A 31-year-old tortoiseshell cat from the United Kingdom is believed to be the world’s oldest living feline, with her owner crediting a simple lifestyle, mineral water and plenty of affection for her remarkable longevity.
Millie, who was born in 1995, recently celebrated her 31st birthday, making her the equivalent of around 146 human years.
Her owner, Leslie Greenhough, 71, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said Millie has been drinking only Buxton natural mineral water for the past 10 years after concerns over the quality of tap water during nearby pipe works.
“I’ve stuck with the mineral water ever since, and so has Millie,” he said.
Millie’s diet also includes salmon, prawns, chicken, tuna and cat food, while she enjoys daily cuddles and spends most of her time relaxing indoors.
Originally owned by Leslie’s late wife, Paula, Millie joined the family as a three-month-old kitten in 1995. After Paula died from COVID-19 in 2020, Leslie said the cat struggled to eat for a period before gradually returning to her normal routine.
According to Leslie, Millie became an indoor cat after being bullied by neighbourhood cats, and he believes the quieter lifestyle may have contributed to her long life.
With Britain experiencing warm weather, Leslie has also been helping Millie stay comfortable by placing ice cubes in her water and keeping two fans running to cool her down.
Although Leslie hopes to have Millie recognised by Guinness World Records, he is unable to officially verify her age because most of the original records were kept by his late wife. The only remaining evidence is a photograph taken in 1995 showing Millie as a kitten.
Despite her age, Leslie said Millie remains calm and affectionate, usually waking around midday before spending time with him, relaxing in sunny spots around the house and occasionally exploring the garden.
