Leslie Greenhough, 71, from Stockport, believes his tortoiseshell cat Millie is the oldest living feline at 31 years old. Born in 1995, Millie is the equivalent of 146 human years.
Millie was originally owned by Leslie's late wife, Paula, who adopted her as a three-month-old kitten in 1995. Paula died aged 55 in 2020.
Secret to longevity
Leslie attributes Millie's remarkable lifespan to feeding her only Buxton natural mineral water for the past decade, alongside "lots of treats" and "cuddles on the sofa". During hot weather, he keeps two fans on her to keep her cool.
He said: "I am very proud she has made it to 31, she is a real trooper. I have been feeding her mineral water for the past 10 years now. Nearby to our house work was being done to the water pipes, and because I am old I was classed as a vulnerable person. So they began dropping off Buxton water at my doorstep which I drank and also gave to Millie. When I turned my taps back on afterwards, dirty water came out, so I chose to stick with the Buxton which I have stuck with ever since."
Millie's history and personality
Leslie met his wife on the dating site Plenty Of Fish in 2012, and was introduced to Millie after hearing her meowing in the background of calls. They became engaged on Valentine's Day 2013 and married in 2014. Leslie had owned a cat as a child named Blackie, but had not had a pet for decades until Millie.
Millie stopped going outdoors after being bullied by other cats in the neighbourhood, becoming an indoor cat. Leslie said: "She's developed a cautious attitude - she's very shy. I think that's helped her live longer."
Impact of Paula's death
Paula died in 2020 from Covid-19. Millie struggled to eat after losing her owner. Leslie recalled: "It was incredibly difficult on both of us. Millie and I had bonded before she died, she would sit on my lap and my wife said she could see how much the cat loved me. I think Millie knew my wife wasn't well. Millie wouldn't eat anything at first, I used to give her prawns and chicken, but over time she's back to eating cat food."
Guinness World Record ambition
Leslie wishes to get Millie into the Guinness Book of Records but cannot prove her age. "Unfortunately, the only person who can do that is my late wife," he said. The only proof is a photo from 1995 of Millie eating from a bowl.
Millie now has a relaxed personality. She wakes around midday, plays with Leslie for 30 minutes, and enjoys a diet of salmon, prawns, chicken, and tuna, drinking only Buxton water. Leslie said: "She keeps herself to herself... a cat is a cat really."
