Scooter The Cat From North Texas Is World's Oldest-Living Feline

MANSFIELD, TX -- Who needs nine lives when you're Scooter, the world's oldest cat living the good life in North Texas.

At 30 years old, the Siamese cat recently was recently verified as the longest-living feline by the Guinness World Records people, according to various media reports, including the NBC affiliate in Dallas.

Scooter celebrated its 30th year on March 26, but was only recently certified as the oldest living cat.

To put the cat's longevity in perspective, Scooter was born during the Reagan administration. Bear in mind, the average domesticated cat has a life expectancy of 12 years -- 15 years tops. That means Scooter has lived twice as long as the average feline.

So what's the cat's secret to a long life? Staying active, owner Gail Floyd told reporters. Being well-traveled also seems to keep the the animal engaged in the world, and Scooter has visited 46 of the 50 states, Floyd noted.

Quality of life activities are also key. Among Scooter's favorite activities are getting its fur (what's left of it anyway) blow-dried after a nice bath and snacking on chicken every other day.

NBC 5 notes, however, that Scooter isn't the oldest living cat of all time -- yet. That honor belongs to another cat that lived to be 38 years old.

That other senior citizen cat was Creme Puff (Aug. 3, 1967-Aug. 6, 2005), who lived with her owner, Jake Perry in Austin, Texas.

What is it about Texas cats? There must be something in the bath water in the Lone Star State.

Read the full story at NBC 5 >>

>>> Photo credit: GAIL FLOYD/GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS/AP