What is the Average Lifespan of a Cat

Are you thinking of getting a cat? Or perhaps you already own one and are wondering how long you can expect it to live. The good news is that a domestic cat that is well taken care of can enjoy a fairly long life, and can expect to live much longer than other pets such as dogs.The average lifespan of a cat out in the wild is four to five years. Outdoor cats that spend most of their time outside also tend not to live beyond the age of five. Domestic cats who live indoors, on the other hand, enjoy a considerable boost to their lifespan, clocking in at thirteen to seventeen years on average. Some indoor cats can even live up to twenty years or longer. Dogs, on the other hand, usually live only ten to thirteen years depending on their size and breed.

How Breed Affects The Average Lifespan of a Cat

How long a domestic, indoor cat is likely to live depends partly on its breed. The following cat breeds are among the longest-lived, enjoying an average lifespan of fifteen to twenty years: American Short Hair, Australian Mist, Balinese, Bombay, Burmese, European Short Hair, Himalayan, Japanese Bobtail, Korat, Nebelung, Persian, Russian Blue, Siamese, Turkish Angora, and Turkish Van. Mixed breeds tend to live longer than purebred cats.

Other cat breeds have lifespans that range from approximately ten to fifteen years. These include the Abyssinian, American Bobtail, Bengal, Birman, Blue Chartreux, British Short Hair, Burmilla, California Spangled, Ceylon, Chantilly-Tiffany, Colorpoint Short Hair, Devon Rex, Egyptian Mau, Exotic Short Hair, German Rex, Havana Brown, Javanese, La Perm, Main Coon, Munchkin, Norwegian Forest, Ocicat, Oriental, Selkirk Rex, Siberian, Singapura, Somali, Sphynx, and Tonkinese. The American Wire Hair, Cymric, and Manx are among the shortest-lived breeds, with average lifespans in the seven-to-twelve-year range.

A Few Steps You Can Take To Increase Your Cat’s Life Expectancy

Although cats are unlikely to live longer than eighteen or twenty years, there are a few things you can do to make sure your cat doesn’t die prematurely:

1. Make sure your cat feels safe and happy.

Stress and anxiety can contribute to premature death in our pets. You should provide your feline companion with a comfortable bed and safe space. You should also aim to interact with your cat regularly, provide him or her with cat toys for entertainment, and if at all possible, get a second cat so they can keep each other company. Even though indoor living is associated with a longer lifespan, some domestic cats truly enjoy going outdoors so you may want to consider letting your pet roam in your yard (under your supervision) every once in a while.

2. Monitor your cat’s health and take him to regular checkups at the vet.

Regular visits to the veterinarian will make sure your cat has access to preventative health care such as vaccines and tick preventatives. It will also ensure that you catch any diseases early, making it more likely that your cat will survive the illness. Even paying close attention to your cat can be helpful, as you’ll be able to tell if your cat is acting strangely and should visit the vet for a checkup.

3. Feed your cat a healthy and nutritious diet.

Make sure you follow your veterinarian’s feeding guidelines and buy the best quality food you can afford. Good nutrition can go a long way in ensuring that your cat lives a long and healthy life. Fresh foods free of harmful chemicals are better than overly processed meals made up of animal byproducts and preservatives. Just as it is in humans, being overweight can lead to health problems and early death in cats. Lower body weights are associated with longer lifespans, so make sure your cat doesn’t get too heavy!

What is the Absolute Longest My Cat Can Live?

Sadly, even if your cat is a long-lived breed and you take all the steps above, your cat won’t live forever. A female cat named Creme Puff from Austin, Texas is the longest-living cat ever recorded. She was born on August 3, 1967, and died on August 6, 1995, living a record-breaking thirty-eight years and three days. Creme Puff made the 2010 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. Creme Puff aside, twenty years is likely the upper limit of most cats’ lifespans. Make sure you make the best of them with your companion!