Cats, often joked to have nine lives, can live up to 20 years when provided with proper healthcare and a safe environment. The lifespan of a cat is largely dependent on various factors, including diet, whether they are neutered, and if they are domestic or roam freely. Neutering prevents reproductive diseases and certain behavioural problems, positively impacting their health. Owners who understand the stages of life a cat goes through can better address health issues as they arise, thus increasing the likelihood of a longer life for their feline companions.
Life Stages
Kitten (up to six months)
During the kitten stage, it’s crucial to introduce your cat to new things such as other pets, household noises, and being brushed and handled. This is also a period of familiarizing them with children. Kittens experience a rapid growth spurt during this time, making it a good time to neuter your pet to stop unwanted litters and ensure a healthier life ahead.
Junior (six months – two years)
In this period, known as the Junior stage, a cat reaches its full size and sexual maturity. It’s a crucial time to teach your pet to play appropriately with people, ensuring that rough and tumble games are directed towards toys, not hands. This helps to engage their natural instincts without encouraging biting or scratching. It’s important to remember that a kitten that is allowed to bite and scratch playfully might continue these behaviors as they grow up, when their bites and scratches become harder and more harmful.
Prime (three – six years)
In the Prime of their life, typically between three and six years, a cat is at its most young and healthy. During this phase, it’s important to ensure they are up to date on vaccinations and regular health checks to prevent diseases and illnesses that can impact their quality of life. This period is often considered the golden years in a cat’s life journey.
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Mature (seven – 10 years)
As a cat ages into the Mature stage, between seven to ten years, they reach the human equivalent of their mid-forties to mid-fifties. You may notice your pet beginning to slow down, and it’s likely they may gain weight. It becomes increasingly important to monitor their food consumption, ensuring the right amount corresponds with their level of activity. If you’re unsure or if they appear overweight, consider cutting back on meal times or speaking with your vet for advice.
Senior (11 – 14 years)
When a cat reaches its Senior years, between 11 to 14 years old, they are akin to a human age of around 70 years old. Providing ample mental stimulation is key to keeping them happy and active in these senior years. Enriching their environment with things like food puzzles can keep them entertained while helping to manage weight issues. It’s a time for them to relax and enjoy their golden years, with adjustments to their diet and activity levels to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Geriatric (15 years and older)
When cats reach the Geriatric age of 15 years and older, you’ll often see signs of them slowing down. They’re the lucky ones who get to live life in the slow lane, often snoozing away the day on their favorite pillow. At this stage, they should be closely monitored for any changes in behaviour, vocalisation, or frequency of toilet use. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s wise to book an appointment with your vet to ensure their continued health and comfort in their golden years.
How Long Do Cats Live? Here’s What to Expect
Thanks to advances in feline medicine, nutrition, and care, house cats are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to help your kitty reach their golden years. Providing proper care at every life stage significantly affects the overall lifespan of cats, ensuring they thrive through each phase of their life.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Cat?
The average lifespan of a cat is typically 13-17 years, though some lucky felines can live up to 20 years or more. The world record for the oldest cat is held by Creme Puff, who lived to be 38 years old.
Many factors contribute to how long a cat will live. These include:
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle
- Preventative care
- Breed
- Genetics
Factors that contribute to a cat’s lifespan include nutrition, lifestyle, preventative care, breed, and genetics. Interestingly, mixed-breed cats often experience hereditary illnesses less frequently than purebred cats, potentially leading to an average lifespan that’s one to two years longer. Breed-specific lifespans vary; for example, Maine Coon cats may live 10-13 years, while Siamese can reach 15-20 years. For purebred cat parents, understanding your kitty’s breed and its specific needs is crucial in maximizing their healthy years.
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Indoor Cat vs. Outdoor Cat Life Expectancy
Cats that are allowed unsupervised and unlimited outdoor access often see their average life expectancy cut in half compared to indoor cats. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk of infectious disease from wildlife or other cats, trauma from predators or vehicles, and parasites like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms.
- Infectious disease (from wildlife and/or other cats)
- Trauma (from predators and/or vehicles)
- Parasites (fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites)
While cats can benefit emotionally and behaviorally from supervised outdoor activities like walking on a leash or exploring outdoor enclosures, indoor-only pets in a properly enriched environment tend to live much longer than their counterparts who roam freely outside.
How to Help Your Cat Live Longer?
While we all wish there was a magic elixir to make our cats live forever, there’s no way to cheat death and some illnesses are unavoidable. But there are quite a few things pet parents can do to help their cat live longer.
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While there’s no magic elixir to make cats live forever or cheat death, certain illnesses are unavoidable. However, pet parents can do much to help their cat live longer. First, stay up-to-date on vaccines appropriate for your cat’s lifestyle to prevent diseases that are hard or impossible to treat. Even indoor cats need certain vaccinations.
Secondly, since cats are masters at hiding symptoms of illness, annual checkups and routine blood testing with your vet are crucial for detecting issues early. A strong relationship with your vet is key to noticing changes that might not be apparent during a regular exam. Lastly, monitor your cat’s weight as obesity can lead to life-limiting issues like severe arthritis and diabetes.
A well-balanced diet appropriate for their life stage, meal feeding, and adjusting food intake to match each cat’s individual metabolism, especially in multi-cat households, is essential for their overall health and longevity.
How long do cats live? Ageing and Your Feline
Cats are living longer now, thanks to improvements in nutrition and veterinary medicine, including vaccines and therapeutic agents. It’s not uncommon for cats to live over 15 years, and some even surpass 20 years. The life expectancy of an indoor-only cat tends to be longer than that of an outdoor cat. Indoor cats often live 12-18 years, and some reach their early 20s. The oldest reported cat, Creme Puff, lived to 38 years old. On the other hand, outdoor cats often lead shorter lives due to traumas like motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks, and are more susceptible to life-threatening viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia, often contracted through fighting with an infected cat.
Keeping your feline fit and healthy
There are many things you can do to help your feline friend live happily through their golden years.
Observation plays a critical role in noticing small changes in your cat’s behaviour and general well-being. Conducting a weekly mini-physical examination helps monitor their water intake, appetite, breathing patterns, coat quality, and checking for any lumps or bumps. Pay attention to their coughing, physical abilities, toileting habits, and grooming habits.
Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date and maintain regular veterinary check-ups for a thorough physical examination. A balanced diet suitable for your cat’s age is crucial in maintaining a healthy weight range. Incorporate moderate playtime and a stress-free environment to keep your feline both mentally and physically healthy.
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What Happens as a Cat Ages?
The ageing process is accompanied by many physical and behavioural changes:
- Immune system of older cats becomes less effective at fending off foreign invaders.
- Skin becomes thinner, less elastic, with reduced blood circulation, making them prone to infection.
- Grooming becomes less effective in older cats, leading to hair matting and skin odour.
- Claws of ageing felines may become overgrown, thick, and brittle and need to be clipped
- Hearing loss is common in advanced age.
- Eyes may show haziness in the lens, an age-related change, affecting vision.
- Dental disease can hinder eating and cause significant pain.
- Feline kidneys often undergo age-related changes, leading to impaired function or kidney failure.
- Degenerative joint disease or arthritis makes movement painful, affecting their ability to use litter boxes, jump, or climb stairs.
- Hyperthyroidism, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer are more prevalent in older cats.
- Like in humans, ageing changes in the brain can lead to loss of memory, alterations in personality, or senility in elderly cats.
- Older cats may experience wandering, excessive meowing, disorientation, or avoidance of social interaction.
Conclusion
Understanding the intricacies of a cat’s lifespan is essential for every cat owner. With advancements in veterinary care and nutrition, cats are enjoying longer lives, often reaching into their early twenties. The key to a cat’s longevity lies in proactive and preventive care, including regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and a balanced diet. Recognizing and adapting to the various stages of a cat’s life, from kitten to geriatric, ensures that they not only live longer but also thrive with good quality of life. By creating a safe, stimulating, and stress-free environment, cat owners can significantly enhance their feline friend’s life, cherishing every moment of their journey together.
People Are Also Interested In:
Can Cats Live for 20 Years?
Yes, cats can live for 20 years and even longer. The average lifespan of a pet cat is typically between 13 to 14 years, but this lifespan varies. A well-cared-for cat can live to 15 years or beyond, with some extraordinary felines reaching 25 to 30 years of age.
Do Happy Cats Live Longer?
There is evidence suggesting that happy cats may live longer. Like in humans, a cat’s overall well-being, including its mental and emotional state, can positively impact its health and longevity.
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Do Male or Female Cats Live Longer?
Female cats typically outlive male cats. According to the 2010 Guinness World Records, the oldest cat ever recorded was Creme Puff, who died in 2005, aged 38 years and 3 days. Generally, crossbred cats tend to outlive purebred cats.
What is the Main Cause of Death in Cats?
The main cause of death in cats, particularly senior cats, is Cancer. Cancer encompasses uncontrolled cell growth, resulting in many different forms and kinds of cancer that can attack your pet.
