Flossie, the world's oldest cat, celebrates milestone birthday, defying all odds

2 min read Original article ↗
Vicki Green with Flossie.
A UK cat named Flossie turned 30 on December 29, extending her Guinness World Record as the oldest living cat on Earth. Cats Protection/Guinness World Records

Did she combine all her nine lives?

An aged cat named Flossie has just reached another major life milestone.

The long-lived feline turned 30 on Dec. 29, extending her Guinness World Record run as the oldest living cat on Earth, the Express Tribune reported.

Vicki Green holding a  plaque verifying Flossie's Guinness World Record.
“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,” gushed owner Vicki Green (pictured with a Guinness World Record plaque verifying her kitty’s achievement). Cats Protection/Guinness World Records

Born on Dec. 29, 1995, the British domestic shorthair tortoiseshell cat lived in a feral colony in Merseyside, England, before she was rescued as a kitten by a hospital worker.

In 2022, she attained the aforementioned world record for living 26 years and 316 days — the human equivalent of 120 years old.

“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,” gushed her current guardian, Vicki Green, who lives in Orpington, outside of London.

The Brit adopted the kitty during her more “mature years” from UK-based charity Cats Protection, where she ended up after her previous owners died.

Flossie and plaque.
Flossie next to a plaque verifying her Guinness World Record. Guinness World Records / YouTube

“I’ve always wanted to give older cats a comfortable later life,” said Green. “I’m immensely proud that Cats Protection matched me with such an amazing cat.”

When she was verified, the miracle mouse-catcher was deaf and had poor vision.

Despite these age-related ailments, Flossie was otherwise in good health and was “affectionate and playful” just like a kitten, according to Green.

It’s yet unclear what the secret is to the spry senior’s longevity.

However, Cats Protection noted that she maintained a consistent daily regimen that included gentle play, regular meals and prolonged periods of sleep.

Despite her advanced age, Flossie is not the oldest feline to ever prowl the planet.

That honor goes to Creme Puff, a mixed tabby from Austin, Texas, who was born on Aug. 3, 1967, and lived until Aug. 6, 2005 — an astonishing 38 years and three days.