Cats are adorable animals who live their lives to the fullest. But how long do cats live? Have you ever given a thought to this? Many studies were conducted on this aspect so that they could estimate the average lifespan of a cat.
Under this article, I have tried to sum up the entire information about the cat’s lifespan. There are various aspects we need to consider so that our cat lives long some of which are environment, diet, and health.
Here we are going to answers almost all possible queries of pet owners from simple questions like what diet should I give my cat? Too many other complex questions such as what should I do when my cat isn’t keeping well? Or the average life expectancy of a cat? Stay tuned!
Cats are known for their grace, agility, and nine lives. But how long do cats typically live? And does gender play a role in their longevity?
Furthermore, how can you tell a cat’s age, and are there particular breeds that tend to live longer or shorter lifespans? This comprehensive guide aims to answer all your questions about the lifespan of your feline friends.
How Long Do Cats Live
A common thought that flashes a cat owner’s mind is:- what is the average lifespan of my cat? Proper maintenance of environmental conditions, diet, and time to vaccination will help with increasing the lifespan of the cat.
When it comes to female cats sterilization will help, these cats need to be sterilized before their first litter, which begins when they are approximately 6 months old.
Read Also:
This will provide safety against various harmful diseases which intern will lead to a healthy cat lifecycle. Cats can live up to 20 or more years depending on how well they are treated, stated many bloggers and online sites.
They also mentioned that A domesticated cat can live up to 15.1 years. Many other factors are also considered while evaluating the lifespan of a cat. One such factor could be the breed of the cat. Do you own a pure breed cat or a mixed breed?
Studies stated that the average lifespan of a mixed breed cat tends to be longer than that of a pure breed cat, a male cat’s lifespan is shorter than that of a female cat. A cat that hunts and lives in the wild tends to live shorter than a cat that is domesticated.
How Long Do Indoor Cats Live
Brilliant news to all the pet owners out there who love their cats more than themselves, yes! Your pet cat is going to live longer than a wild cat loitering around in your neighborhood and has no one to take care of. This could be due to various reasons. Some of which are:-
- They aren’t going to face any danger from wild animals or become a good meal which is relished by some other animal.
- They are vaccinated from time to time which increases their timespan. They are also taken good care of when They aren’t keeping well.
- They are also sterilized.
- They don’t need to hunt every day, they are fed with a healthy diet.
As a pet owner see that your cat doesn’t overeat and exercises regularly to avoid any complications in their health. Many studies were conducted on this too and it was concluded that the average life expectancy of indoor cats tends to be 16.875 years.
How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live
When it comes to outdoor cats there is no guarantee on how long they shall live in the wild. The meaning of Outdoor depends on where they live. Any cat which is not domesticated can be considered as an outdoor cat.
This depends on where you live. In case you live in an urban locality, then a cat roaming in your neighborhood is also considered to be an outdoor cat. Say you’re a tribal living in the wild a cat you see while crossing the forest is also a wild cat.
Any stray cat or abandoned cat is also considered an outdoor cat. These cats tend to live a difficult life. They are prone to a lot of diseases due to their exposure to environmental conditions. They come across flies ticks and other pests which affect their lifespan.
Another common factor that reduces the life expectancy of these cats are fights. They end up getting killed also in many fights and are also prone to accidents. But with all these drawbacks come certain benefits also of being an outdoor cat.
These cats generally don’t be obese due to the limited food availability and exercise that happens due to hunting. Overall studies concluded that the average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is approximately ten years or so.
What is the Average Lifespan of A Cat?
You might have your own experience with how long your pet cat has lived in the past. Many might say my cat has always been in the wild, it disappears for months and then comes back yet it has lived around 15-16 years.
Yes, this can also happen likely stated before it does depend on their breed and many other factors. There are many world records created by many cats and one such record is in The Guinness Book of World Records which has come across the oldest cat whose age was recorded “a cat who passed away in Austin, Texas, at 38 years and three days old, a truly grand, almost incomprehensible age”.
The average oldest cat could be around 29 years or so stated many researchers and analysts. So how long did your cat live, do let us know?
Do Male or Female Cats Live Longer?
The question of whether male or female cats live longer has intrigued pet owners for years. Studies have shown that, on average, female cats tend to live slightly longer than male cats. While both genders can reach 15 years or more, spayed female cats have been observed to live up to a year or two longer than their male counterparts.
It’s important to note that other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and healthcare also play a significant role in a cat’s longevity.
How to Tell a Cat’s Age
Determining a cat’s age is not as straightforward as it is in humans. However, there are some clues to look out for:
- Teeth: Kittens have baby teeth that are later replaced by adult teeth. A cat with a full set of adult teeth is at least six months old.
- Eye Color: Kittens are born with blue eyes. If the cat’s eyes have changed to another color, it is likely over seven weeks old.
- Behavior: Younger cats are generally more playful and energetic compared to older, more lethargic cats.
- Physical Changes: Older cats may have grey hair, less muscle tone, and may develop cataracts.
Veterinarians can give a more accurate estimation of a cat’s age during a physical examination.
Types of Cat Breeds and Their Lifespans
Different cat breeds have different average lifespans. Here are some examples:
Long-lived Breeds
- Siamese: Up to 20 years
- Maine Coon: 12-15 years
- Sphynx: 13-15 years
Short-lived Breeds
- Scottish Fold: 11-14 years
- Manx: 8-14 years
- Rex: 10-13 years
It’s essential to understand that these are general guidelines and that each cat is unique. Proper care, including regular veterinary check-ups, can make a significant impact on your cat’s lifespan, irrespective of the breed.
Read Also:
Conclusion
Cats are very loving animals whose life expectancy depends on how they were bought up. Whether they were domesticated or they survived the hard way of living in the wild. Were they vaccinated or sterilized? Under this article, we tried to sum up everything that we came across with respect to the life expectancy of a cat.
All the studies conducted by many reputed researchers were also included to help you as a cat owner to understand how long your cat will live and how you as a cat owner can increase their life expectancy.
While female cats generally have a slight edge in terms of longevity, other factors such as breed, healthcare, and lifestyle are also critical. Determining a cat’s age can be tricky but is possible through observations and veterinary assessments.
Finally, some breeds are known for longer lifespans, while others have shorter average lifespans. Whatever the case may be, a loving home and proper care are the best gifts you can give your feline friend for a long, healthy life.
