Average Life Expectancy for Cats | How Long Do Domestic Cats Live (2024)

Though most would say that they are more of a dog person than a cat person, some would still prefer having a cat as their buddies. Known to be great companions and their ability to hunt household pests, cats are loved to be kept as a pet.

They are domesticated mammal often small, usually furry and carnivorous. Since most are kept as an indoor pet, they are called a housecat or simply, a cat.

Like any other animals that you want to have as a pet, they need your care and time. Since you want them as a companion, it is good to know the life expectancy of your chosen pet.

How Long Do Cats Live? Theirlife expectancy differs in many factors. It depends on whether your petis a domestic one or it is allowed to go outdoors unsupervised. Since outdoor felinesare more exposed to many risks like infectious diseases, foreign elements, vehicles, dogs and other wild animals, even people.

It also depends on the breed or heredity and veterinary care you give your cat. The more you care and give attention to them, the greater the probability that they have better longevity.

Average life expectancy for cats

The physiology of cats has been given attention through studies. As mentioned, commonly resembles other carnivorous mammals, even so, theydisplay several unusual features which may be attributed to their descent from desert-dwelling species.

They reduce the flow of blood to their skin so that they conserve heat. They lose heat by evaporation through their mouths. Their ability to sweat is minimal because their glands are located primarily in their paw pads.

In general, cats can have long, healthy lives if given proper nutrition and veterinary attention.On average, they age from 12-20 years.

A study found that to increase life expectancy, spaying and neutering can be considered. The study showed that neutered male cats live twice as long as intact males, while female oneswhich were spayed live 62% longer than intact males.

Some of the benefits of a cat being neutered are that castrated males are not to develop testicular cancer. Spayed females, on the other hand, cannot develop uterine or ovarian cancer. Both male and female have also reduced the risk of mammary cancer.

You may check this video that discussesWhat is the Lifespan of a Cat.

Domestic cat lifespan

Domestic cats since they are mainly carnivorous, they have a simple gut and rough tongue that aids them in cleaning up to the last morsel from animal bones which they prey. They also use this to groom themselves.

The small intestine is only about three times the length of their body. Their diet depends on the choice of humans though they may supplement it by hunting their own prey.

The household oneaverages from 6 to 10 pounds. Among non-pedigreed breeds, however, it can weigh up to 28 pounds. On average, their length is 28 inches for males and 20 inches for females.

Their skin composed of dermis and epidermis is capable of regeneration and can fight off infection quickly. It’s their tiny erector muscles attached to the hair follicles that enable them to bristle over.

Domestic cats have an average life span of 15 years.

Tabby cat lifespan

Tabby is a dark-striped coat coloring found in wild cats and domestic cats. It is also known as the grey tiger. It features distinctive stripes, dots, lines or swirling patterns usually together with a mark resembling “M” on its forehead.

Tabbies are sometimes erroneously assumed to be a cat breed.

Tabbies usually live an average of 15-20 years, taking in consideration how they are being taken care of since most of them are indoor.

How long do Siamese cats live

The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cat. The Siamese became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America in the 20^th century.

Their appearance is of elongated, tubular and muscular body and a triangular head which forms a perfect triangle from the tip of the nose to each tip of the ear. The eyes of the Siamese are almond-shaped and light blue.

Swedish insurance data reveals that Siamese and those derived breeds have a higher mortality rate compared to other breeds. The lifespan of Siamese group averages between 10 to 12.5 years.

Savannah cat lifespan

Savannah is a cross breed of Serval and Domestic cat. Their tall and slim body gives them the appearance that they are of greater size than their actual weight. Their size depends primarily on generation and sex.

Since Savannah is a product of crossbreeding between Servals and Domestic cats, each generation of Savannahs is marked with a filial number.

Savannah cat’s lifespan could be as long as 17-20 years like Serval cats from which they are crossed. It cannot be said that their longevity could be any less even if they are a crossed breed.

How long do Persian cats live

The Persian is also called Longhair or Persian Longhair. Persian is a long-haired breed of cat characterized by its round face and short muzzle. In the Middle East, they are also known as Shiraz or Shirazi.

The longhair differs in a number of color varieties. The solid colors include white, black, blue, red and cream. A patterned coat, on the other hand, is composed of shaded silver and black, silver, brown, blue or red with darker markings.

Generally, a Persian is described as a quiet. It adapts quite well to apartment life because they are typically placid in nature.

When it comes to grooming, they need your help to be kept clean because they cannot effectively clean themselves due to their thick dense fur.

They need to be bathed regularly, dried carefully and their fur to be brushed thoroughly afterward. You may opt to shave their coat. Regular grooming is necessary for them to prevent matting.

How long do Persian cats live? The median lifespan of the Persian group, based on Pet insurance Data from Sweden is 12.5 years.

Bengal cat lifespan

“Bengal” was derived from the taxonomic name of the Asian leopard cat. They have a wild appearance with large spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly and their body structure are reminiscent of the ALC.

Bengal cats are also a hybrid of a domestic cat. They result from crossing a domestic feline with an ALC, Prionailurusbengalensis. Its origin is the United States.

With respect to their appearance, their rosette spots are only seen at the back and sides with stripes elsewhere. They also have mascara, a horizontal striping alongside the eyes and foreleg striping.

Usually, Bengals are either brown-spotted or snow-spotted. Classified under brown Bengals, there are either marble or spotted markings. Snow Bengals are also either marble or spotted, but are also divided into blue-eyed or any other eye color.

When it comes to health, since hybridization of Asian Leopard cats and domestic cats, it has gained huge popularity. However, recent years show an onset of autosomal recessive disorder which leads to blindness within the first year of age.

The Bengal cat lifespan is 12 to 16 years.

How long do Himalayan cats live

Also named as Himalayan Persian or Colourpoint Persian in Europe, the Himalayan is a sub-breed of long-haired cat identical to Persian except that its blue eyes and its point coloration.

Commonly like Persians, these Himalayan cats tend to be rounded and have short legs. Because of their short legs, it is hard for them to jump as high as other cats do.

Healthwise however, some Himalayans may have in their genes the cause of PKD or Polycystic Kidney Disease, but a generic test can reveal which cats carry the PKD gene, knowing such, you may choose them to be spayed or neutered.

Himalayan cats are medium-sized and weigh from 7 to 12 pounds. Himalayan cats live from 9 to 15 years.

Ragdoll cat lifespan

Ragdoll is called such because of its tendency to flop happily into the arms of anyone who picked it up. Ragdolls were first developed by Ann Baker, a breeder from Riverside California in the 1960s.

The crossbreed was selected from cats with gentle, placid personalities, large size and beautiful long coats characterized by a Himalayan pattern. Later some contributions were made to Ragdolls development such as considering Persians, Birmans, and Burmese.

Female ragdolls cats usually are 10 to 15 pounds and some males weigh more than 20 pounds. Ragdoll cat lifespan is 12 to 17 years.

Considering the genetics of this breed there are varying incidences of health concerns in both pedigreed and mixed-breed. Some of these concerns are 1) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; it’s a form of heart disease that is inherited in Ragdolls, 2) Increased risk for calcium oxalate bladder stones and 3) A predisposition of Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Life expectancy of Maine coon cats

Maine coon, one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, specifically in Maine where it has been regarded as a state cat, is the largest domesticated breed.

Male Maine coon weighs from 15 to 25 pounds and females, on the other hand, weighs 10 to 15 pounds. The height varies from 10 to 16 inches for adults and can reach a length up to 48 inches including the tail which can reach a length of 14 inches.

Maine Coons’ body is solid and muscular which is necessary to support their own weight. Their chest is broad. They have a rectangular body shape and are slow to physically mature. Normally, their full potential size is reached when they are three to five years old, while one year.

Life expectancy of Main Coon cats is 12.5 years. In general, Maine Coons are healthy and hardy breed and are capable to survive the New England climate.

The most common heart disease, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the most severe threat to their health.

How to Make Your Cat Live Longer

For additional information on How to Make Your Cat Live Longer, some important factors to note as presented in Pet MD:

1. Buy quality cat food

As a good cat owner, you should provide a high-quality, balanced and complete diet. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep can healthy and ensure long life. It is also good that the diet should be appropriate for your pet’s life stage and lifestyle.

2. Water consumption

When it comes to their water consumption, encouragement is important since they are not fond of consuming an adequate amount of water. You may do so through the use of canned foods which have moisture content than kibble.

3. Don’t forget to exercise

Because overweight animalsare prone to diseases including diabetes, heart disease, skin and respiratory disease among others, it is important that you keep your petlean and fit.

You may encourage your cat to be lean and fit through interactive play.

4. Considering spaying/neutering your cat

Being spayed or neutered, your pethas a lower tendency for developing annoying or even intolerable behavioral issues such as marking or spraying. It is said that spaying and neutering increase the life span.

5. Provide environmental enrichment

This is most important to indoor breeds. Since they can mostly be bored, you may do enrichment through the use of toys and other things that stimulate your cat’s mind and alleviate boredom.

6. Keep your cat’s teeth clean

It is extremely important to look after your cat’s teeth and mouth. Proper oral care involves both home care and veterinary attention. Dental disease can be painful and may even prevent your feline companion from eating normally.

7. Regular veterinary visits are necessary

Your cat needs not only veterinary attention for dental care but for a thorough examination from their nose to tail. All petsrequire regular visits to the veterinarian.

Further, you may check another pointer on how to make your catdisease free and make their longevity better. See Ways to Help Keep your Cat Disease Free.