Record for catching mice
By the way, about mice. The record for catching mice belongs to a Scottish cat named Towser. It was established that during his entire life this miracle hunter caught almost 30 thousand mice. Moreover, this is not counting rats, birds and other small animals. There is even a monument erected in memory of this cat.
Did it seem to you that only among people there are record holders for the number of fingers or toes? But no! There is the famous polydactyl cat (from the Greek words “poly” - many and “dactylus” - finger). The current record holder is a cat from Canada (Ontario), which has 27 toes on its front and hind paws. There is also information about a cat with 28 fingers, however, its owners have not yet provided any evidence of this phenomenon.
Cat records in the Guinness Book
Everyone knows about the famous book in which all the world records are recorded. This is the Guinness Book of Records. It was founded by Sir Hugh Beaver, head and director of the world famous brewery (Guinness). Beaver was a good marketer and knew how to present a product. So he conceived a book that would contain answers to all the questions that usually arose in pubs: “Who has the most...?”, “Who is the most...?” It was a big idea.
Issues of the Book of Records are published annually, people from all over the world send applications and compete in the very best achievements. The fastest cars, the biggest cakes, the longest tongues, nails, hair... The smallest woman, the tallest man, the fattest, the thinnest... the very, very, very... And what records have cats set? Let's find out! The loudest cat Which cat has the loudest “meow!”? The 12-year-old cat, Smokey, belongs to Ruth Adams, a resident of the English city of Pittsford. The volume of a cat's voice can reach 67.7 decibels. This amazing value has given rise to many disputes and competitions between other owners of quiet cats. But so far no one has been able to break Smokey’s record. The longest surviving cat, a Taiwanese cat, was found alive in a destroyed building 80 days after the December 1999 earthquake on the island. Long-lived cats The first place among long-livers was taken by the cat Puffy (or Puff) from Texas. She was born on August 3, 1967. Puffy lived happily until August 2005 and died at the age of 38. But history remembers another long-lived cat. The cat from Devonshire, England, was born in 1903. Pet died on November 29, 1939, the day after his thirty-sixth birthday. What is happening nowadays? The oldest living cat, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is a Burmese cat named Catalina, who lives in Melbourne, Australia. Catalina was born on March 11, 1977. She is currently 39 years old. It’s not for nothing that they say that sacred Burma is favored by the gods themselves! The oldest cat mother, Kitty, from Staffordshire, UK, gave birth to two kittens at the ripe old age of 30, and the cat gave birth to 218 kittens in her lifetime. The oldest cat dad In 1952, a tabby cat from America, Texas, named Dusty became a dad again at the age of 18. Over the course of his life, the cat gave birth to more than 420 kittens. Kitty and Dusty could populate the entire planet with their ancestors! The most prolific cat! In this discipline, again, the record belongs to the American cat mother. By 1952, Texas Tabby had given birth to 420 kittens in her lifetime. Tabby fulfilled the life plan of several cats, and probably even exceeded it. The largest litter was on August 7, 1970, a four-year-old Burmese cat named Antigone, from the UK, gave birth to 19 kittens. True, four of them still died, 15 kittens survived (1 cat and 14 males). The longest cat The longest cat is, of course, a representative of the Maine Coon breed. The newly-minted winner lives in America, in the state of Nevada. At five years old, Stewie the cat is 123.2 centimeters long from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. The previous record was 1.2 cm less. The lucky owners of the cat are Robin Hendrickson and Erik Brandsness Reno. In Russia, the unofficial champion is a cat from Novosibirsk named Pinochet. The Maine Coon cat is 120 cm in length. It falls just short of the American record holder. tallest cat among cats is a Savannah cat named Trouble. The height of her body - from shoulders to floor - is 48 cm. Although this cat is large, her weight is very small, only 9 kg. The shortest cat Of course, if the largest cat in the world is the Maine Coon breed, then the smallest cat will be the Singapura breed, you say? No! Munchkin. Measuring 15.24 cm, or 6 inches, from floor to withers, the cat is the height of Fizz Girl, the world's smallest cat who lives with her owner Tiffany Khildergaard in San Diego.
The smallest cat Again, American cats put themselves on the pedestal of fame. The tiniest cat in the world was the Himalayan cat Tinker Toy from Illinois. The cat weighed 680 grams, was 18 cm long and was only 7 cm tall. Such a baby! But in November 1997, the record holder left for another world. In our time, the smallest cat is considered to be Mr. Peebles, a cat also living in Illinois. What a coincidence! Just a state of miniature cats! At the age of two, the cat weighed about 1.35 kg and was only 15.5 cm long. The record was certified by representatives of the Guinness Book of Records in 2004. The heaviest cat for some time was a cat named Himmy, owned by Thomas Wise from Cairns. The family lived in Queensland, Australia. The cat weighed 21.3 kg, or 46.8 pounds. Unfortunately, such weight puts a severe strain on all organs, and the cat died at the age of 10 from respiratory failure. Today, a mustachioed resident of the Urals, Katie, who at 5 years old already weighs 23 kilograms, is vying for Himmi’s place in the famous book! The cat’s waist circumference reached 70 cm. The cat’s owner notes that she did not specifically fatten the pet to such a size, but simply gave the cat hormonal medications so as not to have to deal with problems with the offspring Katie brought. But the Guinness Book of Records no longer accepts nominations in this category, since the organizers have begun to think that, in pursuit of records and fame, animal owners deliberately fatten their pets, one way or another bringing the cats to a painful state. More toes on how many toes should there be on all four paws together? 18! Right. But a five-year-old cat from Ontario, Canada, got into the Guinness Book of Records for having a total of 27 toes. The unofficial winner is a cat from Maine, USA, with 28 toes, but the data has not yet been confirmed by the owners, who have not provided evidence. The most mobile cat A cat named Hamlet escaped from his cage while being transported from Toronto, Canada. The cat was discovered only 7 weeks later on the same plane. During this time, he managed to fly about 600,000 km. The most cosmic cat In space, of all the cats that ever lived on our planet, the cat Felicette from France visited space, who at the last moment replaced the trained astronaut cat Felix, who escaped shortly before the launch. Felicette holds the altitude record for cats, 155 km. The most fantastic cat In Argentina, a cat named Mincho climbed a tree and did not come down for six years. The animal died on the tree. But during her life she managed to give birth to three litters. The owners probably got their cat! The most expensive cat Business knows no boundaries. There is a product, there will be a buyer. Esmond Gay fully justified this statement. The Asian leopard cat, bred by an enthusiast, is the most expensive cat in the world. Zeus, that's the name of the cat, is a hybrid of domestic and wild cats, his price is 100,000 euros. The most famous cat fall Andy the cat set a world record for the largest fall from a height that was not fatal. Andy fell from the 16th floor of a residential building and escaped with minor fright and minor injuries. The case even received a common name as “Andy’s cat record.” The richest cat There are many known cases where cat owners leave them a huge inheritance. Thus, Ben Rea left his cat Blackie £15 million in his will. I wonder what Blackie spent it on? The most gold-loving cat In 2011, not so long ago, the pet of a resident of Kamensk-Uralsk, Russia, seeing jewelry lying “unattended”, dragged it into a safe hiding place. When the cache was discovered, it contained jewelry worth a total of 90.5 thousand rubles. The best mouse hunter “Professional” cats are also celebrated. The tortoiseshell cat Tauser was recognized as the best mouse hunter. She hunted from April 21, 1963 to March 20, 1987 and caught 28,899 mice, as well as other animals (rats, rabbits, insects). The cat's achievements were recorded by workers at the distillery in Scotland where Towser lived and worked. After the death of the hunter, the plant workers erected a monument to her for her help in the fight against rodents. The fastest cat The speed record belongs to the cheetah, a large cat that can reach speeds of up to 112 km per hour.
Photo from public access on the Internet The largest number of cats in one hand Canadian citizens Jack and Donna Wright from Kingston, Ontario, took pride of place in the Guinness Book of Records for having 689 cats. It is interesting that in a country with such a system, cats would be seized if they were found to have a bad attitude, low level of maintenance, etc. In other words, the couple manages to look after the cats at the proper level.
Based on materials from www.droug.ru
What determines a cat's lifespan?
We have already found out above that the main rule that contributes to the longevity of a cat is proper care when kept at home. Even the longest-living breed will quickly have its lifespan shortened if forced into uncomfortable outdoor conditions.
Typically, a domestic cat is in good health, and timely vaccinations protect it from accidental diseases on the street. A balanced diet will have a significant impact: this can be high-quality dry food or natural products.
Street cats live an order of magnitude shorter: from 4 to 8 years. Stray cats rarely reach the age of eight: the animal can be killed by rabies, injuries, or weather conditions. Many animals die from poisoning from expired products.
Life expectancy is not affected by the sex of the animal, except that the life of the female is more difficult due to frequent pregnancies and childbirth. Castrated cats and sterilized domestic cats are free of reproductive system problems, so they live noticeably longer.
Overweight cats live fewer years: this is necessarily accompanied by problems with other body systems, including the musculoskeletal system.
How long do castrated cats live?
Neutered cats live longer than their unneutered counterparts for several reasons. One of them is the absence of problems with oncology. A still neutered cat is not looking for adventures in a distant yard and will not want to fight with a stranger, or even just a stray cat.
Such a cat is also protected from hormonal fluctuations in the reproductive system. Since he has no need to reproduce, all diseases of the genital area pass by.
Difficulties can arise if you do not carefully monitor the diet of such a cat: obesity is known to shorten life expectancy. If the animal does not overeat and spends time physically active, then the cat will not face the problem of obesity.
How long do sterilized cats live?
For some reason, many people believe that sterilized cats live much shorter than unsterilized ones. This is misleading because neutering has a positive effect on your cat's overall health:
- The animal becomes several times calmer, more affectionate and smarter. This occurs due to a decrease in the level of hormones, which sometimes simply blocked many mental processes.
- The cat does not require a male, does not strive to reproduce. As a result, the pet is not nervous, does not experience stress, and does not wear out the body with constant pregnancies and lactation.
The sterilization process significantly increases the life of a cat, and therefore is recommended for owners who do not want to constantly decide on the placement of their pet’s offspring.
Does the lifespan of cats depend on their breed?
Issues of longevity of cats are directly related to the genetics of animals. On the one hand, some purebred cats have good health and the absence of hereditary diseases. For example, all Orientals, Persians and Burmese cats are considered one of the longest-living breeds. The British breed also reaches the 15-year threshold. When breeding breeds, felinologists took into account the hereditary qualities of health, so the nursery always provides information about the approximate number of years that the selected cat will live.
The other side of the influence of genetics is not so rosy: genetic disorders, which inevitably arise during inbreeding, negatively affect the health of the animal and reduce the number of years it lives.
Outbred cats are not subjected to any special crossings, except for the call of natural instinct. However, the health inherent in nature cannot cope with street problems, so yard cats live a short but eventful life.
The oldest cat in Russia (Daniel Yankee and Smoke)
In Russia, there are also long-livers among cats. In 2021, a cat named Daniel Yankee was included in the Russian Book of Records. At that time he was 22 years old.
However, in 2021, another long-liver named Dym was discovered in Tyumen. Now he is over 25 years old. To his owners, the Litkevich family, Dym appeared as a very small kitten when the children brought him from a neighboring entrance. When he was young, a cat chased a bird and jumped from the 9th floor. This fall undermined Dyma's health, but a year later the cat finally recovered. Now the centenarian feels well, but eats very little.
How many years do cats of different breeds live?
This issue often causes controversy. Veterinarians believe that the lifespan of a domestic cat depends more on existing diseases and care, and not on its breed. Breeders do not agree with them, noticing that representatives of different breeds have different life expectancies.
First, let's compare purebred and simple cats. Genetically healthy, purebred parents give birth to purebred kittens. Naturally, their chances of living a long, happy life in a family are much greater than their wandering brothers.
Cats, which owe their birth to selective breeding, have relatively poor health. The structure of their body was artificially changed by geneticists. Other breeds are indigenous, they appeared naturally, adapting to environmental conditions. If we compare “designer” and “natural” purebred cats, the latter live longer. Selected breeds are prone to genetic diseases and require special care.
Let's look at the average life expectancy of popular breeds.
British
British cats have developed muscles, strong immunity and lead an active lifestyle. Representatives of this breed live 12-15 years, and some live up to 20, of course, with proper care. Genetic diseases are rarely observed in British cats. The risk of cancer is low.
British shorthair cat
Scottish fold cats
Teddy bear cubs are real long-livers! They have enviable immunity and can live up to 20 years. Examine your pet regularly, as its weak points are the ears and spine.
Scottish fold cat
Siamese
Siamese cats live 14-18 years. However, this breed has incredible endurance, and among them there are long-livers, living up to 30 years of age. The predisposition to a long life can be passed on from generation to generation, so before choosing a kitten, check with the breeder about its pedigree.
Siamese cat
Abyssinian cats
With proper care, Abyssins live about 15 years, some cats live up to 20. Representatives of this breed have a predisposition to diseases of the kidneys, retina, blood and teeth.
Abyssinian cat
Persians
Each variety of the Persian breed has its own life expectancy indicator. Cats with short noses live longer than their extreme and classic counterparts - 20 years versus 15
It is important to pay special attention to cats that have crossed the 10-year mark. At this time, the Persian's immunity weakens, and problems with joints, spine and kidneys may occur. You need to regularly visit the veterinarian, carefully pick up the cat in your arms, and take breaks from playing.
Some Persians find it difficult to bend down; they should place the bowl on a slight elevation
You need to regularly visit the veterinarian, carefully pick up the cat in your arms, and take breaks from playing. Some Persians find it difficult to bend down; they should place the bowl on a slight elevation.
Persian cat
Russian blue cats
When properly kept at home, Russian Blue cats live an average of 15 years. It is possible to extend the life of cats as much as possible up to 18-19 years. Starting from the age of 8, the owner must take his pet to the veterinarian annually.
Russian blue cat
Bengals
Bengal cats live long lives due to their lack of cardiovascular disease. The average life expectancy is 15-16 years. Graceful Bengals are one of the strongest and hardiest breeds.
Bengal cat
Sphinxes
The average lifespan of a Sphynx is 10 years, but hairless cats can please their owners for 20 years. There is even a known case when a sphinx lived for 31 years. Pets of this breed can boast of excellent immunity even in advanced years.
Canadian Sphynx
Other breeds
The real long-livers, reaching 20 years, are the Thai breed, the American Shorthair and the Manx. The average life span of the Asian tabby and Egyptian Mau is one year less. Devon Rex, Japanese Bobtail and Tiffany reach adulthood. The Australian Smoky, Neva Masquerade and Maine Coon live a little less - 17 years. 15-16 years is the limit for the Arabian Mau, Asian Shorthair and Selkirk Rex. Exotic cats, Yorkie chocolate cats, and American bobtails live up to 14 or 13 years of age. The Bombay cat and Snowshoe can delight their owners for 12 years.
The longest cat Snowby
The world's longest cat, Snowby, lived in Scotland with Lorna Sutherland. Its length from nose to tip of tail was 1.03 m, the tail itself was 31 cm long, and this handsome man weighed 9.5 kg. The height at the withers was only 33 cm. Lorna herself and the local veterinarian were the first to notice Snowby’s dimensions. Representatives of the Guinness Book noticed the future record holder in 1997, when he was 4 years old. Lorna claims that she always knew that her favorite would become famous all over the world, and not just in her home country. Snowby didn't climb tables; he didn't need to. He simply stood up on his hind legs and took whatever he liked from the table. The celebrity's menu included turkey, tuna, rice pudding, and Snowby's preferred drink was coffee.
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?
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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
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 2021 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.
The best cat breeds
1. Outbred kittens.
Cats without a breed can produce completely unpredictable offspring, with very different characters, both purebred and mongrel cats. They can have a variety of colors, short or long legs, they can be fluffy or not very fluffy, they are different. However, outbred kittens have one thing in common: they are very friendly, do not show aggression and are not vindictive.
Cats of this breed are cheerful and love to play, in addition, they will not bother you with their “meows”, since they are not particularly “talkative”. These cats adapt well to new environments and easily “find a common language” with children and other animals. Their fur is quite large, more like fluff, so sometimes you have to clean carpets and furniture.
3. American Curl.
Cats of this breed are distinguished by their unusual ears. Their color may be different, but the ears always remain of an unusual shape. They have a silky, medium fluffy coat. These cats are very gentle and good-natured. They show aggression extremely rarely and do not hold grudges.
4. The British cat is the best cat breed for children.
Children love these fluffies that they can cuddle without worrying about their finger. These cats are calm and self-confident, and their patient and kind nature makes them quite lazy (they are inactive). They can make friends with a dog or other pet. Their coat does not require special care. Cats are susceptible to diseases, so it is worth monitoring their health, protecting them from diseases.
5. Abyssinian cat.
These cats are very active, like small children. They are very inquisitive and stick their noses everywhere. We do not recommend purchasing this kitten for small children, as it loves to be treated with respect and can scratch. The coat is short and does not require special care.
6. The Burmese cat is an excellent “nanny” from the feline family.
These cats have unusual patience and do not show aggression at all. They are very active and inquisitive, but not overly so, so you don't have to worry. They only meow for business. Their coat is short and does not require special care.
7. The Bengal cat is funny and mischievous.
She is able to restore “order” in a matter of minutes, so you should not leave her unattended where there is a lot of interesting things for her. Bengals are good for friendship, but cannot become a toy (they can sharpen their claws).
8. Scottish fold (straight-eared) cat.
Scottish cats are very friendly. They are silent, do not bite or scratch, but do not like to be held for long periods of time and can be frightened by loud noises (noisy games). Read how to name a Scottish cat.
9. Persian cats are just adorable.
They are very reminiscent of a toy, as their faces depict cute images, and the fluff makes them soft and fluffy, like teddy bears. They communicate well with children: they do not offend and are not afraid to play with them. Their coat requires constant brushing and special care.
10. Ragdoll.
Cats of this breed are called “rag dolls” because they allow you to do whatever you want with them. They do not scratch or bite, but, like a tail, follow the owner's heels. This calm breed is one of the best cat options for children.
11. Orientals.
Exquisite cats with unusual facial features and body shape. They are floppy-eared, slender and long-legged, so graceful, with an elongated nose, they resemble small dogs. Their character is quite flexible, they are affectionate, sociable and lively. They, like dogs, can bring you anything: a ball, a mouse. Their peculiarity is sensitivity to cold, so it is worth monitoring the temperature in which they live.
There are other cat breeds that you might like. We advise you to consider all the arguments in favor of any of them and choose the best cat that will make you happy!
The richest cat Blackie
Blackie is the heir to millionaire antiquarian Ben Rea. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Blackie became the richest cat in the world in 1988. Ben was not a sociable person; his lifestyle was close to reclusive. His companions throughout his life were cats. Blackie was lucky enough to be Ben's latest furry pal. According to the will, the cat was to receive “all the best” and become the owner of 15 million pounds sterling. Ben bequeathed another 15 million to Blackie's guardians - the British cat protection society. The millionaire's relatives made attempts to contest the will, trying to convince the court that Ben Rea was not of sound mind at the time of writing the document, but the court remained on Blackie's side.