Out of all the hundreds of millions of cats and dogs alive on the earth, only a rare few live well beyond what’s considered their species’ average lifespans.
For cats, that’s generally considered to be 12 to 15 years, with a fair number of felines making it to between 17 and 20. For dogs, it’s usually 10 to 13 years, with great variability given a dog’s breed and particular circumstances.
But whether it’s a quirk of genetics, a perfect blend of diet and exercise, or the undying love of an owner, some of these furry friends have nearly doubled those numbers.
Here are some of the world’s oldest cats and dogs: