The Astonishing Average Lifespan of a House Cat

Table Of Content

• The importance of a safe and stimulating environment for a cat’s longevity
• Live chat with our team
• How Long Do Cats Live? Feline Lifespan Facts Explained (Vet Approved)
• How To Find Your Cat’s Age
• The Best Low-Fat Dog Foods To Help With Weight Management And Other Health Issues
• Average lifespan of a Cat
• How Many Cat Years Are in a Human Year?
• What Factors Affect How Long Indoor Cats Live?

Many people don’t know what to do with a litter of kittens, and cats that give birth outside of their homes may not be able to care for their kittens on their own properly. Dr. Laria Herod is a full-time veterinarian and the content creator behind lifestyle brand Squally Muffin. With DodoVet, you can connect via video chat, phone or text with an empathetic veterinary expert who can help you be the best pet parent you can be. Say goodbye to Dr. Google and have all your pet parent questions answered anytime, anywhere. This is why taking care of your cat is particularly important as they start to get older.

The importance of a safe and stimulating environment for a cat’s longevity

Indoor cats tend to live the longest, 13 to 17 years on average. Indoor cats are not only less prone to injury or trauma, but also have less exposure to parasites and infectious diseases. However, your cat’s breed, genetics, diet and activity level can also impact its lifespan. While it is impossible to know exactly how long a cat will live, some breeds of cats are known to often live longer than others.

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Generally speaking, the first two years of a cat’s life is considered to be the equivalent of 25 years. From that point onward, each additional year is counted as 4 “cat years” on their life. 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. There are six simple steps you can take to help increase the life expectancy of your cat.

How Long Do Cats Live? Feline Lifespan Facts Explained (Vet Approved)

She has a background in business education and a master's degree in international communication studies. Food-related issues like unbalanced diets and overeating can cause many significant problems later. Whether it’s barely dodging a darting car or landing on their feet from great heights, cats seem to have the universe on their side. Nine is also a lucky number in Chinese culture, as it is considered a long-lasting symbol. Today, many believe the concept of nine lives has to do with luck. This is why it is important to make sure you spay and neuter your cats, because there are so many homeless ones, and to find good homes for any you come across who don’t have one.

How To Find Your Cat’s Age

These can be related to arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, or even early kidney or digestive issues. Mature cats should have routine bloodwork done every one to two years to monitor for early changes in the kidneys, liver, or thyroid. Kittenhood is also the time their immune system is introduced to protective vaccines, such as FVRCP, rabies, and FeLV vaccines. Older kittens (6 months to 1 year) should be spayed or neutered to reduce the risk of certain cancers and life-limiting behavioral issues, such as urine marking or spraying. And with a little creativity and flexibility, you can help almost any cat live a longer, happier, healthier life.

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Careful management of their weight will reduce the likelihood of health conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, in the future. With creativity and toys, they can satisfy their needs to hunt and stalk indoors and be happy healthy indoor cats. Just as playtime is important for young humans, it is also crucial for cats as they grow and develop, even into their older years. If a cat cannot run around and play regularly, they may become depressed. Environmental enrichment is essential for preventing boredom and promoting mental stimulation. Provide toys, scratching posts, and interactive playtime to keep your cat engaged and mentally stimulated.

Indoor cats generally reach the higher end of that spectrum, with some living to 20 years or beyond when provided with attentive care. As previously mentioned, whether your cat is an indoor-only cat or not can significantly impact its lifespan. Indoor cats tend to live twice as long as outdoor cats, and they also usually outlive cats that are allowed outdoors part time without supervision. The average kitten owner can expect healthy domestic cats to live for more than a decade with an appropriate diet and healthcare regimen.

How Many Cat Years Are in a Human Year?

Cats are great at hiding illness so owners should pay attention to any changes in behaviour. Changes such as moving around less, difficulty jumping as high and weight gain or loss could be put down to ageing but they could also be a symptom of illness. If you’re concerned at all it’s best to contact your vet or out of hours your nearest Vets Now for advice.

This is one of several reasons that inside cats live the longest. On average, a healthy indoor tabby cat will live for 12 to 18 long years. This is taking into consideration their health and environmental status. If they do not have any significant health problems and live in a home where they are well taken care of, you shouldn’t be surprised to see a tabby living happily to the age of 18 years old. 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.

Understanding your cat’s age allows you to give your fur baby great care at every stage in their life. When you’ve adopted a cat, you may celebrate their "gotcha day" rather than their birthday, since you typically don’t have all the details of their past. However, your cat needs age-specific care, so it’s important for you and your veterinarian to have a rough idea of their age. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cats reach the equivalent of 15 human years in their first year of life and 24 human years by their second. After their second birthday, our fur babies start to age about four human years for every cat year.

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You may even notice your elderly cat isn’t as active or is having accidents outside of the litter box, which could be a sign of kidney disease or arthritis. While no one can say exactly how long a cat’s lifespan is, statistics can give a general answer to the question. Every cat is different and will go through their own set of experiences. 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. Cougars, coyotes, raccoons, and even birds of prey may come after outdoor cats. Even a small injury inflicted by one of these animals can be fatal if it gets infected.

Routine weigh-ins, body condition checks, and dietary counseling help set cats up for longevity. Burmese cats typically live 16-20+ years, significantly exceeding the year average for mixed breed cats. To ensure the prolonged health of your cats, limit their outdoor time, neuter them at the right age and have regular check-ups with their veterinarians. They may sleep more and be less active, and may begin to put on weight. They might also show signs of declining vision, hearing loss or joint stiffness. Some elderly cats lose weight as they become more susceptible to common old-age illnesses like kidney disease.

Dental disease and loss of olfaction are common as cats age, affecting eating habits. How a cat's health is affected by aging may be managed through modifications in a cat's diet, accessibility adjustments, and cognitive stimulation. Outdoor cats tend to live far shorter lives than their more domesticated counterparts.

One of the biggest concerns goes back to the advantage of an outdoor cat, namely, weight maintenance. In a confined space, it may be hard for your cat to get enough exercise. I created this blog to share my love of cats with fellow enthusiasts, and to provide a platform for cat owners to connect and learn more about our furry friends.

Video chat with our online vets seven days a week, from 8am to 11pm. Our emergency vets, vet nurses and support staff are all encouraged to provide insightful, evidence-based advice and content for our website. This article is one of many written by a member of our frontline team. They usually still appear very youthful, and it can actually be very difficult to tell the age of an adult cat.

A cat’s longevity depends on many factors including breed, veterinary care, nutrition, lifestyle, and more. With optimal care, it’s possible for cats to reach 20 years or even older ages. For owners looking to maximize their time with their kitties, promoting excellent health and adapting as cats age are key. 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.