The internet has fallen in love with a 21-year-old cat named Maddie who has grown up with her owner.
A video posted on TikTok by @etlots, has amassed an impressive 1.5 million views, capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide.
The video features clips of Maddie relaxing at home, hanging out with the family dog and sleeping soundly. The text overlay reads: “POV: You’ve had the same girl cat since you were 9. (& you’re 30 now).”
In the caption, her owner reveals that Maddie’s favorite things are chicken, vocalizing her opinions, sun-bathing, finding warmth on heating pads, and playfully asserting dominance over the family’s 4-year-old dog.
Maddie’s longevity is remarkable, considering the average life expectancy of cats. According to experts, a well-cared-for pet cat can expect to live to be around 13 to 14 years old.
Factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, preventative care, breed and genetics all play a role in determining a cat’s lifespan.
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According to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat ever recorded was a 38-year-old named Creme Puff. The current record-holder for the oldest living feline is a British cat named Flossie, who was born on 29 December 1995 and is now 28 years old.
The video of Maddie sparked a flood of messages and emotional comments from animal lovers on TikTok who shared their own stories of feline companions.
“You were girls together,” said Chapstick247, while a different commenter said: “She watched you grow up.”
“I’m not crying, I swear,” added the poster.
Another commenter told the story of their beloved cat: “I had mine since i was born.. he got [to] 18. He was there when i was in kindergarten, in elementary school.. in every stage of my life.”
TikTok user Jay said that they hoped they would be as lucky with their cats: “I’m hoping I get 20 years out of my babies. One is 10, the other is 8.”
“No way that is so beautiful,” said another delighted viewer.
This isn’t the only time a senior cat has captured attention online. Newsweek has reported on how one woman’s plan to adopt a shelter’s oldest cat so it could “die peacefully” backfired and on how another senior cat’s unusual daily habit left people speechless earlier this month.
Newsweek reached out to @etlots via TikTok for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
