Introducing Creme Puff
Creme Puff holds the record for being the oldest cat ever documented, living an astounding 38 years and 3 days before passing away in 2005 [1]. According to Guinness World Records, no other cat has surpassed Creme Puff’s impressive life span [2]. At the time of her death at the ripe old feline age of 38, Creme Puff was living with her owner, Jake Perry, in Austin, Texas. Perry had another cat who lived to be 34, so it’s clear he provided an exceptionally loving and healthy home for his furry companions.
Creme Puff’s Early Life
Creme Puff was born on August 3, 1967 in Austin, Texas to owners Jake and Tabitha Perry (1). As a kitten, Creme Puff lived an ordinary life with the Perry family. According to Jake Perry, Creme Puff was one of many cats he cared for, though nothing particularly set her apart in her early years (2). Perry raised and bred cats as a hobby, but did not expect Creme Puff would go on to become the oldest cat in history.
Sources:
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creme_Puff_(cat)
(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/v21mwn/rip_creme_puff_the_oldest_cat_to_have_ever_lived/
Diet and Health
Creme Puff was known for her longevity, living for 38 years and 3 days before passing away in August 2005.[1] According to her owner Jake Perry, her diet consisted mainly of dry cat food supplemented with small amounts of broccoli, eggs, turkey bacon, and coffee with cream.[1] Creme Puff was not given any human food or treats. She ate only one meal per day, which was a small portion of dry cat food.[2] This carefully controlled, low-calorie diet likely contributed to her exceptionally long life.
In addition to her diet, Creme Puff was known to be in good health throughout her life. She maintained a healthy weight and had good mobility even into her late 30s.[1] For a cat of her advanced age, she was surprisingly active and alert. Her owner Jake Perry attributed her longevity and good health to the care and diet he provided her.
Personality and Habits
Creme Puff was known for being a quiet, gentle cat, especially in her older years. As she aged past 30, she became much less active and preferred napping for up to 20 hours a day (Source). Jake Perry, her owner, described her as having a “pleasant personality.” She didn’t make demands for attention or food. Perry noted that “she was a very nice cat, but she wasn’t exceptional…she just lived a long time.”
In her younger years, Creme Puff was more energetic and playful, but never overly rambunctious. As a senior cat, she was quite docile and easygoing. She spent her days relaxing in Perry’s workshop stretched out on an army blanket.
World Records
Creme Puff officially holds the record for the oldest cat ever according to Guinness World Records. She lived to the incredible age of 38 years and 3 days before passing away in 2005. This smashed the previous record held by Granpa Rexs Allen who lived to be 34 years old.
Creme Puff was verified as the oldest cat ever by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1998 at the age of 30. She surpassed Granpa by almost 4 years, an astounding feat for a feline. Even more remarkably, Creme Puff retained this record throughout the rest of her long life, remaining the official oldest cat until her death at 38.
She was recognized globally for her amazing longevity, setting a bar that is yet to be matched or broken by another cat. To this day, no feline has officially exceeded Creme Puff’s age, cementing her status as the longest-lived cat verified by Guinness.
Later Life and Passing
Creme Puff lived a long and happy life with her owner Jake Perry in Austin, Texas. According to Perry, Creme Puff was a loving and playful cat even into her late 30s. She maintained a healthy diet and exercised daily by playing with wand toys.
In August 2005, at the amazing age of 38 years and 3 days old, Creme Puff passed away peacefully in her sleep. Her owner Jake Perry found her curled up in her favorite spot on the couch. At the time of her death, Creme Puff held the Guinness World Record for the oldest cat ever. Her record reign lasted until 2012 when it was broken by another Perry cat named Grandpa Rex Allen who lived to be 38 years and 2 days old.
Creme Puff’s long life surpassed the average domestic cat lifespan of 12-18 years. Her longevity can likely be attributed to her healthy diet, daily exercise regimen, loving home environment, and genetics according to experts. Creme Puff’s passing marked the end of an era and an incredible lifetime for the feline. She continues to be remembered as the queen of supercentenarian cats.
Life Span Factors
There are several key factors that contributed to Creme Puff’s extraordinarily long life according to experts,
(source) including her indoor lifestyle and genetics.
Living indoors likely helped protect Creme Puff from diseases, predators, accidents, and other hazards common for outdoor cats. Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor cats, with average life expectancies of 10-15 years versus just 2-5 years for ferals. The controlled, consistent environment inside a home provides safety and stability.
Genetics also play a major role in feline longevity. Purebred cats tend to have shorter average life spans than mixed breeds. As a domestic shorthair with no specialized breeding, Creme Puff may have benefited genetically. Her parents also lived to ripe old ages of 21 and 23.
Impact and Legacy
Creme Puff left behind an incredible legacy as the world’s oldest cat. She inspired other pet owners to properly care for their cats to promote longevity. As Jake Perry, Creme Puff’s owner, said, “I took great care of her because of the longevity gene she had” (source). Her record-breaking lifespan showed the amazing potential lifespans cats can reach.
Even after her passing in 2005 at the age of 38 years and 3 days, Creme Puff continues to be remembered fondly. She appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records and is still considered one of the most fascinating and beloved cats. Her personality and quirks in her old age, like enjoying TV poker, endeared her to fans worldwide. Creme Puff demonstrated that senior cats can remain active and content. She set an aspirational benchmark for taking excellent care of cats to prolong their lives.
Other Supercentenarian Cats
While Creme Puff holds the record for the oldest cat ever, there have been several other cats that have lived exceptionally long lives. Some other noteworthy supercentenarian cats include:
Scooter – Scooter was a Siamese cat owned by Gail Floyd of Mansfield, Texas. He was born on March 26, 1986 and lived to be 30 years and 3 days old, dying on March 30, 2016. Scooter entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2016 as the oldest living cat.
Tiffany Two – This black and orange tortoiseshell cat was born on June 7, 1988 and lived to be 27 years old. She passed away in 2015 after being the oldest living cat for a short period of time before Scooter. Tiffany Two lived in San Diego with her owners David and Christine Olson.
Ma – Ma was an orange tabby cat who lived in Sakura, Japan. She lived to be 26 years old before passing away in 2009. Ma entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living cat in 2006.
Grandpa Rex Allen – This Maine Coon cat lived in Orlando, Florida with his owner Jake Perry. Grandpa Rex Allen was born in 1989 and passed away at the age of 25 years and 2 months in 2014, joining the ranks of supercentenarian cats.
Conclusions
Creme Puff lived an extraordinarily long life for a cat, reaching the age of 38 years and 3 days. As the oldest cat ever recorded, she holds a Guinness World Record and stands out as a remarkable feline. Creme Puff’s story illustrates just how long some cats can live with excellent care, and a bit of luck. While her exact longevity secrets remain unknown, the fact that cats like Creme Puff exist gives cat owners and lovers hope that they can enjoy many years with their beloved pets.
Although Creme Puff’s record will likely one day be broken, her age remains a testament to good genes and attentive owners. For now, she represents the outer limits of what we know is possible for feline lifespans. As more cats live longer lives, Creme Puff’s legacy will continue. Her story serves as an inspiration and symbol of the joys and companionship cats can bring throughout the decades.
