Saturday, April 27, 2024

How Long Do Cats Live? Lifespan and Life Expectancy Revealed

house cat life expectancy

Aside from keeping your cat vaccinated and indoors, there are several things you can do to help support a long and healthy life for your cat. As a cat owner, you undoubtedly want to aim for 18 wonderful years with your cat by your side. The average cat lifespan has increased steadily over the decades thanks to advances in healthcare. With diligent preventative care and early treatment when issues emerge, more cats than ever are living into their late teens and even early 20s. At the lower end of the spectrum, free-roaming outdoor and feral cats have much shorter average lifespans of just 2-5 years. While cats are known for being generally healthy pets, some breeds tend to have more health-related issues.

How long do tabby cats live?

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They should have a happy and comfortable routine in your home. Other common health concerns are skin complaints such as allergies, gastrointestinal issues such as intestinal foreign bodies and food intolerances. Preventative treatment against viruses and parasites is necessary for adults too.

The Myth and Reality of Cat Lifespans

This means the average eight-pound cat needs to consume at least 20 grams of protein each day and often much more. This can make it a little confusing to attempt to calculate your cat’s age in human years. This human years to cat years calculator will help you get an idea of how your cat’s age compares to that of a human’s.

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You can only notice changes like these if your cat is indoors where you can see his behavior and monitor his litter box usage. This is one of several reasons that inside cats live the longest. The cat who has lived the longest life on record so far was a cat named Creme Puff who landed herself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for her impressive lifespan of 38 years and 3 days. Her owner credits her longevity to their interesting diet of dry cat food given in addition to broccoli, turkey bacon, eggs, and coffee with cream. Cats that are well cared for and genetically robust  live for 18 to 20 years.

Having your cat’s teeth checked by the vet at each visit is also important for your cat’s longevity. Sage Journals published a paper titled “Chronic Kidney Disease in Aged Cats” in 2016. The paper’s authors explain that CKD typically affects senior cats over the age of 12 and that the issue is primarily initiated by aging. The Journal of the American Veterinary Association published a study titled “Investigation of relationships between body weight and age among domestic cats stratified by breed and sex”  2019. Outdoor cats live for 2 to 5 years on average, according to researchers from the California-Davis University of Veterinary Medicine. However, there are many factors, many of which were discussed above, that come into play when talking about the length of a cat’s life.

How Long Do Stray Cats Live?

According to the Blue Cross, domestic cats can live up to 20 years if they are well taken care of. We strongly urge you to keep your cat indoors, mainly for the animal’s safety. Outdoor and indoor-outdoor pets take an estimated 2.4 billion birds yearly.3 They have even hastened the extinction of many threatened and endangered species. Cats benefit greatly from yearly checkups with their veterinarian, vaccines, parasite prevention and routine blood work.

Indoor vs Outdoor Cats

If you're not sure how old your cat is, you can refer to our guide on how to tell a cat's age. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Cats do seem like they can escape danger due to a little bit of luck and the ability to maneuver stealthily through tricky situations. A spayed (female) or neutered (male) cat has a decreased chance of developing mammary cancer and no chance of ovarian (female), uterine (female), or testicular (male) cancers. Obesity stresses the joints, heart, respiratory system, and more – taking its toll in the form of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other weight-related disorders.

house cat life expectancy

Being patient and supportive can help alleviate any stress they’re feeling. The classic laser pointer will provide mental stimulation and entertainment for your cat. Make sure if you use a teaser toy or laser pointer that you give your cat something tangible to “kill” and “eat” at the end of the chase, such as a catnip toy or a few treats.

What are the lifespans of common cat breeds?

A long lifespan with an excellent quality of life is the end game. Understanding your responsibility is at the crux, and it’s essential to know what it entails before getting a cat. We spoke to Ashley Callihan, a vet technician with DodoVet, for more insight into a cat’s longevity and if some cat breeds live longer than others. If you’re in an area where there may be predators roaming around, letting your cat outside can be dangerous. The same goes for letting your cat roam the city streets that are filled with cars and other hazards. Untreated cat anxiety can make life even more difficult for indoor-outdoor cats because of all the people and noises outside.

While the average household includes its fair share of dangers, keeping cats indoors is generally considered a benefit to their longevity. Make sure to “cat-proof” your home, removing variables and hazards to create a safe environment. You’ll probably need to make different adjustments for a senior cat than you’d make for a kitten. Cat owners often wonder – how long will my feline friend be with me? While it’s impossible to predict any individual cat’s lifespan, understanding the average cat life expectancy can help set realistic expectations. Most domestic cats live between years, with plenty of variation above and below that typical range.

Creme Puff’s owner even claimed to give her an eyedropper full of red wine once per week to “help her circulation.” It may not sound like your typical cat diet, but there must be some merit to it. Although, you definitely should consult your vet before adding coffee or wine into your cat’s diet. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound sourced from the hemp version of the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol is safe to use daily in cats of all ages and sizes.

If your cat is obese, talk to your vet about healthy diet plans for your feline friend and give them cat food that will help them lose weight. A cat’s health is significantly impacted by their diet for the better or the worst. As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to provide your cat with a healthy, balanced feline nutrition that will support a long lifespan. Always having fresh water available to them is a crucial part of a balanced diet. Most obviously, indoor cats have easier access to food and freshwater than outdoor cats do more often than not.

Carbohydrates can even decrease how much protein is digested, so they are, in fact, harmful to a cat. Cats require a large amount of protein when compared to a dog, due to their unique digestive system. Adult cats should receive at least 5.5 g/kg of protein a day.

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If a cat cannot run around and play regularly, they may become depressed. CBD boosts immunity, cognition, and general health while aiding the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, hyperactivity, kidney disease, allergies, seizures, and cancer. A list of some of the more common factors affecting the average cat's lifespan. Finally, maintaining a clean litter box can help keep your cat healthy. Scooping litter should be part of your daily cat care rituals.

As a pet parent, it can be difficult to think about the life expectancy of your animal. Our pets are such a valuable part of our lives — but sadly, their expected life span is important to consider, especially if you’re bringing a new pet into your home for the first time. Everyone has a hard time saying goodbye to their pets, but knowing how long your cat should live and what stages you can expect them to go through can help you take better care of them. As your cat gets older, they may need special care that they didn’t need when they were young, including special cat vitamins and supplements. Besides becoming less active, cats may experience other behavior changes as they near the end of their life.

Search our database of over posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Kelly Anne has over six years of experience with reporting and editing in the personal finance space. Her work has been featured in national publications including Reader's Digest, CNBC and Forbes.

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