Cats are some of the most beloved pets in the world. They’re also some of the longest-lived pets, with many felines enjoying a lifespan that can extend into their late teens or early twenties. If you’re concerned that how long do cats live then you should know that there are several factors that influence this length: breed, lifestyle choices, and health care options. Today we will discuss a rough idea of how long cats live as well as the factors. So, let’s get started.
A precise answer to the question “How long do cats live?”
Cats are known for their long life expectancy and have been living with humans for over 9,000 years. But how long exactly can a cat live?
The average age of a pet or domestic cat is 10 – 15 years old.
The average age of a wild cat is 2 – 5 years old.
Cats can live up to 25 years the most, but most of them die when they are between three and five years old because of accidents or diseases.
At this stage, you may be wondering how to determine the age of your cat. So, the following post is a must-read for you.
Factors that impact your cat’s lifespan
While there is no concrete estimation of the life expectancy of pet cats, there are some factors that can help predict how long you’ll have with your cat. These include:
Age
There’s no question that older animals tend to live longer than their younger counterparts—but this isn’t always the case. Like people and other mammals, cats may experience dramatic changes in health as they get older and develop various chronic diseases or other conditions like arthritis or neurological disorders.
However, while pet cats are estimated to live between 10 – 15 years, you need to judge your cat’s age at this time. This will conclude with a rough idea of how many years to come your friend will accompany you.
Genetics
Just as we inherit our eye color from our parents, cats can inherit certain health conditions from their littermates and parents—and these may directly impact longevity. Some examples include heart disease (which is more common among Siamese cats), kidney disease (more common among Maine coon cats), hyperthyroidism (more common with Birman kittens) and polycystic kidney disease (more prevalent among Persian breeds).
Though it is a thing to consider when you adopt a pet cat, remember this is not always true. You can see a perfect example within human beings. If your father and forefather have some chronic disease, doesn’t means you will be caught up in that for sure. Got it!!??
Diet / Health
A cat’s diet plays a role in his or her overall well-being; if he eats too much fatty food or doesn’t get enough exercise, his chances of developing certain medical problems increase significantly over time—including diabetes mellitus type 2 which could shorten his lifespan by up to 25%! In addition to proper nutrition and exercise levels being essential parts of any senior cat’s life plan.
Lifestyle factors
One of the most important factors that impact a cat’s lifespan is its environment—whether it be outdoor or indoor. Cats who live indoors tend to live longer than their outdoor counterparts. In fact, studies have shown that cats who spend all their time outdoors are likely to live between 2 and 5 years, while those that spend all their time inside can live up to 12 years or more!
Another important factor is whether you bring your cat in from the cold in wintertime or let him run around outside year-round. Cats living indoors tend to be healthier than those living outside because they’re less exposed to viruses, bacteria, and parasites (including fleas). Indoor or pet cats also enjoy the luxury of a favorable environment as well as vaccination, regular vet visits, and last but not least sensible prevention from diseases.
Breeds
The breed is not a factor in a cat’s lifespan.
The most important thing when choosing what sort of cat to adopt is how well they get along with other pets or children in your home. Cats are also individuals just like humans; some may be extremely active while others prefer quiet evenings spent snuggling up on the couch watching Netflix. Make sure there are no major differences between yours and the one you want before adopting!
Wild Cats vs. Pet cats
- Domestic pet cats live longer. However, feral cats are much more active than their domesticated counterparts. A wild cat can spend hours each day stalking prey or climbing trees to escape predators. This constant activity boosts the immune system and helps maintain a healthy weight.
- Wild cats have better diets and tough environments but are not muchly favorable all the time. Cats that live in homes have trouble accessing natural foods like mice, birds, small fish, and insects—but this is not something they lack entirely because they can easily go outside to hunt for food themselves (though some may prefer not doing so). It’s worth noting here that while some pet owners feed their pets commercialized versions of dry food, it isn’t strictly necessary as long as they’re getting enough fresh water daily and getting regular exercise through playing with toys or running around outside during supervised playtime sessions
- The bottom line is that wild cats live around 2 to 5 years due to most of the harsh environments as well exposed to diseases without vet availability. On the other hand, domestic cats live longer which may extend to 2 decades. The only reason behind this is extra care and a luxurious environment.
How you can care for your cat?
The best way to keep your cat healthy is by taking him to the vet on a regular basis, as well as making sure he receives proper nutrition and dental care.
Regular Vet Check-Ups
The first step toward keeping your pet healthy is making sure that he or she sees the vet on a routine basis. This type of check-up will often include vaccinations and other forms of preventative care. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about anything else that may be concerning you—for example, if your cat seems more lethargic than usual or has been vomiting, these symptoms could indicate an underlying health issue and should be brought up at this time.
Vaccinations
Vaccination plays a vital role in protecting pets against severe attacks of several diseases.
Your kitten would get several shots and boosters until it’s adult. However, a cat gets vaccination throughout her whole life once or twice a year. You should avoid it to keep your cat healthy and smiling.
Dental Care
The teeth and mouth are the main entrance points that lead to the stomach and the stomach is the main house that will get inspired by the imported germs and bacteria. This will make or break the overall health of your cat.
So, mouth, dental, and nail sanity and disinfection are so important.
You must take advice from your Vet on how to perform routine inspections of these areas as well as how to clean and disinfect them.
Nutritious diet
Only for your beloved cat’s long life, you must serve your cat with a reasonably healthy and nutritious diet.
A nutritious diet is one that provides your cat with the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive. A healthy diet can help prevent obesity and certain diseases, like diabetes and kidney disease.
Feeding your cat a nutritious diet is easy! Here’s how:
- There are many different types of cat food available on the market today. You should feed your cat a high-quality brand of cat food that meets all of its nutritional needs.
- Feed your cat at least once a day, but not more than twice.
- Make sure that you are giving your cat enough water throughout the day as well! You should provide at least one bowl of fresh water per day for each cat in your household.
- You can serve slices of meat and fish to your cat as well. The quantity will depend on food to weight ratio.
A suitable environment for living
A suitable environment for living for your cat in a nutshell ….. here is what it sums up to
- A litter box and a clean litter box
- Place to eat and drink water
- A place to sleep and hide from other pets and people
- Scratching post (optional)
- The room temperature should be between 64 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The type of light should be soft, so it does not hurt the eyes of your cat when it is sleeping or eating.
Do you really love your feline? Then serve her with the best of the best of the above necessities of her life.
How often should you take your cat to the vet?
How often you should take your cat to the vet depends on its age, current health, emergency, and several other related factors.
If you have an adult cat with no special health conditions, it should be seen by its vet at least once a year for an annual physical exam. This will allow the vet to perform any necessary tests and administer vaccinations that are due at that time. If your cat is older than 7 years old, it will also likely need blood tests done annually in order to check for any problems like diabetes or kidney disease.
If your cat has a chronic condition like diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, or seizures then they will likely need to go every 6 months for a complete examination. You should also schedule an appointment with your vet if you start noticing any behavior changes such as not eating or drinking normally or if your cat starts having accidents outside of their litter box.
My personal judgment:
Cats can live long, healthy lives when properly cared for
The best ways to ensure a cat’s health and longevity are proper nutrition, vet care, and environmental enrichment. To properly feed your cat, you should consult the veterinarian on what food is right for them. This will vary depending on their age, size, and level of activity. A well-fed cat will live longer than an undernourished one.
In addition to feeding your pet properly, it is important that they receive regular veterinary care from a licensed vet who has experience with cats specifically (not just dogs). While there are many different types of veterinarians who specialize in animals ranging from birds to horses; most vets only choose a few species that they know very well so make sure yours specializes in felines before making an appointment!
The Bottom Line:
Cats are incredibly resilient and can adapt to just about any lifestyle. It’s important to remember that cat health is affected by many factors, not least among them is what you do for them. By taking care of your cat’s basic needs, you can help ensure that they live long, healthy lives. Cheers!