How Long do Cats Live? The Lifespan of Cats

If you’re a pet lover, then a cat will surely be a great addition to your family and an important companion you can socialize with. The bad news about them is that, like a lot of other pets, cats will usually live considerably less than you will. Although you will want to have your cat outlive you so you can enjoy her presence until you pass away, most of the time, regardless of how much care you put into raising her in the best way possible, you will outlive your cat.

When talking about the life span of a cat, you should know that the average numbers are just that, an average. This is why you should spend as much time with the pet as possible and attend to her every need instead of focusing on the day of her passing.

So how long should you expect a cat to live?

Although data isn’t very conclusive regarding the exact lifespan of cats, what is known for sure is that an outdoor cat will usually live considerably less than an indoor one. According to research done in 2015 by the Vets Now website, due to lifestyle differences, cats that roam outside will live a lot shorter than ones that are strictly indoor pets. This is because the outside world presents a lot of dangers to cats, like wild or domestic animal attacks or road traffic accidents.

You might also like my articles on the lifespan of dwarf hamsters, red-eared sliders, and gerbils.

This study was also able to find some differences in the expected life span between purebred cats and crossbred ones. While a purebred cat will only live around 12.5 years on average, crossbred specimens will usually reach the age of 14 with ease.

What is the average age a cat will reach?

The University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has done a report that states that indoor cats will get to an average age of 10 to 15 years. The same report has shown that outdoor cats will live on average a lot less, only reaching an age of two to five years.

You should also know that recent advancements in veterinary knowledge and treatments have managed to increase the average age of cats raised as pets. This, combined with high-quality food and a stress-free life, almost guarantees that your cat will have a long and happy life.

Can your cat live up to 20 years?

There are a lot of cats that will not only reach the age of 20 years but also go above it. This is usually the case with indoor cats, but there are accounts of some outdoor cats that reached an old age while growing around people. Among the most important factors to influence the life span of a cat are her general health, her genetics, and of course, the level of care she receives.

How to keep your cat alive for longer

Although the genetics of your cat will have a huge role in how much it will ultimately live, there are a lot of things you can do directly to influence your cat’s chances of living a longer, healthier, and happier life. One of the very important steps you should go through to ensure a long life for your cat is to set up periodic veterinary checks for the pet. If you take your cat to the vet periodically, the vet will be able to get to know the animal, spot any medical issues that might pop up, and figure out the perfect treatment before they become severe and influence the life of the animal. The vet will also be able to help you figure out the best paths in terms of weight management, addressing health and lifestyle challenges, and maximizing your pet’s health.

You should also try to create some healthy habits around the house as well. Your cat should have a lot of playtime each day to get her needed exercise and avoid weight issues. Although constant exercise is great for your cat, she might not know this and you might even have to push her towards staying active, especially if she is raised as a strictly indoor animal. Try getting a cat tree with lots of toys to give her something to play with, but also spend time with her and play with her as much as possible.

Another very important thing you should consider if you want to have a healthy and long-living cat is the food it eats. Your vet can give you some great pointers as to what your cat should eat and what her entire diet should look like.

Of course, as you get close to your cat you will want it o live as long as possible. You will be able to extend her life span by providing proper care and attending to her needs. Periodical vet visits and getting prepared for any unexpected vet expenses are among the very important parts of maximizing the life span of your animal.