Video: Is Snowy at 27 the world’s oldest cat?

Snowy’s owners reckon he easily beats previous title owner Poppy who died this week aged 24, just days after being officially recognised.

Claire Wills and husband Chris say they are amazed their pet had survived his incident-packed life - which includes escaping a house fire.

Claire, 33, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, said: “We’ve had him about 13 years now - and he just keeps going.

“Before that my sister had him. He was seven at the time, and she was 17 and he’s 36 now, so that would make Snowy nearly 27 years old.

“He’s definitely getting on now. He’s very sleepy and still enjoys his food.

“But we’ve never fed him anything ordinary cats aren’t fed. Just a tin of Whiskas every day and the occasional biscuit.

“He’s very sociable - he just loves being in the company of other people.”

The age of 27 is equivalent to nearly 156 in cat years and Snowy is feeling his age as he is deaf and has kidney failure and arthritis.

Claire, an appliance technician, said he was ‘great with kids’ which is ideal as the couple are part-time foster parents.

She added: “He can’t have many of his nine lives left now - about four and a half years ago we had a house fire and he got trapped inside.

“The fire men had to rescue him from the building.

“His lungs were full of smoke and he was pitch black when he came out - we had to call him Sooty rather than Snowy!

“He also got into a fight with another cat once and it must have bitten part of his ear off because it’s all bent and funny now.

“He also has kidney failure, he’s deaf and arthritic too - it’s a miracle he’s lived so long”.

Despite his age Claire says Snowy is reasonably active and happy.

She said: “He loves his cuddles, although you do end up with quite a lot of fur all over you.

“He did used to be very active, although now he just manages the odd stretch in the garden”.

Claire and Chris, 55, who also own Jack Russells Rosie and Otis, are taking Snowy to the vets today (thurs) in the hope of certifying his real age by inspecting his teeth.

She said: “They can tell roughly how old he is by looking at his teeth, then they can sign a certificate to help him get into the record books.

“I’d also love to know what breed he is, at the moment I’d just describe him as a big white cat.

“He’s had a long and happy life and I’d love for Snowy to get a little bit of fame while he’s still alive.”

• Picture and video: Ross Parry Agency