‘World’s Oldest Cat’ Dies in Finland at Age 32

Jylppy, a 32-year-old Finnish cat considered the world’s oldest living cat, has died before his application for the official title could be processed.

Tiina Korhonen, the cat’s owner, confirmed the death from an animal crematorium in the Viikki district of Helsinki on Monday morning. Viikki is well-known locally as a major hub for veterinary medicine and animal sciences in Finland.

Domestic cats typically live between 12 and 15 years, making a 32-year lifespan exceptionally rare. The oldest cat ever recorded globally was a 38-year-old cat from the United States, while current living record holders are generally in their late twenties.

Korhonen applied to Guinness World Records earlier this year, which brought Jylppy public attention and media coverage. The organization did not have time to confirm the title before the cat passed away.

Jylppy remained in remarkably good health for most of his life. Korhonen noted that physical signs of aging only became apparent at the start of this year.

The cat began losing muscle mass and experiencing stomach issues. After a sudden decline a few days ago where Jylppy stopped eating entirely, Korhonen made the decision to let him go early Monday.

Korhonen expressed deep sadness but emphasized that Jylppy lived a happy and safe life. She described him as humorous and a ladies’ man among other cats. He even had a girlfriend and a wife at the same time.

The transition will be difficult for Korhonen, who had cared for Jylppy since he was a kitten. She told local media that the hardest part will be returning to an empty home.

Working at her pet boarding facility, Kissanpäivät, will help her manage the grief by allowing her to interact with other cats daily.

Korhonen plans to keep a piece of Jylppy with her permanently. According to a report by Finland’s public broadcaster YLE, she intends to wear a ring embedded with a small portion of his ashes.

An American cat lived for 38 years

The title for the oldest cat to ever live belongs to a feline named Creme Puff. She was born on August 3, 1967, and lived until August 6, 2005, reaching the incredible age of 38 years and 3 days.

To put Creme Puff’s age into perspective, if she were a human, she would have been well over 160 years old.

Creme Puff lived in Austin, Texas, with her owner, Jake Perry. Her longevity is a subject of fascination among veterinarians and cat enthusiasts alike, as the average lifespan for an indoor cat is typically between 12 and 18 years.

Interestingly, Jake Perry was also the owner of another record-breaking cat named Grandpa Rex Allen. Grandpa Rex Allen was born in 1964 and lived until 1998, reaching the age of 34 years and 2 months.

Because Perry owned two of the longest-lived cats in history, many people have speculated about his secret to feline longevity.

According to Perry, his cats’ diets were a significant factor. He reportedly fed them a unique menu that included dry cat food supplemented with broccoli, eggs, turkey bacon, and coffee with heavy cream.

While this diet is unconventional and certainly not recommended by most veterinarians, Perry claimed it contributed to their health. He also noted that he kept his home very cat-friendly, providing them with plenty of space to roam and climb, including a custom-built cinema in his garage where he played nature documentaries for his cats.

While Creme Puff holds the official Guinness World Record, there have been anecdotal reports of other cats living into their early 40s.