Stewie was a Maine Coon that held the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s longest domestic cat from August 28, 2010, to February 4, 2013.
According to Stewie’s Facebook page, his full name was Mymains Stewart Gilligan. His owners were Robin Hendrickson and Erik Brandsness of Reno, Nevada.
Hendrickson entered the cat for the Guinness Book of World Records competition after many friends expressed amazement about his size and length.
How long was Stewie?
Stewie went into the record books measuring 48.5 inches (123 centimeters) on August 28, 2010.
But Stewie was not only the world’s longest cat, he also held the title for the world’s longest cat tail.
His tail measured 16.34 inches (41.5 centimeters) on February 13, 2011.
Maine Coons are among the largest cat breeds
Another Maine Coon cat named Leo held the title of the world’s longest domestic cat before Stewie snatched it on August 28, 2010. Leo measured 48 inches (121.92 centimeters).
The current holder of the title is yet another Maine Coon named Barivel from Vigevano, Pavia, Italy. Barivel measured in at 47.24 inches (120 cm) on May 22, 2018.
Main Coons are among the longest and heaviest cats in the world.
Males regularly reach up to 38 inches (96.52 centimeters) in length (from the tip of the nose to the tail) and weigh between 13 to 18 lb (5.9 to 8.2 kg)
They reach their full body proportions between 3-5 years old.
Main Coon lovers often call them “gentle giants” because of their gentle and shy disposition.
Stewie died in 2013
Stewie sadly died on February 4, 2013.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, he was born around 2005. Hendrickson bought him from a breeder in Hermiston, Oregon.
Thus, he was about eight years old when he died at home in Reno, Nevada, after receiving a cancer diagnosis in January 2012.
According to Hendrickson, Stewie fell ill in Christmas 2011 and received treatment for a suspected viral infection. But vets later diagnosed a cancerous growth behind his eyes.
The cancer went into remission after he underwent chemotherapy and radiation. His doctors declared him cancer-free in July 2012, but it returned a few months later.
Stewie was a certified therapy cat
Stewie was a certified therapy animal. He visited senior homes in and around Reno, Nevada.
Stewie’s owner described him as very social. He loved meeting new people and touched the lives of many.
He also worked as a therapy animal at schools and hospitals and participated in Humane Society-organized events.