8 years. Such a significant difference in life expectancy is due to habitat. Animals living outdoors are exposed to deadly dangers every day, including:

• attack by dogs;
• catching by flayers;
• poor quality food;
• infection with infectious diseases;
• receiving injuries and mutilations as a result of falls, fights with enemies;
• falling under the wheels of a car.

It is not uncommon for cats to become victims of inappropriate people. It is for these reasons that yard cats live much shorter than their domestic relatives. Pets that never leave their house or apartment have every chance of becoming long-livers. They are protected from various external dangers, provided with everything necessary for a good life, and surrounded by the care and attention of their owners.

Some owners occasionally let their domestic cats roam outside the house. From personal experience I can say that such walks are extremely dangerous for pets. Unlike their street relatives, they are not adapted to the environment, do not have an instant reaction and cannot objectively assess the threatening risks. Careless behavior often causes accidents and can be fatal.

In addition to the habitat, the life expectancy of cats is influenced by such factors as:

• genetics. Trying to breed purebred representatives of a certain breed, breeders mate close relatives with each other. This leads to kittens being born with a large number of hereditary diseases. Since this does not happen in their natural habitat, outbred cats and half-breeds are considered the healthiest;
• diet. Complete and balanced food that contains essential vitamins and minerals will prolong the life of the animal. Eating cheap food with a large number of chemical elements and artificial substitutes, on the contrary, causes irreparable harm to the pet’s health;
• chronic diseases. If not treated in a timely manner, a seemingly insignificant ailment becomes chronic and depletes the cat’s body. Urolithiasis, diabetes mellitus, and diseases of the upper respiratory tract significantly shorten the life of a cat.
• psychological microclimate in the family. If a pet is subjected to physical punishment, witnesses constant quarrels and scandals between household members, it plunges into a state of stress and anxiety. A poor emotional background causes the development of serious diseases, which can lead to death;
• floor. Each pregnancy depletes the female’s body, but despite this obvious fact, scientists have found that cats live 2-3 years longer than males. The fact is that males spend a large amount of energy on conquering territory, fighting enemies, and directly courting females;
• reproductive function. Sterilized animals live 3–4 years longer due to the absence of hormonal imbalances and stress associated with puberty, as well as a significant reduction in the risk of developing cancer. The average life expectancy of spayed (neutered) pets is 15–20 years.

How to extend the life of your cat?

Every owner wants his pet to stay with him as long as possible. Of course, you need to be realistic and understand that separation will happen, sooner or later.

Fortunately, some tips will help you postpone the sad moment.

• From birth you need to choose the right diet for your pet. It is best to do this with the help of a veterinarian. Based on the examination, he will advise what exactly and in what quantities the cat should eat.
• You will have to visit the veterinarian afterwards. First of all, this is necessary for all vaccinations that need to be done regularly. Also, routine examinations will help to detect and eliminate health problems in a timely manner. It is important to remember that cats are excellent at masking pain, and therefore it is worth taking them to the doctor even if there are no signs of illness.
• Physical activity is important for animals at any age. Even if the cat is already more than ten years old, it is quite possible to arrange races with it around the apartment or, for example, you can make it run in circles with the help of a toy.
• Don't underestimate the importance of dental health. To take care of them, you need to visit the veterinarian regularly and brush them with a special brush.
• If a cat or cat has no value from a breeding point of view, the animal must be castrated or sterilized according to all the rules, at the appropriate time. A doctor will help you determine it.

After spaying and neutering, you will need to change your diet. You also need to constantly monitor the appearance of worms and fleas, and treat the animal for any parasites. Finally, the most important thing is that you need to love your pet and devote your time and attention to it.

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.

Rare cockatoo and Churchill parrot

The lifespan of parrots depends primarily on their species. Small parrots (for example, budgerigars) live about 10-15 years. Medium-sized birds can live from 20 to 30 years. The actual life span of large parrots is not precisely determined. According to some reports, some individuals can live up to 100 years or more.

Photo: Wikipedia / Nimesh M

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest parrot living in captivity died in 2021. It was a pink cockatoo named Cookie who lived at the Brookfield Zoo (Chicago, Illinois, USA). The feathered centenarian was 83 years old. Kuki came to the zoo in 1934. He was brought here from Sydney's Taronga Zoo when he was one year old. Kuki was a member of a rare species of cockatoo - the Inca. In the wild, these birds are found only on one continent - Australia. They can be recognized by their white-yellow-red crest, which reaches 17 centimeters in height, pink head and white wings.

However, there is another parrot that has become a legend thanks not only to its phenomenally long life, but also to rumors about possible famous owners. This is a blue and yellow female macaw named Charlie who lived at a garden center in Reigate, Surrey, UK. Ara became famous after The Daily Mirror published an article about her in January 2004, claiming that Charlie was born on January 1, 1899 and lived to be 105 years old.

In addition, many media outlets claimed that in 1938, Charlie allegedly belonged to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. These rumors were fueled by pet store owner Peter Oram, who, according to him, bought the bird in 1965. Orem claimed that Churchill taught the parrot to use obscene language and the parrot shouted curses at Adolf Hitler until his old age.

However, in 2004, Churchill’s daughter denied this information. She confirmed that the Prime Minister did keep a similar parrot, but it was a completely different bird.

How old is the oldest cat in Russia?

1. No. 1 According to the “Russian Book of Records”, the longest age of a cat in Russia: Age: 22 years 15 days Record holder’s nickname: Daniel Yanki Place of record setting: Moscow Date of record setting: July 11, 2016 Owner of the animal: Maria Fedotova
2. No. 2 Nickname: Bagheera, nee Gypsy. Age: 32 years Place where the record was set: Solovki Owner of the animal: Lyudmila A small black kitten was given to Lyudmila by a married couple in 1986, when she moved to work as a milkmaid and laboratory assistant in Solovki. At first she was nicknamed Gypsy for her blackness, but two years later, after watching the cartoon “Mowgli”, the name Bagheera stuck with the cat - she also deftly climbed fences and chased other people’s cats.

3. No. 2 Nickname: Smoke Age: 25 years Place of record setting: Tyumen Owner of the animal: Galina Litkevich

How to choose a long-lived breed?

Statistics of the most tenacious cat breeds:

Mourning for a panda

September 14, 2021 became a real day of mourning for all Chinese. No, we are not talking about some terrible catastrophe: on this day, the world's oldest giant panda, named Bassy, ​​died at the Giant Panda Research Center in Fuzhou. She died at the age of 37, which corresponds to more than 100 years of human life. In the wild, pandas live on average 20 years, in captivity a little longer - about 25 years. Therefore, Basy undoubtedly deserves the right to be called a long-liver.

Photo: Wikipedia / Aaron Logan Basy was born in 1980 in the Chinese province of Sichuan. This is the last province where pandas live in a natural wild environment. In 1984, Basy almost died after falling through the ice of a frozen river. Fortunately, people saved it and gave it a name - in honor of that very river. Basa had many adventures: after being rescued, she ended up in a panda conservation center in Fuzhou, and in 1987 she was sent to San Diego for six months as a participant in the policy of panda diplomacy. As part of this program, China temporarily sent pandas, which are considered the country's national symbol, to the zoos of those countries with which it wanted to establish diplomatic contacts. Upon returning home, Basy was chosen as the prototype for the mascot of the XI Asian Games held in Beijing and took part in a number of other events. Basa's farewell ceremony was broadcast on Chinese state television, and a representative of the center where she was held called her "an angel of friendship in the country and abroad." Experts caring for the panda told the media that in recent years Basy suffered from kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver and other diseases. Scientists promised to preserve the bear’s body and display it in a specially built museum.

Record-breaking cats from Russia

Long-lived cats are found not only in the UK and the USA. And in Russia there are many cats whose age is impressive. Often touching stories appear in the media and on social networks about pets living with their owners for 13-20 years or even more.

Bagheera, 35 years old (1986-2021)

The oldest cat living in Russia was born on Solovki in mid-1986. Bagheera was first called Gypsy because of her black fur. When the film “Mowgli” was released, they gave the name to one of the cartoon heroines. The minx spent her entire life famously climbing fences, chasing the neighbors' cats. She brought offspring three times, but now she no longer enjoys the attention of the opposite sex. Owner Lyudmila says that lately the cat has been often sick and sleeps a lot.

Smoke, 28 years (1993-2021)

Smoke - a record holder from Russia
A long-lived cat from Tyumen appeared in the Litkevich house in mid-1993, being very tiny. The children found a funny creature in the entrance, took pity on it and brought it into the house. In his youth, the nimble Smoke fell from the ninth floor. He was sick for almost a whole year, but, thanks to the care and attention, he still lives with his owners, who twice saved him from death.

Daniel Yankee, 26 years old (1994-2021)

A cat with a funny nickname is a hero of the Guinness Book of Records of Russia. In 2016, when mention of him appeared in a reputable publication, Daniel Yankee turned 22 years old. Its owner Maria Fedotova confirmed the pet’s age with documents, which made it possible to record the record.

Murka, 20 years old (1985-2005)

A mongrel cat, born in 1985, lived in Star City. One of the compassionate people picked up a 7-10 days old kitten on the street. They say the cat was lucky - the animal fell into good hands and became a member of the family. The secret to the longevity of Murka, who was buried at the age of 20, was proper care and attention.

Unfortunately, we were not able to find all the photographs of the wonderful record holders. But if you have missing photos of cats or know more about them, please write to us