How Long Do Cats Live
How long do cats live? That’s what this article will help you figure out! Cats can live anywhere from 15 to 20 years, with the average being around 15 years old. One factor affecting how long your cat will live is its breed, especially if they’re purebred. A significant contributing aspect to how long your cat will live relates to how they are cared for daily.
Not all cats will live the same amount of time, but these ten facts can give you an idea of how long you can expect your kitty to be around!
The majority of cats live between 12 and 15 years
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There’s good news for both of you and your furry friend. According to a 2015 study published in The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, most cats live between 12 and 15 years, with some living up to 20 years. In general, smaller breeds live longer than larger ones—for example, an average lifespan for a cat weighing 9 pounds is about 13 years. This could be because smaller dogs get injured more quickly, so their lifespans are shorter; for cats, it might just be because smaller animals have less mass and lower energy requirements to maintain their bodies.
Smaller cats tend to live longer than larger ones
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One of those facts is that smaller cats tend to live longer than larger ones. The oldest cat ever recorded was a cat named Creme Puff, and she lived to be 38 years old! That is about 100 in human years! She was a Maine coon, which typically grew around 8-15 pounds and 3-5 feet long. On average, large cats like lions live 10-13 years, while domestic cats (the same species as big cats) can reach 20+ years old or even more if they have proper care and nutrition. Smaller domestic cats have been known to live up to 34 years with reasonable care and medical attention.
Black cats are statistically likely to live longer than other colored cats
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The jury is still out, but researchers have found that black cats live longer than other colored cats. And it could be because black cats get adopted less than other colored felines; these kitties already have a stigma when it comes to superstition, so they may be adopted later in life, leading them to get more of the food and attention they need to reach old age. Of course, some believe there’s no scientific proof behind these findings, especially since there isn’t much research conducted into pet longevity specifically. It’s hard enough to study animal behavior and health in general—so don’t count your cat out of living a long life just yet!
The number of times a cat is rehomed does not affect its life expectancy.
Rehoming doesn’t influence how long a cat will live. Although cats can live to be 17 years old, they are considered seniors around age 10. The average lifespan of a cat is 14 years. There are many reasons why people decide to rehome their pets. Rehoming may seem scary, but it helps cats in many ways since about 75% of animals surrendered at shelters never find a permanent home. 35% of them are euthanized—most often because there aren’t enough homes for all these animals or because they have serious health problems that make them unadoptable. Pets enjoy leading better lives once they get adopted by families who care for them properly and love them as much as possible!
Indoor cats only are less likely to die young than outdoor cats
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Studies show that indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. This is because outdoor cats are more likely to be exposed to dangerous viruses, like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), that they can contract from infected wildlife. Indoor cats also avoid catfights, a leading cause of injury and death among felines. It’s easy to feed an indoor cat, but it can get expensive: Many cat owners make homemade food for their kitties instead of buying dry food at the pet store. It’s cheaper, but it’s still a high cost—upwards of $500 per year.
Female cats live longer than male cats
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The average life expectancy of a male cat is 10 years. Females can live up to 15 years, according to Animal Planet. That may seem like a big difference, but if you consider that female cats go into heat, every six months and males can father hundreds of kittens over their lifetime, then living longer probably makes sense. In many ways, having more children takes its toll on male cats. That’s why you’ll notice that more elderly cats are male than female. An aging neutered male could quickly end up being your cat’s primary caretaker for several months or even years; he might help her with grooming, feedings, and trips outside to use the bathroom before she can get around well enough to do it herself.
Free feeding can affect your cat’s lifespan.
If you’re leaving food out at all times for your cat, they could be overeating. Because cats are predators, they instinctively eat as much as possible and store any excess calories in their body fat reserves. The downside of that is obesity, which increases your cat’s risk of cancer and other diseases and shortens its lifespan. Instead of leaving food out around the clock, consider using an automatic feeder or timed feeder that allows you to regulate how much food your cat gets each day. That will help them stay trim while enabling them to get all the nutrients they need.
Ideal weight can help your cat live longer
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If your cat is a little heavy, you can help them lose weight. An ideal weight not only helps ensure your kitty doesn’t develop diabetes, but they also live longer. A recent study found that overweight cats lived nearly four years less than their slimmer companions. If you have a cat that needs to lose weight, consult with your vet for safe ways to do so.
Cleanliness might improve your cat’s health, but it won’t necessarily extend its life.
Many of us are guilty of believing that keeping our homes sparkling clean can help prevent disease and illness in our pets. A 2007 study by Ohio State University showed that housecats who live in homes with lots of dust or dirt were more likely to develop asthma or allergies than cats who lived in cleaner homes. But keep in mind that hygiene doesn’t necessarily equate to health—in fact, some experts now think it might make pets sicker by encouraging them to lick their fur after rolling around outside. This puts them at higher risk for heartworm and other infections spread through animal bites.
What factors affect a cat’s life expectancy?
The most significant factor affecting a cat’s life expectancy is whether it’s a neutered male or spayed female. Neutered cats tend to live longer than unneutered ones, and spayed females live longer than non-spayed females. Male cats are typically neutered at an early age (by 5 months), while females usually aren’t spayed until their several years old (1–2). In addition, no studies have found a link between how much cats are fed and their life expectancy, and there is no scientific data on whether indoor or outdoor lifestyles affect feline lifespans.
What kind of cat lives the longest?
The average lifespan of a domestic cat is between 12 and 15 years, although many cats live well into their 20s. The oldest living cat ever recorded was Creme Puff, who died in Austin, Texas, at age 38. Though it’s commonly believed that Siamese cats have shorter lifespans than other breeds, with an average life expectancy of 15 to 18 years instead of other breeds’ 17 to 21-year average, there is no objective evidence for that belief. The truth about how long a cat lives depends on several factors: whether it’s a male or female (females tend to live longer), what kind of care it receives from its owner, and how quickly it reaches maturity.
How to extend your cat’s life
In general, veterinarians say that there’s no way to extend a cat’s life. That said, you can improve your cat’s health and overall longevity by following these tips: Keep your cat active. Like humans, cats need exercise to stay healthy. If you’re away from home for long periods during workdays or on business trips, consider hiring a pet sitter so your kitty can get out and about during that time. That will prevent him from becoming overweight (obesity is one of many leading causes of death in cats). Plus, it will provide socialization opportunities. Play with them!
Cat health hacks
An adult cat’s life expectancy can vary greatly from breed to breed. More giant cats tend to live longer than smaller ones, and males tend to outlive females. Lifespan will also depend on other factors such as diet, exercise, and whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor kitty. Even so, in most cases, you can expect your cat to live between 10 and 15 years. Here are some facts about feline longevity