The oldest cat in the world

It's not just people who can make it into the Guinness Book of Records; animals do too. Take longevity, for example. Until recently, the world's oldest cat was considered to be "mustachioed" Nutmeg, who celebrated his 31st birthday. Converting this retiree's age to human years would put him at over 140 years old—an impressive figure, to say the least. The cat lived in Newcastle, UK, and his owners were Liz and Ian Finlay.

About the record holder

The couple had no idea that their pet would one day become a public figure, appearing in numerous magazines and newspapers. They simply loved and cared for him, creating every comfort for him. Interestingly, the world's oldest cat's name translates from English as "Nutmeg." Before coming home, the animal had to endure much in the wild and fully experience cold, hunger, and all manner of illnesses.

Miserable and weakened, he was found on the street, and Nutmeg looked, frankly, pitiful. Ragged fur, an emaciated body, and unhealed abscesses on his neck—that's how he appeared to the veterinarian, where Liz and Ian took him after his "adoption." Perhaps this is why the cat's gaze took on a melancholy, profound quality, which was repeatedly noted in the comments under the photos published in the press.

After a medical examination, the cat was determined to be at least five years old. The events took place in 1990, and this date became a new starting point for the animal. The owners repeatedly admitted that it wasn't they who ruled the house, but their precious Nutmeg, who subjugated all family members to his desires—sleep soundly, eat well, and make a mess. As he grew older, he earned the affectionate nickname "Grandpa," growling and purring when he didn't like something.

When it became clear that the cat could be listed as the oldest in the world, the Finleys decided to begin collecting the necessary documents to officially confirm their pet's age. Sadly, Nutmeg died in the fall of 2017. heart failure, but the memory of him remained not only in the hearts of his family, but also in the archives of history.

Other famous long-lived cats

31-year-old "Nutmeg" isn't the only cat to hold the honorary title of world's oldest. The following feline figures have also achieved this status at various times:

• Puffy the cat long held the title of long-lived, remaining sane and in good health for 38 years. She died in 2005 in Texas, passing the torch to other meowing successors.

• A Devon cat (his name has been lost due to the passage of time) died at the age of 37 in the arms of his owner literally the day after his name day. This happened in 1939, and his pet's birth date is recorded as 1903.
• Velvet the cat is considered one of the oldest living cats in the world, recently celebrating his 25th birthday. This handsome, mustachioed cat lives in the United States, near Portland. His owner believes the secret to his active lifestyle lies in long walks in the fresh air, good nutrition, and the love and attention he receives from his family.
• Lucy the cat from the UK could also be a contender for the Long Life Medal. According to her guardians, the old lady is already over 40 years old, which is by human standards The equivalent of 180 years. She was found near a store in 1972, and at the time, she appeared to be about two years old. However, since her owners have no official data confirming such an astonishing longevity, she is not yet eligible for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Many miracles happen in the world, so it is possible that soon we will learn about new interesting stories about the lives of cats - some of the most popular and beloved pets of all times and peoples.

Read also:

• How long do domestic cats live? What influences their lifespan?
• Interesting facts about our beloved cats
• World Cat Day 2018