Growing up with my childhood cat, Honeybun, was an unforgettable experience. Her affectionate nature and warm greetings every time I came home filled my life with joy. Losing her last February left a huge void. Honeybun was always sweet, but especially so in her later years. That’s when I decided, once I had my own place, I would adopt older cats, offering them a loving home instead of a cage in their twilight years.
Last summer, settling into my own flat in London, I felt ready to adopt. Browsing Cats Protection, a wonderful charity dedicated to rescuing and rehoming cats, I stumbled upon Flossie. Her profile listed her as a 27-year-old tortoiseshell. Initially, I dismissed it as a typo, thinking she must be 17. To my surprise, Cats Protection confirmed she was indeed 27 – the same age as me! The thought of sharing a birth year with Flossie was surreal.
Adopting Flossie, I anticipated having only a few months with her. My goal was simple: to provide a comfortable, warm home, good food, treats, and a cozy bed for her final days. I wanted her to feel loved and receive the attention she deserved. Over a year later, Flossie is still thriving! Having just celebrated her 28th birthday on December 29th, she continues to defy expectations as the world’s oldest living cat.
Flossie is a petite indoor cat with a big personality and an insatiable need for affection. She’s incredibly friendly, readily hopping onto anyone’s lap. Her favourite spot is the sunny balcony, her personal sanctuary. Despite being the same age in human years, I still see her as my baby. She’s my child, my best friend, my family – always there to greet me when I return home.
Her daily routine is quite charming: a loud meow at six every morning demanding breakfast, followed by a nap, afternoon snacks, and more naps. She has a select few toys she enjoys playing with. Every night, as soon as I get into bed, she climbs onto my chest, snuggles into my lap for a nap, and then moves down to my feet for the rest of the night.
I believe Flossie’s longevity is a mix of good fortune and the love she received from her previous owners. She’s now on a special diet but remains surprisingly active for her age. Although I bought her pet stairs to reach the sofa, she ignores them, preferring to jump everywhere.
Later, someone from Cats Protection contacted me, suggesting Flossie might be the world’s oldest living cat. Veterinary records confirmed her birthdate as December 1995. While surprised, I didn’t expect the enormity of what was to come. Guinness World Records visited to document Flossie’s record. Suddenly, photos of Flossie and me were everywhere, bringing an outpouring of heartwarming responses. One kind gentleman even painted Flossie’s portrait and sent it to Cats Protection, who forwarded it to me along with a toy mouse and treats.
One of the most unforgettable moments was watching TV with Flossie and seeing ourselves on screen. She was oblivious to the fuss, of course, but it was a surreal and joyful experience. I even had the honour of giving a speech at the Cats Protection awards ceremony in her name. I shared how heartwarming it was to see older cats being recognized and given loving retirement homes.
Caring for a senior cat does come with its challenges. Flossie is both deaf and partially sighted. Yet, she is remarkably easy to care for. The biggest challenge is facing the inevitable – the thought of her passing. It’s something I’m in denial about. Looking at her, she doesn’t seem old at all. Who knows? She might even be on track to become the oldest cat in history. But even if she doesn’t surpass the record of 38 years and three days, I take comfort knowing she’s spending her golden years in a wonderful home filled with love.
As told to Diyora Shadijanova
