Norwich owners mourns 'world's oldest cat' after Rosie dies aged 33

Flossie in Orpington is now the oldest cat unofficially, having already claimed the Guinness World Record title (Cats Protection/Guinness World Records)
Flossie in Orpington is now the oldest cat unofficially, having already claimed the Guinness World Record title (Cats Protection/Guinness World Records)

A cat hailed by her Norwich owner as the oldest in the world has died at the age of 33, or 152 in feline years.

Rosie, the tortoise shell-coloured pet, was born in 1991, according to her owner Lila Brissett, and was found to have passed away this week.

Ms Brissett, who adopted Rosie when she was a kitten, told the Mirror that her pet loved nothing more than sitting by a window.

"I miss her so much,” she said, adding that Rosie’s previous owner had given her away when they realised the cat was triggering an allergy.

“She wasn't very well and one day she just walked into the hallway of the house, laid down and passed away. There were lots of good memories though, and I'm happy we had our time together."

Flossie, in Orpington, Kent, has been waiting for her day as undisputed oldest cat (Cats Protection/Guinness World Records)
Flossie, in Orpington, Kent, has been waiting for her day as undisputed oldest cat (Cats Protection/Guinness World Records)

It means the title has now been handed down to 28-year-old moggie Flossie, who lives in Kent.

There is, however, no official title and there is no way of knowing if a cat somewhere in the world is even older.

Ms Brissett had been interviewed previously about Rosie’s long life - which could be put down to her preferred Purina One food.

"She's quite a character,” she said.

“Rosie sleeps by the window all day and, like clockwork, she will have some food and use the litter tray. There's no need for an alarm clock. All she does is eat, sleep, use the litter tray and repeat.”

The Guinness Book of World Records has only acknowledged Flossie and not Rosie as the oldest cat, with Ms Brissett not taking her cat to be verified.

Even so, Rosie’s demise means that the record of the oldest ever cat still belongs to Creme Puff of Austin, Texas, who died in 2005 aged 38.