Cats have lived close to humans for thousands of years. They are our faithful companions and companions who brighten up loneliness and give us joy. Unfortunately, cats cannot live as long as humans do. But we want this union to last as long as possible.
How long do domestic cats live? What affects the cat’s lifespan? What breeds of cats live longer than others? How to prolong the life of a cat? What will help to survive the death of a cat? We have prepared answers to all these questions in this article.
Average cat’s life expectancy
The average lifespan of a domestic cat is 9-17 years.
But there are cats that significantly surpass this milestone.
What does the cat’s lifespan depend on
- Way of life (indoor, outdoor).
- Health status (genetic abnormalities, timely/untimely detection and treatment of diseases).
- Diet (quality of feed, regularity),
- Breed. There are long-lived breeds.
- Gender. Females live longer than males.
- Controlled/uncontrolled pregnancy (scheduled mating, castration, spaying).
- Weight (obesity, emaciation).
- Level of physical activity.
The longest living cat
Currently, the registered record-holder in longevity is a cat named Creme Puff. This cat from the U.S. lived 38 years and 3 days.
According to unofficial data, the oldest cat in the world named Lucy lived in Britain. At the time of her death, she was 43 years old. But this record was not registered in the Guinness Book of Records.
How long can indoor cats live?
The average lifespan of a domestic cat is from 12 to 15 years.
Depending on the breed and the health of the cat, domestic cats can live from 8 to 20 years. Among cats that have lived all their lives at home, there are long-livers who have lived from 25 to 35 years.
How long do outdoor cats live?
Street cats, unlike domestic cats, live much shorter lives. The average life expectancy of street cats is no more than 5-7 years, and those who got into the street from pets live no more than 4 years).
Why do domestic cats live longer than outdoor cats?
Life indoors is safer and more comfortable. The longest life expectancy is for animals whose owners do not practice walking.
Pets that are kept indoors are protected from many dangers. This prolongs their years of life.
Cons of street life:
- risk of traffic accidents, injuries;
- encounters with aggressive and larger animals;
- poor food and water, malnutrition, hunger;
- the competitive struggle for existence; constant stress;
- encounters with inadequate people;
- weather discomfort (cold, heat, damp);
- uncontrolled pregnancies, complications during childbirth;
- the danger of contracting viral and bacterial infections, parasitic diseases;
- weakened immunity;
- exposure to toxic substances;
- lack of health supervision and veterinary care.
Pros of home living:
- comfortable living conditions (warm, dry);
- constant access to clean water;
- quality regular meals;
- regular veterinary care;
- no struggle for survival;
- control of pregnancy.
The longevity of domestic cats depends on:
- the presence/absence of genetic abnormalities;
- the breed of the cat; the type of diet and the quality of food;
- a type of diet and quality of food;
- level of physical activity;
- gender;
- protection against dangers;
- regulation of sexual libido and control of pregnancy.
The average life expectancy of female cats is higher than of male cats.
How long do neutered cats live?
Castrated cats in the home live longer than their non-castrated relatives. This is an important argument that should change the minds of the opponents of this procedure. Life expectancy after neutering increases by 1.5-3 years.
The average lifespan of a neutered domestic cat is 16-18 years.
Why neutered cats live longer:
- They are much calmer.
- Don’t run away from home.
- There is no risk of injury in fights over females.
- No risk of infection through sexual contact.
- Reduced risk of cancer.
How long do spayed cats live?
The average life expectancy of spayed cats is 15 to 17 years.
Spaying surgery extends a cat’s life years. Unsterilized street animals rarely live to age 5. Their health and longevity are negatively affected by uncontrolled mating and constant pregnancies.
The lives of domestic cats also depend on spaying. Neutered cats are much calmer and less likely to be stressed. Their bodies are not worn out by carrying and feeding their offspring. After sterilization surgery, the probability of cancer decreases, and the risk of contracting diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse disappears.
A quality balanced diet, adequate exercise, and regular checkups increase a cat’s lifespan.
Average life expectancy depending on breed
Some cats leave their owners at the age of 8 years, others can enjoy their presence for over 20 years.
With good care and the absence of congenital abnormalities, cats of certain breeds can live that long:
| Abyssinian Cat | 10-15 years |
| American Bobtail | 11-15 years |
| American Curl | 12-16 years |
| American Shorthair | 15-20 years |
| American Wirehair | 7-12 years |
| Australian Mint | 14-19 years |
| Balinese | 9-15 years |
| Birman | 12-16 years |
| Bengal Cat | 10-16 years |
| Bombay Cat | 12-16 years |
| British Shorthair | 12-17 years |
| Burmilla | 10-15 years |
| Havana Brown | 10-15 years |
| Himalayan Cat | 15-17 years |
| Devon Rex | 9-15 years |
| European Shorthair | 15-22 years |
| Egyptian Mau | 12-15 years |
| California Spangled | 9-16 years |
| Cymric | 8-14 years |
| Korat | 10-15 years |
| Cornish Rex | 11-15 years |
| LaPerm | 10-15 years |
| Munchkin | 12-14 years |
| Maine Coon | 9-15 years |
| Manx | 8-14 years |
| Norwegian Forest | 12-18 years |
| Oriental | 10-15 years |
| Ocicat | 10-15 years |
| Persian Cat | 10-15 years |
| Pixie-bob | 12-14 years |
| Ragamuffin | 12-16 years |
| Russian Blue | 10-15 years |
| Ragdoll | 12-17 years |
| Savannah | 17-20 years |
| Selkirk Rex | 10-15 years |
| Siamese Cat | 11-15 years |
| Siberian Cat | 11-15 years |
| Singapura | 11-15 years |
| Snowshoe | 12-15 years |
| Sokoke | 9-15 years |
| Somali | 11-16 years |
| Sphynx | 8-14 years |
| Thai Cat | 11-15 years |
| Tonkinese | 10-16 years |
| Turkish Angora | 12-18 years |
| Turkish Van | 12-17 years |
| Chartreux | 11-15 years |
| Scottish Fold | 11-14 years |
| Exot | 8-15 years |
| Japanese Bobtail | 9-15 years |
Cat breeds with longevity
To make your cat enjoy your presence as long as possible, choose a cat that belongs to one of the long-living breeds.
Top 10 longevity cat breeds:
- European Shorthair – 15-22.
- American Shorthair – 15-20.
- Australian Mint – 14-19.
- Norwegian Forest Cat – 12-18.
- Turkish Angora – 12-18.
- Himalayan Cat – 15-17.
- British Shorthair – 12-17.
- Ragdoll – 12-17.
- Turkish Van – 12-17.
- Savannah – 12-17.
How to prolong your cat’s life?
To give your cat a long and happy life by your side, follow these simple rules.
Well-balanced diet
- Choose at least a premium cat food with high protein content.
- Cats are carnivores. They need meat.
- Limit carbohydrates and lactose in cats’ diets since older animals don’t digest them well.
- Make sure that the cat’s diet contains all essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Eliminate foods that should not be given to cats.
- Do stick to a special therapeutic and prophylactic diet if the veterinarian has prescribed it for your cat.
- Pay attention not only to the quality of food but also to portion sizes. Do not allow hunger or overfeeding.
- Provide access to clean water around the clock.
Restricted Food:
- fatty meat (pork), smoked meats, canned foods;
- milk – due to lactose intolerance;
- tubular bones – can injure the stomach and intestines;
- boiled potatoes – no starch can be digested;
- legumes (beans, peas) – cause flatulence;
- fish from the river – causes avitaminosis and increases the risk of IBC;
- dog food – deficiency of vitamins and trace elements;
- liver – disorders of intestinal peristalsis.
The health of your pet
- Do not miss routine preventive examinations at the veterinarian.
- Adhere to vaccination schedules.
- Follow all vet prescriptions.
- Routinely perform antiparasitic treatments for internal and external parasites.
- Be attentive to your pets, and consult your veterinarian for any changes in the cat’s behavior and condition.
Enough exercise
- Play with your cat on a regular basis.
- Make sure the cat has toys and play sets.
- Walk on a leash or harness.
Hygiene rules and regulations
- Take regular care of the cat’s teeth, ears, and claws.
- Comb your pet’s hair and bathe him or her as needed.
- Keep the cat’s bowls, litter tray, cot, and habitat clean.
Regulation of sexual libido and pregnancy
- Avoid accidental mating.
- Spay/neuter your pet if you don’t plan to breed.
Comfortable living conditions
- Provide a comfortable cat bed.
- Avoid drafts in areas where your pet lives.
- Control the temperature regime. Avoid damp, cold, and excessive heat in areas where the cat lives.
Safety
- Do not allow the cat to walk on its own.
- Keep toxic substances, household chemicals, poisons, and chemicals out of the pet’s reach.
- Keep the litter box closed so the cat can’t get into it.
- Keep windows and bal
- Make sure the pet does not fall from heights.
- Keep windows and balcony doors closed. Install anti-trap bars.
- Give up poisonous houseplants.
Your love, attention, and care are the best means of prolonging a cat’s life.
How to get over the death of your cat?
Losing a pet at any age is a hard loss. But sooner or later it happens to all animals. When the time comes to say goodbye to your cat, life can suddenly be very empty.
Don’t blame yourself, but don’t hold back your feelings if you want to be sad and cry. This is a normal psychological reaction to the loss of a full-fledged family member, friend, or companion.
Put away all the belongings of the deceased pet, leftover food, and litter box filler, and better take them to the shelter. Take a closer look at the shelter’s residents. Perhaps you can give your love to another animal.
If your heart is not ready to open up to another cat, donate what you can to a charity or shelter for homeless animals.
