The Guinness World Record’s verified oldest living cat, Flossie, is a tortoiseshell kitty from Orpington, UK. In human years, she’s over 125, depending on your cat age calculator. In cat years, she’s 27 and will turn 28 on December 29. Yet the average lifespan tends to be around 13-14 years, with cats over 15 considered geriatric.
The oldest verified cat who ever lived was named Crème Puff, aged 38 and three days. She lived in Austin, Texas and passed away in 2005. We previously shared the story of Rubble the cat, who lived to be 31. Rubble was a fluffy Maine Coon who also resided in the UK.
Despite her advanced age, Flossie’s health has been good, although she is deaf and has impaired vision. Sometimes, she misses the litter box and needs help grooming but otherwise, she’s doing fine. She loves to nap in her yellow blanket and “never turns her nose up at the chance of a good meal.”
The cat outlived two of her previous humans and found herself at Cat’s Protection, who were astounded when they saw her vet records.
“We were flabbergasted when we saw that Flossie’s vet records showed her to be 27 years old,” said Naomi Rosling from Cats Protection. “She’s the oldest cat I’ve ever met – around 140 in human years.”
Images by Cats Protection/Guinness World Records
Flossie’s Golden Years
The rescuers sought the elderly cat a home where she would be well-cared for, and that’s how current “owner” Vicki Green was chosen.
Green specifically searched for a senior cat online, and Flossie was the first one she saw in the results. She immediately thought Flossie was “perfect” and wanted to give her the best years of her life. She had previously cared for four senior kitties, including a 21-year-old.
Green with Flossie
She wants to give the cat a comfortable retirement and hopes the story encourages others to adopt senior pets.
“I knew from the start that Flossie was a special cat, but I didn’t imagine I’d share my home with a world record holder,” said Green.“She’s so affectionate and playful, especially sweet when you remember how old she is. I’m immensely proud that Cats Protection matched me with such an amazing cat,” she added.
In an interview with Guinness, Green says she feels the home belongs to the famous cat. They share the bed at night, snuggling with each other.
“I feel like I’m not sharing my home with the oldest cat, I feel like this is her home and I’m encroaching on her space,” Green said.
Video about Flossie and Green by Guinness World Records:
Flossie Started Life as a Rescued Kitten
Flossie was born near a hospital in Liverpool and rescued by a Merseyside hospital worker in December 1995. Other workers adopted Flossie’s littermates.
After 10 years, they passed away, and she went to live with their sister, who passed away 14 years later. Then, the woman’s son cared for the cat, who was by then age 24. He kept Flossie for several years but then made the difficult decision to take her to Cats Protection.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Rosling. “He sought our help when it was in Flossie’s best interests. Responsible cat ownership is when someone thinks about an animal’s needs above their feelings.”
Tiffany Two the Tortie
Prior to Flossie, another Tortoiseshell cat was the oldest living cat. Tiffany Two took that title at 26 years old in 2015. She lived in San Diego, California. She had good sight and hearing and could still go up and down stairs without issue. Her human Sharon told Guinness about her Tortietude.
“She’s not afraid of anything or anyone. She walks right past the dogs; she’s very feisty!” Sharon said.
The cat sometimes went outside and ate wet and dry food. Tiffany Two passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 27, 2 months, and 20 days.
Video by Riddles HM:
