Meet Mr. Pugsley Addams, the purr-fect cat with the longest tail measuring over 1.5 feet

Mr. Pugsley Addams, a sweet grey domestic Maine Coon cat from Mound, Minnesota (USA), has a tail that’s always getting in the way. 

Whether he’s hopping up on to his cat tree, playing with his feline sisters Winnie and Duchess or brother Gomez, or lounging around the house, Pugsley was aware of his unique tail (and all of the attention it causes). But now, he finally has the recognition for it – after being measured by his vets, they determined his tail was a whopping 18.5 in (46.99 cm), making him the proud owner of the longest tail on a domestic cat (living).

Two year-old Pugsley – named after the iconic Addams Family character – lives with the Cameron family and their three other Maine Coon cats. And although he isn’t even fully-grown yet, his owner Amanda says he’s always been known for his remarkable tail.

“The first time I took him to the vet, he walked in and said, ‘That is a REALLY long tail.’ And I looked at it, really looked at it, and I thought…‘Yeah…it kind of is, isn’t it?’” she said. 

But after his tail was still the topic of conversation at the next visit six months later, Amanda couldn’t shake the idea that her cat was special.

“So I told my kids, and of course their first reaction was to see if there was a current Guinness World Records title for that. And what do you know – there was, and to our shock, Pugsley beat it!”

Pugsley comes from a long line of fluffy-tailed felines – Maine Coon cats are the largest domestic cat breed, and are well-equipped to handle the snowy Minnesota winters. It usually takes four to five years for them to reach their full size, when they grow into big strong cats with thick fur coats. They’re known to use their giant fluffy tails as a seat or to keep warm, and they even have large paws with pores that function like natural snowshoes!

Amanda says Pugsley is still in his terrible twos, and although he does know some commands like ‘sit’, she describes him as a “mischievous” cat who has a very simple daily routine: “Eat. Beg. Eat. Sleep. Beg. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Beg. Play fetch. Eat. Sleep.”

He does have a heart of gold though, and isn’t skittish like other cats – perhaps because he knows he has that long tail protecting him!

“Everybody always wants to meet him, and falls in love with his calm demeanor. He is pretty level-headed, even in new situations that might be scary for some cats,” she said. “He is super soft, and is always purring. He's just a great little guy to be around. 

“When we go out and about, they call him a ‘local celebrity!’”

Pugsley shares his spooky surname with his older brother Gomez Addams, a black Maine Coon cat – and Amanda says both kitties share traits to their iconic silver-screened counterparts:

“Gomez is violently affectionate and romantic, he wants nothing more than to cuddle in the nook of your arm and stare deep into your eyes while he drags his claws down your cheek,” she said, just like the classic Addams family patriarch. But Pugsley, on the other hand (or paw, that is) definitely takes after Wednesday's little brother.

“Little Pugsley is incredibly curious, adventurous and smart. He is definitely the biggest troublemaker of the house and VERY creative when it comes to new ways he can be mischievous,” she said. “And yet, he is kind and caring and loves his momma.”

The two brothers often play-fight with their sister Duchess, under the watchful eye of Winnie, the “mother-hen” of the family.

Only, Pugsley has to be very conscious of his long tail – it’s an easy target!

“I definitely think he is aware of his long tail. It does get in the way, especially when he is excited, and it is standing straight up when I’m trying to feed him and so it's in my face,” said Amanda. 

“When we are cooking, you will always find him laying down on the tile floor, dead centre in the kitchen. With four cats, you learn to have some awareness of where their tail ‘should’ be, so you don’t step on it, but in situations like that… Those don’t apply to Pugsley, because his tail is another foot or so longer than where you think it would be!”

And who knows – since Pugsley is only two years old, it’s possible his body could grow even longer! The Cameron family says they’ve had a fun experience as a family celebrating their kitty, and can’t wait to see what other records he might break. 

But until then, they’ll just reward him with his favourite treat (beef jerky) and some well-deserved kisses and shoulder-rubs – but just don’t touch his tail!