How long can a cat live? You might be surprised at the answer!
Although the average lifespan for an indoor-only, male cat is 12-14 years, some cats manage to live considerably longer. Cats of 17, 18, even 20 years old are not too uncommon. But then on the very far end of the bell curve, you have the world's oldest cats!
Currently the world's record is held by Creme Puff, who was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as being 38 years old and 3 days at the time of her death. Creme Puff lived with Jake Perry, an Austin, Texas cat lover who is the subject of this ten minute mini documentary.
The documentary "South Paws" also details Perry's earlier cat Granpa Rex Allen, a Sphinx cat who died at the age of 34 years and 2 months. Granpa was born in Paris in 1964 and died in 1998, but not before starring as the centerfold of Cat Fancy magazine, as well as being posthumously awarded "Cat of the Year" by Cats & Kittens Magazine. Granpa insisted on a varied diet which included broccoli, bacon, asparagus and eggs.
Creme Puff's record was nearly broken by Baby, a black cat in Duluth, Minnesota who was certified the second oldest living cat. Baby died at 36, and looks remarkably spry in this news story. Baby's owners rescued him as a kitten, when they came across a group of children who had tossed him into a trash can, and were throwing in lit fireworks. They attribute his longevity to lots of exercise, and the occasional Cheez Doodle.
What can you do to ensure your own cat's longevity? Just as with humans, clean living is the best start! Even - perhaps especially - elderly cats should be encouraged to get plenty of exercise. Exercise can be as simple as batting at a feather wand toy, or as demanding as chasing a laser pointer dot around the room. Check out pet stores and online retailers for some of the new, unique cat toys for sale!
Older cats also need better nutrition. Most premium brands offer a "senior blend" which will include more roughage (to help with stomach issues) and reduced calories (to prevent obesity).
And if your older cat seems lethargic or "off," don't just write it off as old age - see a vet. If these videos prove one thing, it's that even the oldest cats, when healthy, are just as vibrant and alive as a younger cat!