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Meet Fenrir: Michigan pet named tallest living domestic cat

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — At more than a foot-and-a-half tall, a Michigan house cat is the latest member of his distinguished feline family tree to enter the record books.

Fenrir Antares Powers, a 2-year-old Savannah cat, measured 18.83 inches on Jan. 29, 2021, tall enough to make it into the Guinness World Records 2023 edition as the tallest living domestic cat, WDIV-TV reported.

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According to the International Cat Association, Savannah cats are crosses between domestic cats and large-eared wild African cats. They were granted registered breed status by the association in 2001, USA Today reported.

Fenrir was adopted at just 12 weeks by Dr. Will Powers, a Michigan physician and HIV specialist, who allows the “really good boy” and his siblings to meander about his Farmington Hills practice, much to the delight of his patients.

“Having my cats around all day, it doesn’t feel like work,” Powers told WDIV.

According to USA Today, however, some of Fenrir’s appeal could lie in his bloodline because three of Powers’ other cats are also certified record holders, including:

  • Altair Cygnus Powers – The Guinness World Records title holder for the longest tail on a living domestic cat. His tail measures 16.07 inches.
  • Arcturus Aldebaran Powers – The Guinness World Records title holder for the tallest cat ever, and previously held the title for the tallest living domestic cat. He died in a 2017 house fire. “(Fenrir) is his full brother,” Powers said.
  • Cygnus Regulus Powers – A silver Maine Coon who held the record for the longest tail on a living domestic cat. Cygnus also died in the 2017 fire.

“(Fenrir) just grew and grew like Clifford the Big Red Dog,” Powers said in a video about his latest record holder.

Meanwhile, the Fenrir is still growing and some people mistake the kitty for a small panther, puma or ocelot, Powers told Guinness World Records.

“This can actually scare people, and they back away from him in fear, but once I explain that he’s a therapy cat and very friendly, people are thrilled to walk up to him,” he said.