It is impossible to stay on Earth for several hundred years, unless, of course, you are a turtle. Unfortunately, cats, like people, are deprived of the opportunity to live for several centuries. It is unlikely that many cats will cross even the ten-year threshold.
As soon as a kitten is born, time begins its inexorable run for it. If a baby was born in a comfortable home environment, then his life will compare favorably with the living conditions of his street brothers. All conditions for a long and contented life have been created for domestic cats: good nutrition, a warm and comfortable place in the house, care from the owner and a visit to the veterinarian.
Street existence is dangerous: cat fights for a place in the sun, the struggle for survival, especially in the winter, competition for places where food can be obtained. Female street cats suffer from uncontrolled pregnancies, which wear out the body and often cause complications. Add to this intestinal parasites, fleas and cruel people who can seriously harm the animal. Such constant stress factors do not contribute to long life.
A domestic cat lives on average 12-15 years , while a street cat lives much less. Let's find out how many years street cats live, which breeds are long-lived, and how to care for your pet to prolong its life.
How long do cats live at home?
It is obvious that cats live longer at home, and their lives are much more pleasant than if they led a half-starved existence on the street. The usual life expectancy ranges from 10 to 20 years. It depends on the breed and living conditions.
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Of course, if the breed is not predisposed to hereditary diseases, then the meowing pet will please its owner longer. The animal's activity will gradually decrease; cats that are approaching the 10-year mark become calmer and prefer a warm, quiet place to noisy fuss.
More often, the answer to the question “how long do domestic cats live” depends on the attentive care of the owner and timely vigilance regarding the cat’s health.
Life of a street and indoor cat
Life expectancy is affected by habitat. Well-groomed and caressed domestic cats live much longer than their street counterparts. The latter have to survive, get food, and hide from the cold in winter. In the cold, death from hypothermia overtakes animals quite quickly.
Kittens born in the basement or on the street die in the first months of life in 90% of cases. The reason for this is weakened immunity, lack of heat and viral diseases. Only the strongest survive, but they have yet to prove their strength in street fights. It is not surprising that they have a short life span - few live up to 7 years, and a 10-year-old street cat will be considered a long-liver.
Animals that end up outside from home find themselves in even worse conditions. Most often, the owners refuse them, indifferently throwing them away like an unnecessary rag. The chances of living at least a year on the street for cats unadapted to such conditions are negligible.
The life of a pet is a different matter. There is good food in the bowl, a warm bed in the room. Vitamins and vaccinations protect against diseases; at the slightest deviation, a caring owner will take all measures to restore the pet’s health.
What determines a cat's lifespan?
We have already found out above that the main rule that contributes to the longevity of a cat is proper care when kept at home. Even the longest-living breed will quickly have its lifespan shortened if forced into uncomfortable outdoor conditions.
Typically, a domestic cat is in good health, and timely vaccinations protect it from accidental diseases on the street. A balanced diet will have a significant impact: this can be high-quality dry food or natural products.
Street cats live an order of magnitude shorter: from 4 to 8 years. Stray cats rarely reach the age of eight: the animal can be killed by rabies, injuries, or weather conditions. Many animals die from poisoning from expired products.
Life expectancy is not affected by the sex of the animal, except that the life of the female is more difficult due to frequent pregnancies and childbirth. Castrated cats and sterilized domestic cats are free of reproductive system problems, so they live noticeably longer.
Overweight cats live fewer years: this is necessarily accompanied by problems with other body systems, including the musculoskeletal system.
How long do castrated cats live?
Neutered cats live longer than their unneutered counterparts for several reasons. One of them is the absence of problems with oncology. A still neutered cat is not looking for adventures in a distant yard and will not want to fight with a stranger, or even just a stray cat.
Such a cat is also protected from hormonal fluctuations in the reproductive system. Since he has no need to reproduce, all diseases of the genital area pass by.
Difficulties can arise if you do not carefully monitor the diet of such a cat: obesity is known to shorten life expectancy. If the animal does not overeat and spends time physically active, then the cat will not face the problem of obesity.
How long do sterilized cats live?
For some reason, many people believe that sterilized cats live much shorter than unsterilized ones. This is misleading because neutering has a positive effect on your cat's overall health:
- The animal becomes several times calmer, more affectionate and smarter. This occurs due to a decrease in the level of hormones, which sometimes simply blocked many mental processes.
- The cat does not require a male, does not strive to reproduce. As a result, the pet is not nervous, does not experience stress, and does not wear out the body with constant pregnancies and lactation.
The sterilization process significantly increases the life of a cat, and therefore is recommended for owners who do not want to constantly decide on the placement of their pet’s offspring.
Does the lifespan of cats depend on their breed?
Issues of longevity of cats are directly related to the genetics of animals. On the one hand, some purebred cats have good health and the absence of hereditary diseases. For example, all Orientals, Persians and Burmese cats are considered one of the longest-living breeds. The British breed also reaches the 15-year threshold. When breeding breeds, felinologists took into account the hereditary qualities of health, so the nursery always provides information about the approximate number of years that the selected cat will live.
The other side of the influence of genetics is not so rosy: genetic disorders, which inevitably arise during inbreeding, negatively affect the health of the animal and reduce the number of years it lives.
Outbred cats are not subjected to any special crossings, except for the call of natural instinct. However, the health inherent in nature cannot cope with street problems, so yard cats live a short but eventful life.
How long do purebred cats live on average?
The average life expectancy of purebred cats is determined, first of all, by what set of defective genes has managed to spread widely in the breed. Difficulties can also arise with rare breeds if a carrier of “slow infections” - viral peritonitis, immunodeficiency or leukemia - is found among the producers.
These diseases are insidious in that they appear only at the age of 3-5 years, and earlier they are problematic to identify. By the age when slow infections appear in cats, they usually have time to become fathers of several litters and infect both offspring and partners.
Lifespans of cats of some breeds:
- British and Scottish shorthairs - 14-16 years old (predisposed to heart pathologies and polycystic kidney disease);
- Maine Coons – 14-16 years old (heart and joint diseases are common);
- Persian - 8-16 years old (often polycystic renal disease);
- Abyssinian - 5-18 years (lifespan is significantly reduced by congenital infections).
If you take a kitten from a competent breeder, its lifespan increases significantly. It's better if he:
- Monitors the lines, removes from breeding those sires whose offspring were found to have sick kittens.
- Conducts all necessary tests for viruses.
- Strictly observes quarantine rules.
The brood of such a breeder will live no less, but longer than their brothers in the breed. In addition to genetics, the life expectancy of animals is influenced by feeding and maintenance.
How to extend a cat's life
Every family sooner or later thinks that their beloved cat will not be with them forever. It’s better if the question “how to prolong a cat’s life” arises before the owner when their pet is still an immature kitten. So, cats live for many years if:
- the owner selects a balanced diet, including vitamin and mineral supplements, and does not overfeed the animal;
- the owner understands the importance of preventive examinations by a veterinarian and the need for vaccinations;
- at the first signs of illness, the cat is taken to the veterinarian for an appointment;
- the animal is encouraged to engage in regular physical activity at any age;
- maintain hygiene and follow the rules of care;
- take preventive measures against fleas, ticks and parasites;
- It is better to castrate the male and sterilize the female if the owner does not plan to engage in breeding work.
There is also a basic rule for many years: you need to love your cat and always find time for her.
What affects the life expectancy of cats
With proper care and the absence of genetic or chronic diseases, many indoor cats can live up to 20 years or more. The average life expectancy is 15-17 years, with spayed and neutered animals living 2-4 years longer.
Factors that reduce life expectancy
First of all, it is the habitat. Adequate and regular nutrition, absence of temperature changes, these factors significantly affect life expectancy. Unbalanced nutrition - food from the owner's table, cheap food that does not contain the required amount of nutrients and vitamins, often leads to the development of endocrine diseases and the premature death of the pet.
Record-breaking cats for life expectancy
Among all the rules there is always an exception. Such exceptions sometimes include cats, whose life length goes beyond the limits provided by nature. Such centenarians are included in the Guinness Book of Records. First place was unconditionally taken by the oldest cat named Puff: 38 years of cat life. There lived a cat grandmother in Texas.
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Also interesting is the cat, who was born at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1903, and lived happily in the southwest of England for 36 years. He died the next day after his last birthday.
Several more cats were among the record holders; one feline was 30 years old, the other was 23. Today, the longest-living cat among the meowing cats lives in Melbourne, Australia, and goes by the name Catalina. The Burmese beauty began her life in the 20th century and is 35 years old this year.
So the formula for long life for cats consists of the following set of factors: a loving owner plus health care plus the qualities of the breed.
Table of maximum life expectancy by breed
The Guinness Book of Records contains many records for life expectancy in cats. However, for most pets, some pattern can be deduced.
| Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold) | 15-20 |
|
| Siberian | 15-17 |
|
| Russian blue | 12-16 | A domestic cat can live longer with care and affection if it is regularly shown to a veterinarian and its nutrition is properly organized. |
| Abyssinian | 15-17 |
|
| Bengal | 12-15 |
|
| Sphinx | 12-15 |
|
| Maine Coon | 14-16 |
|
| Maximum age (years) | Cat breeds |
| 20 |
|
| 19 |
|
| 18 |
|
| 17 |
|
| 16 |
|
| 14 |
|
How long do cats live in human age?
It is a mistaken belief that one year of a cat's life should be equal to seven human years. In the International Veterinary Passport, the first year of a cat’s life is equated to 18 human years, and an animal that has crossed the 20-year mark is considered a long-liver: by human standards, it is already 100 years old.
Biologists have deduced the approximate age ratio of humans and cats.
Table: how to determine the age of a cat by human standards
| Cat age, months | Person's age, years |
| 1 | 1,3 |
| 2 | 2,5 |
| 3 | 3,75 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 6,3 |
| 6 | 7,5 |
| 7 | 8,75 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | 11,7 |
| 10 | 12,5 |
| 11 | 13,75 |
| Cat age, years | Person's age, years |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 24 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 36 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 60 |
| 12 | 64 |
| 13 | 68 |
| 14 | 72 |
| 15 | 74 |
| 16 | 76 |
| 17 | 78 |
| 18 | 80 |
| 19 | 82 |
| 20 | 84 |
How long a domestic cat will live depends on the person. Having taken responsibility for the life of a pet, it is important to maintain its health: properly organize nutrition and timely vaccination.
Care and attention, treating it not as a toy, but as a full member of the family, will help prolong the life of your pet.
Sterilized British
The life expectancy of British breed cats is, on average, 14 years. But there was a case when a cat lived to be 30. Of course, not everyone lives to this age, for which there are a number of reasons:
- Food quality;
- Genetic predispositions;
- Various diseases;
- Place of residence;
- Stress.
Yes, nature has blessed the British with good immunity, but no one is immune from transmitted diseases.
But if they are released outside into extreme conditions, they can live only 5 years. This is affected by changes in diet, infections, injuries and stress.
The boundless love and excessive care of the guardian can negatively affect the health of furry animals. Everyone is trying to feed all sorts of goodies to the limit. It is worth remembering that because of this, pathologies, illness and a decline in immunity can develop.
A British neutered cat lives less than a fertile male cat. In this case, each person decides for himself whether to undergo surgery or not.
When a male starts walking, he always screams, trying to find a partner. But the worst thing is the territory mark. Everything in the house is scratched and does not smell fresh.
How long do castrated cats live?
How many years do castrated cats live is of interest to everyone who is planning to castrate their pet. And why all? Those who are not castrated have behavior that is, to put it mildly, antisocial: screaming, desire to find the cat, marked territory. The latter drives almost everyone crazy: you, since the whole house, car, plot, if you have one, and the neighbors, since the four-legged furry manages to visit them on the balcony or in the garden to do the same thing, what is he doing with you? The scary thing is that in this condition, cats go far from home, fight with other males, can get hurt in unfamiliar terrain, and often leads to long-term treatment consequences or even the death of the animal.
Why does a cat have increased activity?
Due to individual characteristics, pets can recover almost immediately after surgery, showing their usual activity. It is worth noting that they do not feel any discomfort at all and continue to behave as before sterilization.
Unfortunately, such activity becomes a risk to the health of the animal. In addition, such behavior negatively affects his recovery.
Active cats can be aggressive. This is expressed in attempts to bite and scratch anyone who wants to touch them.
Veterinarians recommend:
- Limit the movement of the animal. This can be done with your own hands, creating artificial barriers, closing rooms;
- Ensure complete rest;
- Use sedatives by adding them to water and food.
It is better for owners to prepare for possible attacks of active behavior in advance. A suitable solution would be to create a cool and isolated place for the cat where it will be moved after surgery.
When to castrate a cat
Experts recommend neutering your pet at the age of 6-8 months. This is considered the optimal time for the procedure, since the cat’s genitals are already developed. However, he was not yet interested in representatives of the opposite sex.
If castration is performed on a cat who has previously participated in breeding, this does not save him from searching for a mate. The male will continue to try to continue the race, but the female will no longer bear offspring from him. Some breeders deliberately leave castrated males who mate with cats during the “hunting” period. For the female, this is a kind of “sedative”.
If there is a need to castrate an adult or mature male, he is first subjected to a series of tests. This eliminates the occurrence of emergencies on the operating table.
The age limit for the procedure is 7 years. However, it is quite difficult to say how long domestic cats that are neutered in old age live. Not all veterinarians recommend neutering an old pet.
We recommend reading: The Best Food and Norm for Wavy
Differences between castration and sterilization
When sterilized, the animal will not have the opportunity to produce offspring, but the organs are not touched, basic hormonal functions, marking the territory - all this will be inherent in the pet. Castration occurs through the removal of the ovaries/testes, which affects hormonal levels - inactivity, they stop marking territory, and screaming in the spring.
There is an opinion among professionals that castration is more suitable for cats . During sterilization, hormonal surges occur, leading to an imitation of pregnancy, but without its logical conclusion. High risk of cancer. Everything turns into extreme stress for the animal, loss of appetite and/or activity.
INTERESTING! A cat can be neutered after pregnancy, just wait until the first heat. Although this moment is individual for tailed animals.
Pros of sterilization
The advantages of sterilization (castration) are:
- The absence of sexual instincts, as a result, they are not susceptible to running away from home.
- Changes in metabolism lead to decreased appetite,
- Changes in hormonal levels improve the pet's character,
- The risk of diseases of the genital area and mammary glands is reduced,
- The life expectancy of sterilized cats increases several times compared to their kitten-bearing relatives.
Unfortunately, more than 30% of domestic cats die from neoplasms of the mammary glands, ovaries, and pyometra before reaching the age of six. Sterilized cats usually live at home for at least 10-12 years, and often more than 15.
A sterilized cat will live much longer for her own pleasure, without wasting her time and health on her offspring, since due to a change in her psycho-emotional state she becomes more balanced.
However, the lifespan of a sterilized animal increases not only because of biological indicators, that is, the absence of gonads, but because of the lack of opportunity to become infected with a dangerous disease from a partner, and besides, sterilization reduces the possibility of contracting cancer of the genital area by 99% .
In addition, the psychological sphere of a pet that has undergone sterilization does not experience hormonal explosions and there is no aggressive behavior due to unsatisfied sexual instinct. Thus, even psychological peace increases the life of a sterilized cat by several years.
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How many years can a neutered cat live with good care?
The cat was neutered 2 years ago, he only eats and sleeps! Can you recommend any vitamins or exercises?
The average lifespan of domestic cats is 10-15 years. With good care, cats can live 18-20 years. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a cat named Cream Puff in Texas lived to be 38 years old. Neutered cats live longer because they cannot catch the infection from their partner.
The cat was neutered 2 years ago, he only eats and sleeps! Can you recommend any vitamins or exercises?
Preparation
The owner should focus on the health of the pet, its appearance, the individual characteristics of the breed and not rush to put the pet under the knife on the cat’s first birthday.
You may need to take additional tests to make sure your cat is ready for neutering. When preparing for surgery you should:
- Remove lice and/or fleas.
- The last vaccination is no later than three months.
- Trim claws to prevent the animal from injuring itself during the postoperative period.
12-14 hours before surgery, the pet is not given food, and 3-4 hours before the operation, liquid is not given, since after general anesthesia, vomiting and other side effects are possible.
IMPORTANT! The life expectancy of sterilized cats increases to 10-12 years, often up to 15 years. But do not forget that everything is strictly individual and largely depends on care and lifestyle. There is information about long-livers even at the advanced age of 25.
