Scooter, World's Oldest Cat Dies at 30 After Breaking Record

Scooter, who caught the world's attention after having lived the equivalent of about 136 human years, has died.

The adorable senior cat did not live long enough to enjoy the title of being the world's longest living feline.

According to Mansfield News-Mirror, his owner Gail Floyd of Mansfield confirmed that the Siamese cat who celebrated his birthday last March 26, has already passed away by the time Guinness confirmed its title April 8. However, she declined to talk about the details of Scooter's death.

A Guinness title, before being formally given to a holder needs approval from the office first. Sofia Rocher, who works in the Guinness press office, said it usually takes 12 weeks to confirm evidence, which normally requires a letter from a veterinarian.

Dr. Tricia Latimer, a Mansfield veterinarian, says the normal life expectancy for cats is 12 to 16 years, making Scooter's record impressive.

Scooter loves to travel. In fact, he had been to 45 of the 50 states before passing away.

BBC mentioned in an article that Scooter had always been active and had always loved playing with Floyd. He even created a habit of waking her up at 6:00 a.m., every morning and waiting at the doorstep for her to arrive from work.

Owning any pet is good for one's health. Researchers from University of Minnesota's Stroke Institute in Minneapolis found out through a 10-year-study that cat owners have lower heart attack risk than non-cat owners. The study was presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans in 2008. 

The oldest living cat title now returns to Corduroy, a Maine Coon who will turn 27 on August 1. Meanwhile, a cat named Creme Puff who lived to be 38 before dying in 2005 holds the record for oldest cat of all time.