The owner of Effie, a 23-year-old cat, revealed what she feeds her feline to keep her healthy in a viral TikTok video that has charmed viewers.
In the video, shared by user @kateisaac25, Effie enjoys a heart-shaped dried meat treat. Text on the clip reads, “People always ask what we feed our 23-year-old cat to keep her alive so long, but the truth is at this age she gets to eat whatever she wants. Today she felt like purr pops and rotisserie chicken.”
The owner added in the caption that after trying many food brands over the years, her main focus now is keeping Effie’s weight stable.
Reaching 23 years old is impressive for a domestic cat, whose average lifespan is usually between 12 and 18 years, according to Bondi Vets.
Determining a cat’s age can be tricky, especially for rescues. According to Catster, examining teeth and gums is a common method. As cats age, their teeth lose their whiteness and sharpness, showing yellowing, tartar buildup, and sometimes tooth loss or gum disease. However, dental health can vary depending on care.
Fur texture also changes with age. Older cats develop coarser, denser fur with white or gray patches. They may lose muscle tone, appear more floppy, and their eyes can become hazy or cloudy, sometimes affecting vision.
Cats are considered kittens until six months, juniors until two years, adults until six years, mature from seven to ten, seniors up to 14, and super seniors at 15 and older.
The video quickly went viral, gaining over 1.1 million views and 258,000 likes. Comments praised the owner’s approach to caring for an elderly pet. One user said, “I’m a nurse and it’s the same with old people. Young nurses say ‘no salt,’ but she’s 93—she gets what she wants.” Another added, “Old pets deserve the world.” A third user wrote, “The goal isn’t to make them live forever. You’re supposed to love them every year, especially the last.”
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