The two oldest cats on record lived to 38 and 34 years old, both were owned by the same owner and lived off a diet of bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.
The World's Oldest Cats Ate Bacon, Eggs & Coffee Daily
When Jake Perry of Austin, Texas, shared his breakfast with his cats, he probably didn't expect to break world records. But his unconventional approach to feline nutrition resulted in not one, but two of the oldest cats ever documented.
Creme Puff, a mixed tabby, holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest cat ever, living to the remarkable age of 38 years and 3 days before passing in 2005. Her housemate Granpa Rex Allen wasn't far behind, reaching 34 years and 2 months when he died in 1998—making him the sixth-oldest cat on record.
The Breakfast of Champions (Apparently)
Perry's secret? A diet that would make any veterinarian wince. Every morning, his cats enjoyed dry cat food supplemented with bacon, eggs, broccoli, and coffee with cream. And if that wasn't unusual enough, Perry gave them an eyedropper full of red wine every couple of days "to circulate the arteries."
This wasn't just a quirky experiment with two lucky cats. Perry owned dozens of felines over the years, and about one-third of them lived to at least 30 years old—roughly double the typical cat lifespan of 12-18 years. His veterinarian, Dr. Bruce Hardesty, confirmed caring for 40-50 of Perry's cats over 15 years, with at least six reaching age 30.
Don't Try This at Home
Before you start brewing espresso for Mr. Whiskers, veterinary experts are quick to point out that caffeine is toxic to cats. The same goes for alcohol. While Perry's cats thrived on this bizarre regimen, professionals suspect other factors may have been at play:
- Exceptional genetics (both cats may have had naturally robust constitutions)
- Low-stress environment and attentive care
- Regular veterinary checkups despite the unconventional diet
- Possible benefits from specific nutrients in the fresh foods, despite the risky ingredients
Perry also kept his cats active and stimulated. Creme Puff had access to a screened-in porch that Perry converted into a movie theater, where she reportedly enjoyed watching nature documentaries.
A Legacy of Longevity
What makes Perry's success even more remarkable is the sheer improbability. To have the #1 and #6 oldest cats ever recorded under the same roof, eating the same breakfast, defies statistical explanation. Was it the diet? The care? Genetic lottery? Probably a combination of all three—though veterinarians emphasize the "don't feed your cat coffee" part can't be stressed enough.
Today, Creme Puff's record still stands. No cat has lived longer than her 38 years, and Perry's unconventional methods remain a fascinating—if not medically advisable—footnote in the history of extreme feline longevity.