Before adopting a kitten, it’s essential to remember that the animal is destined to live for ten, fifteen or even more years. It’s a long-term commitment, and all the cat’s needs will have to be provided for throughout its life, especially as it ages and needs more attention. A cat’s life expectancy depends on a multitude of factors. These include a healthy lifestyle, the right diet and regular veterinary check-ups.
How many years can a cat live? What aspects need to be taken into consideration to extend a cat’slife expectancy ?
Average life expectancy of a domestic cat
The average life expectancy of a cat is between 10 and 16 years. Feline longevity has increased steadily in recent years, thanks in particular to medical advances. Treatments are becoming more and more effective, making it possible to preserve the animal’s health and help it live longer.
But paradoxically, inadequate lifestyles, such as a sedentary lifestyle and unsuitable diet (too many treats, table scraps, etc.), tend to claim more and more victims among the feline population.
Creme Puff, the world’s longest-living cat
The world record for longevity belongs to Creme Puff, a cat who lived in the USA. She was born in Austin, Texas, on August 3, 1967, and died on August 6, 2005, aged 38 years and 3 days.
As it happens, her owner, Jake Perry, had another cat with exceptional longevity: Granpa, born in 1964 and died at the age of 34 in 1998.
Between the 2, there was Kataleena, a female Burmese born in 1977 and who died aged 35 in 2012. They are followed by Sarah, a New Zealand cat who lived to 33.
What influences a cat’s longevity?
As owners, it’s our duty to ensure that our cats live as long as possible. Above all, it’s important to ensure that they enjoy the best possible quality of life, beyond the number of years they live.
This means regular care, vaccinations, effective control of internal and external parasites, a suitable diet and safety.
A cat’s longevity also depends on factors such as its environment, weight and breed. In fact, some feline varieties boast above-average life expectancy. These include the Maine Coon (15 to 20 years), the British Shorthair (also 15 to 20 years), the Chartreux and the Sacred Birman (14 to 17 years).
As a general rule, indoor cats tend to live longer, for the simple reason that they are less exposed to the risks of accidents that can occur outdoors. Spayed and neutered cats also tend to live longer, as they are less likely to need to go out to find a mate. The latter are less prone to mammary and uterine disease.
