The average lifespan of cats varies among species, ranging from 8 to 20 years. The world’s oldest cat to have ever lived (on record) was Crème Puff, who lived for 38 years and three days before passing away in 2005. Currently, the record for the oldest living cat belongs to Rubble, a Maine Coon cat who celebrated its 31st birthday last year in May.
While these are astounding records, most cats—pets or otherwise—don’t live this long. This may be due to a number of reasons.
Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Cats
A cat’s longevity may be based on several biological and environmental factors. These include:
Breed
Certain breeds of cats typically have a longer lifespan than others. Burmese and Siamese cats are among these, with the average lifespan being between 18 and 20 years.
Nutrition
Good nutrition goes a long way in promoting longevity. This doesn’t only refer to the cats being fed enough times, but also includes them being fed fresh and high-quality food. Different cats have different nutritional needs, so pet owners should take these into consideration when preparing food. Receiving an inadequate diet or being overfed can shorten your cat’s lifespan.
Exercise
Cats aren’t always the most active animals. You’ll see them lounging around lazily, often moving only when they need to defecate. This is especially common among pet cats who are accustomed to being fed and therefore don’t have to run around hunting their prey.
If your cat doesn’t get much exercise, it may live a shorter life than it could. Do what you can to keep your cat active, be it through interactive toys, agility exercises, or frequent walks to the park.
The Average Lifespan of Indoor Cats
The average lifespan of indoor cats, according to ASPCA, is between 17 to 20 years. Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor cats because they are better fed, vaccinated, sterilized, and generally live in a stress-free environment. They have access to cleaner and fresher resources, and are able to get veterinary care including pet testing that helps monitor their health.
The Average Lifespan of Outdoor Cats
As opposed to indoor cats, outdoor cats face a number of challenges which inevitably shorten their lifespan. They’re more likely to be exposed to ticks and fleas, get into fights or accidents, and be unable to find sufficient food (in case of stray cats). As a result, their health and fitness are affected and they end up living shorter lives.
CatDX provides pet testing services using a saliva sample. These include feline leukemia test (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus test (FIV).
Order a test for your cat today!
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