International Cat Day: What is the Oldest Cat in the World?
The oldest cat to hold the Guinness World Record is a cat called Creme Puff, but do you know who the current oldest cat alive today is—or any of the former record holders?
Newsweek has explored every cat play tunnel and litter box to bring you an official list of the oldest cats in history.
10. Spike
Age: 31 years and two months (deceased)
Gender: Male
Born: May 1970
Died: July 2001
Type: Orange and white longhair
Citizenship: United Kingdom
According to the BBC, Spike was a ginger and white tomcat, who lived in Bridport, Dorset. He died two months after his 31st birthday in the arms of his owner.
He was honored by the Guinness Book of Records after a vet visit in 1998, however, Spike did nearly lose all of his nine lives at 19 years of age after being savaged by a dog.
He was bought in London's Brick Lane market in 1970 for two shillings and sixpence.
9. Kitty
Age: 31 years, 11 months (deceased)
Gender: Female
Born: Unknown
Died: June 1989
Type: Black domestic short hair
Citizenship: United Kingdom
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Kitty was the oldest recorded feline mother to give birth to a litter of kittens. She was 30 at the time.
8. Nutmeg
Age: 32 years (deceased)
Gender: Male
Born: 1985
Died: August 29, 2017
Type: Tabby
Citizenship: United Kingdom
The original Grumpy Cat, this pensioner lived in Blaydon, Tyne and Wear in the United Kingdom. According to the Daily Express, he only had three teeth and his own room in his human parents' house.
7. Miez Maz
Age: 33 years (deceased)
Gender: Male
Born: 1979
Died: February 2012
Type: Longhair
Citizenship: Switzerland
This poor cat did not have the ending he deserved. According to the Metro, Miez Maz used to live in Tagerwilen, Switzerland, setting up in the local train station. The employees would feed him and take care of him.
However, a local vet mistook him for a stray and put him to sleep, causing outrage among locals and the station staff.
6. Sarah
Age: 33 years and six months (deceased)
Gender: Female
Born: March 1982
Died: September 2015
Type: Longhair
Citizenship: New Zealand
The matriarch moggy of Christchurch, Sarah was deaf and would get up three times during the night, according to Stuff.
5. Granpa Rexs Allen
Age: 34 years and two months (deceased)
Gender: Male
Born: February 1, 1964
Died: April 1, 1998
Citizenship: United States
Owned by Jake Perry, this crossbreed made it past his 34th birthday, however, it was nearly touch-and-go whether the cat would make it into the world record books.
According to Cats and Kittens Magazine, Granpa was originally thought to be 33 when he died, but that Perry had potentially miscalculated his age. It turned out he had; by one year.
4. Ma
Age: 34 years and five months (deceased)
Gender: Female
Born: Unknown
Died: November 5, 1957
Type: Tabby domestic shorthair
Citizenship: United Kingdom
It's not reported how Ma died, however, when you see it's on November 5, which is Bonfire Night in the United Kingdom, you can't help but feel a bit sorry for her.
3. Puss
Age: 36 years and one day (deceased)
Gender: Male
Born: November 28, 1903
Died: November 29, 1939
Type: Tabby
Citizenship: United Kingdom
According to the 1990 Guinness Book of World Records, Puss died the day after his birthday. It's also not confirmed whether he spent his life wearing boots.
2. Baby
Age: 38 years (deceased)
Gender: Female
Born: 1970
Died: March 2005
Type: Black domestic shorthair
Citizenship: United States
A cat that probably herself in the corner, this little hermit apparently never ventured outside apart for some declawing at the age of 28. According to Farm Show, Baby also didn't like other pets and once chased a Great Dane out of the house.
1. Creme Puff
Age: 38 years and three days (deceased)
Gender: Female
Born: August 3, 1967
Died: August 6, 2005
Type: Tabby mix
Citizenship: United States
The champ herself. Also owned by Jake Perry, owner of Granpa Rexs Allen, Creme Puff lived on a diet including bacon, broccoli and coffee with heavy cream.
The current living oldest cat is reportedly Rubble, a Maine Coon-type, who was born in May 1988 and is now 31.
