Advances in feline medicine, nutrition and care mean that our cats are living longer, healthier lives, and it’s our responsibility as owners to help them live their golden years with the right care at each stage of their life.
So if you’ve ever wondered how long a cat lives, the answer depends largely on how you and your veterinarian work together to address the cat’s nutritional, vaccination, oral hygiene and environmental needs as it changes over the years.
Here’s everything you need to know about cat lifespans.
What is the average lifespan of a cat?
The average lifespan of a cat is between 13 and 17 years. Some lucky cats live for over 20 years. The world record holder is The longest-lived cat on recordThe adorable dog, named Cream Puff, lived to be an amazing 38 years old.
A cat’s lifespan depends on many factors, including:
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nutrition
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Lifestyle
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Preventive care
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Breeding
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Genetics
Mixed-breed cats are thought to be less susceptible to genetic diseases than purebred cats, so their average lifespan is usually 1-2 years longer. Purebred cat owners should also consider their cat’s breed, as different breeds have different lifespans. For example, Maine Coon cats have an average lifespan of 10-13 years, while Siamese cats can live for 15-20 years.
Lifespan of indoor and outdoor cats
Unfortunately, cats that are allowed unlimited, unsupervised outdoor access cut their life expectancy in half. Outdoor cats are at greater risk of:
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Infectious diseases (from wild animals or other cats)
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Trauma (by predators or vehicles)
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Parasites (fleas, ticks, intestinal worms)
Some cats benefit emotionally and behaviorally from supervised outdoor activity, Walking on a lead While some cats do enjoy exploring outdoor enclosures, most can live very happily as indoor-only pets in a properly enriched environment, and these cats tend to live much longer than those that are allowed to roam free.
Cat life stages
As cats age, they go through different life stages that affect their behavior and health needs.
Kittens (up to 1 year old)
A kitten’s job is to grow and learn how to interact with their environment, and this young, playful life stage is crucial to setting them up for success. Most kittens will learn litter box and eating habits without much help, but socializing your kitten and engaging them in appropriate play is also important to ensure behavioral success.
Kittens need more calories at this age to grow bigger and stronger, so it’s important to feed them a diet that’s specially formulated for their growth. A suitable diet will have a nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials on the label stating that the diet “provides complete nutrition for a growing kitten.”
The kitten stage is also the time when their immune system is introduced to preventive vaccines such as the FVRCP, rabies and FeLV vaccines. Older kittens (6 months to 1 year old) should be spayed or neutered to reduce the risk of certain cancers and life-shortening behavioral problems such as urine marking and spraying.
Young Adults (1-6 years old)
Young adult cats are still very active and playful, but their physical growth has finished and they now need fewer calories so should be fed an adult cat food at this stage. Carefully managing their weight can reduce the chances of developing health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes later in life.
Although cats at this age are relatively resistant to disease, it is important to keep them up to date with vaccinations and regular check-ups. That said, certain diseases such as asthma and lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) are more likely to be diagnosed at this age. The earlier these issues are detected, the much more successful the long-term management will be, and baseline blood tests will help establish normal values to compare to as your cat gets older.
Adults (ages 6-10)
As they mature, adult cats may become less mobile, play less and adopt a more sedentary lifestyle.
Behavioural changes may be seen in terms of litter box use or nighttime activity levels – for example, some older cats may become more active late at night and sleep more during the day when they were previously less active, or a cat that was previously fussy about its litter box habits may no longer hide its waste or eliminate outside the litter box.
These may be associated with arthritis, cognitive impairment and even early kidney and digestive problems. Adult cats should have regular blood tests every 1-2 years to monitor for early changes in the kidneys, liver and thyroid.
Owners should closely monitor grooming behavior, hairballs and changes in weight. At this age, attention should be paid to oral hygiene, particularly for cats that resist regular brushing, and dental cleanings should be considered at the veterinarian’s discretion.
Seniors (10 years and older)
The transition from mature adulthood to seniorhood varies from cat to cat. Some cats in this age group remain healthy and muscular for many years, while others become more susceptible to illness and degenerative diseases.
It is generally recommended that cats over 10 years of age have blood and urine tests every six months, as their organ health can change rapidly. Older cats are also more susceptible to blood pressure problems, which can lead to strokes and blindness. Blood pressure can be easily monitored during your cat’s annual wellness check.
Senior cats often become less mobile than they were when they were mature adults, which can be a sign of untreated arthritic pain. Consult your veterinarian about any changes in your senior cat’s behavior.
How to make your cat live longer
While we wish there was a magic pill that would allow our cats to live forever, there is no way to escape death and some illnesses are inevitable, but there are many things pet owners can do to help extend their cat’s lifespan.
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Get the latest vaccine information: Vaccines tailored to your cat’s lifestyle are essential to prevent diseases that are difficult or impossible to treat, and it’s important to remember that indoor cats still need vaccinations.
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Continue your preventive care: Cats are very good at hiding symptoms of illness, so annual checkups with the vet and regular blood tests can go a long way in detecting problems early. The better the relationship between you and your vet, the more likely they will notice any changes during visits. Be sure to discuss any changes in your cat’s behavior, even if they seem small.
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Monitor your cat’s weight: Obesity in cats leads to many problems that shorten their lifespan, including severe arthritis and diabetes. It’s very important to make sure your cat is eating a balanced diet appropriate for this life stage. Feed your cat measured portions (meal feeding is best, especially in multi-cat households) so you can adjust their intake to suit their individual metabolism.
Featured Image: iStock/Magui-rfajardo
