'I could own the oldest cat in the WORLD at 29 - this is the secret to her long life'

A man claims to have the world’s oldest cat aged 29 and puts her long life down to 'lots of treats'. Leslie Greenhough, 69, believes his tortoiseshell moggy, Millie, who was born in 1995, is currently the oldest living feline.

The moggy was first owned by Leslie's late wife, Paula, 55, who first got Millie in 1995 - when the kitten was three months old.

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Leslie and Paula met October 10, 2012, through a dating website, and was first introduced to Millie the cat when she was 16.

Leslie claims Millie has never visited the vet, and eats a mixed diet of chicken and Purina cat food. The widow sadly lost his wife in April 2020, due to Covid, and has become Millie's full-time owner.

Leslie said the cat's long life is down to "lots of treats" including "cuddles on the sofa" and tinned tuna and prawns.

The owner, a former storekeeper now retired, from Stockport, said: "Millie’s a spry little thing, people can’t believe she’s 29.

"She can still jump up on the sides but she's a little slower these days. It's just us two and she isn't bothered by any other cats, so I think it's helped her a live a long and peaceful life.

"She's never gone to the vets since I've owned her or had any real health issues. She’s a little deaf now and loves to sleep on my bed."

Leslie met his wife on plenty on the dating site Plenty Of Fish in 2012, and he was introduced to Millie after he over heard her 'meowing' in the background of the calls.

The couple got engaged in 2013 on Valentine’s Day and married two years later in 2014.

Leslie had owned a cat once before as a child, named Blackie, but hadn’t had a pet in several decades, until meeting Millie.

He said: “Blackie used to follow me everywhere she was born in a paper mill and such a sweet thing. Millie was such a sweet cat when I first met her.

"Over the years Millie was bullied by other cats the her neighbourhood, so she stopped going out and became more of an indoor cat.

"She's developed a cautious attitude - she's very shy. I think that's helped her live longer."

Leslie's wife Paula sadly passed away four years ago, in 2020, after contracting Covid-19. His wife passing also affected Millie, who struggled to eat after losing her owner.

He said: "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."

Leslie is hoping to submit Millie to the Guinness World Records. The title of oldest living cat is currently held by Flossie, born 29 December 1995, and is aged 28.

He said: "I want to move but I’m worried Millie won’t survive the journey. I’m doing this story for my wife in her memory. She loved Millie, and everyone should know what an remarkable cat she is."