Who Is the Cat With the Longest Whiskers in the World? Facts & Info
By Adam Mann
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
It’s no secret that cats’ whiskers make them look absolutely adorable, and when you see a cat with what seems like unnaturally long whiskers, it leads you to ask just how long they can grow. Not only that but what cat has the longest whiskers in the world?
The answer is Missi, a Maine Coon from Finland, but that’s only part of what you want to know. Which cat breeds have longer whiskers than others, and what are some other surprising records cats hold? We’ve answered all those questions and more for you here!
Who Is the Cat With the Longest Whiskers?
Missi is a Maine Coon cat from Finland, and she’s held the record as the cat with the longest whiskers since 2005. Her longest whiskers are 7.5 inches long, with the average only being two to four inches long These extra-long whiskers don’t really do anything extra for Missi, but they sure do look cute!
Other Records Cats Have Broken
The longest whisker is just one record that a cat holds in the Guinness Book of World Records, but did you know there’s more than that? We’ve highlighted three more records cats currently hold in the Guinness Book of World Records for you here:
The Loudest Cat
Do you think your cat has a loud purr? We promise you they’re nothing like the purr of Merlin and Smokey, two cats that purr at 67.8 decibels, making them louder than normal conversations and about as loud as washing machines and air conditioners!
You don’t need hearing protection with purrs at this level, but you’ll need to speak up if your cat is in the same room and you’re talking to someone else.
The Oldest Cat
You’re lucky if your cat makes it to the 20-year mark, but that was nothing for Crème Puff, a cat from Texas. Crème Puff lived to the ripe old age of 38 years and 3 days, which is close to three times the average lifespan of a housecat.
Keep this in mind when you’re thinking about bringing a new cat into your home, as you could be signing up to take care of them for close to 40 years, although this would be extremely rare. Still, you can usually expect them to live for 12 to 18 years.
The Longest Cat
Some cat breeds are simply longer than others, and the Maine Coon is a pretty sizable breed. But even compared to other Maine Coons, Stewie stands out. He was over 48.5 inches long, putting him over the 4-foot mark!
Cat Breeds With Long Whiskers
Missi is a Maine Coone and has the longest whiskers of any other cat, but if you’re looking for a cat with long whiskers, you’ll need to find a breed that has them. They likely won’t rival Missi’s, but you could still end up with some pretty long whiskers!
1. Maine Coon
Missi holds the record for a cat with the longest whiskers, and she’s a Maine Coon. The largest cat in the world is also a Maine Coon. Because of this, it’s not all that surprising that many Maine Coons have large whiskers, and they’re even more impressive when you consider how large they are compared to their already large size.
2. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat isn’t the largest cat breed in the world, but they have some pretty impressive whiskers. They’re also gorgeous cats with beautiful long coats, and with fearsome-looking manes, they’re pretty impressive to look at too.
3. Persian Cat
Persian cats tend to look grumpy just about all the time, but they’re really some fun-loving cats. They also have some long whiskers, but with so much fur around their face, it isn’t always noticeable immediately, but they’re there!
4. Ragdoll Cat
Known for their gentle and calm demeanor and ability to show tons of affection, the Ragdoll cat is one of the more popular cat breeds out there. They also have distinctive whiskers, and when you look at how long they are, it just makes them even more lovable.
5. Siberian Cat
Another cat with thick coats, the Siberian breed is gorgeous in many ways. They also have very long whiskers, but sometimes, they can blend into the rest of their coat. If you’re considering bringing a Siberian home, they have sweet and well-rounded personalities and fit into just about any home.
Final Thoughts
Some cats have longer whiskers than others, but whether a cat has short or long whiskers, they can make a great pet. Cat whiskers have a critical role in how they discover the world around them, but whether a cat has short or long whiskers really doesn’t matter much, but it sure does make them cute to look at!
Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
