World's Tallest Pet Cat Lives In Metro Detroit: Guinness

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — The world's tallest pet cat resides right here in Metro Detroit, according to the 2023 Guinness Book of World Records.

Dr. Will Powers of Farmington Hills, a family physician and HIV specialist, owns Fenrir, an F2 Savannah cat that measured 18.83 inches in January 2021 when Guinness confirmed his height.

An F2 Savannah cat is a crossbreed between a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The cat is recognized by The International Cat Association as a domestic breed.

Although Fenrir can look menacing, considering he stands two inches taller than even average-sized Savannah cats, Powers told Guinness he's a therapy cat and is very friendly.

"He wanders around the office receiving pets from people, snoozing on exam room tables and begging for treats," Powers said.

At just two years and 10 months, Fenrir is on track to surpass the tallest cat ever recorded by Guinness, Arcturus, who was also owned by Powers. Arcturus measured 19 inches in 2016 and still holds the record today. Sadly, Arcturus, who Fenrir's brother, died in a house fire in November 2017.

Powers also owns another record cat, Altair, a Maine coon whose lush tail measures 16 inches. The previous record holder for the longest tail was Cygnus, who was also owned by Powers and died in the house fire with Arcturus, according to Guinness.

Cygnus still holds the record title for the longest tail on a domestic cat ever, with a tail that measured an astonishing 17 inches, according to Guinness.

Powers said he uses Fenrir to help bring awareness to adopting shelter cats. You can see pictures and follow the cats on social media, as they have their own Instagram page.