If you have ever wondered how long do cats live or you are trying to find out how more details about your pets including cats and dogs? then this page is for you. You can always visit our Pets Category for everything you wish to learn about your favorite pets as well as how best you can care for them and many more.
Going back to our today’s topic of trying to understand how long do cats live for?, we wish to first describe what a cat is and other characteristics of a cat below in order to actively carry you along with our discussion going forward.
Pet parents want to know how long they can expect their cats to live. The information helps with practical planning and emotional readiness. And while nobody can tell you exactly how long an individual’s lifespan will be, statistics do allow us to answer the question “How long do cats live?” in a general way.
What is a Cat? The cat botanically known as ‘’Felis catus’’ is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal measuring about 46 cm (Without Tail). It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is often referred to as the domestic cat to distinguish it from the wild members of the family.
A cat can live in the wild for about 2 – 16 years, with an adult cat always weighing between 3.6kg – 4.5kg. Cats normally gets about 12 – 16 hours of sleep daily and a gestation period of about 58 – 67 days.
Cats living indoors usually tend to live longer than those in the wild due to the care given to cats raised indoors than outdoors. The life expectancy of an indoor cat is typically 12-15 years because as stated earlier, indoor cats usually live longer than outdoor cats.
However, this is only an average age as some cats can live past 20years if properly and adequately taken care of.
Also, keeping a cat indoors only decreases the risk of trauma (e.g. from being hit by a car or injured by another animals), and certain infectious diseases and can increase longevity as compared to the ones in the wild or those left unattended to within the compounds to roam outdoors every day.
You need to also understand that appropriate environmental enrichment is essential to maintain mental and physical well-being of cats kept indoors.
All these do not mean that cats can’t be raised outdoors as not everyone will love to live with cats inside their houses (indoors). Therefore, if you choose to let your cat outdoors, it allows for natural stimulation. Access outdoors can be supervised with enclosures and lead walking or ensuring your yard is safe and cannot be escaped from.
Read Also: 15 Foods your Dogs and Cats ”Should Not” eat and How to Cure them
Meanwhile, if you want your cat to live longer, there are certain factors that can influence the general life span of your cat and they include the following factors below:
Factors that can influence the life span of a cat (Factors to determine How Long do Cats Live?):
- Breed
- Physical condition: Cats are great at hiding illness so owners should pay attention to any changes in behaviour. Changes such as moving around less, difficulty jumping as high and weight gain or loss could be put down to ageing but they could also be a symptom of illness.
Some subtle signs of illness in cats to look out for include:
- Hiding away/wanting to be alone
- Weakness
- Looking more scruffy/ungroomed than usual
- Eating or drinking more or less than usual
- Going to the toilet more or less
- Heredity conditions
- Diet/ Nutrition: Feed your cat a good quality, well balanced diet according to its age.
- Dental care: Unhealthy teeth and gums also have an impact on cats the and not just bad breath, pain and/or infection! As the gums have a rich blood supply, bacteria can be transported to other organs (such as the liver, kidneys) in the body which may cause damage and even organ failure.
- Veterinary care: Keep your cat healthy with regular treatment for parasites (worms and fleas). Regular veterinary check-ups (at least once a year) are important in order to check the health of your cat and pick up diseases and health issues early.
- Lifestyle (indoor vs outdoor cats)
- Exercise: Some cats are notoriously lazy, so how can you get an indoor cat to exercise? Interacting with your cat is one option. Most cats can’t resist a laser pointer, so spend some time each day having your cat chase the red dot.
Other interactive toys, such as wands with feathers or battery-operated rolling toys can also get your cat moving. If you’re seriously committed to your cat’s fitness, consider investing in a cat wheel or treadmill, which should only be used with your supervision.
In general, that question about How Long do Cats Live? can be determined by the way and manner to which your properly maintained your cats.
9. Prevent Boredom: Keeping your cat engaged can help to extend his life, and there are many ways to do this, including the introduction of new toys regularly, spending time interacting each day, and providing climbing opportunities, such cat towers or wall-mounted options.
Here are the different breeds of cats and their unique characteristics to act as a guide to choose your favorite breed among them or to enable you understand the unique characteristics of the breed of cat you already have.
According to research, below is a list of some of the different breeds of cats we have and their unique characteristics in accordance to How Long do Cats Live and the Different Types of Cats:
Abyssinian Cat breed information
Abyssinian cat – complete breed information and advice. Abyssinians love an audience.
Asian Cat breed information
The Asian cat breed group has something for everyone – with five varieties to choose from!
Australian Mist Cat breed information
Australian Mist cat breed information and advice. The Australian Mist makes a truly stunning family pet.
Balinese Cat breed information
Balinese cat breed information and advice. Balinese cats are not the shy and retiring types, they are smart.
Bengal Cat breed information
Bengal cat breed information. A domestic cat in wild wrapping. The Bengal cat is one of a kind!
Birman Cat breed information
Birman cats breed information and advice. Birmans were made for cuddling.
British Shorthair Cat breed information
British Shorthair cat breed information, a cat with a fabulous temperament and a popular breed of cat.
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Burmese Cat breed information
Burmese cat breed information and advice. The Burmese cat is like a little ray of sunshine with his sleek glossy coat.
Chartreux Cat breed information
Chartreux cat breed information. The Chartreux cat is a robust breed with French origins and a very long history.
Chinchilla Cat breed information
Chinchilla cats breed information, advice for Chinchilla cats.
Cornish Rex Cat breed information
Cornish Rex cat breed information and advice. Nothing compares to the mischievous and loving Cornish Rex cat.
Devon Rex Cat breed information
Devon Rex cat breed information and advice. Devon Rex are the court jesters of the cat world!
Egyptian Mau Cat breed information
Egyptian Mau cat breed information and advice. Breed guide to the stunning Egyptian Mau.
Exotic Shorthair Cat breed information
Exotic Shorthair cat breed information and advice. Exotic shorthair cats are happy, affectionate and a striking looking.
Korat Cat breed information
Korat cat breed information, advice about the Korat cat. Korats have an outgoing personality and handsome good looks.
LaPerm Cat breed information
LaPerm cat breed information and advice. LaPerm cats feel as good as they look but are surprisingly low maintenance.
Maine Coon Cat breed information
Maine Coon breed information – advice about Maine Coon cats. A big cat with an even bigger personality!
Nebelung Cat breed information
Nebelung cat breed information and advice. Nebelung cats are stunning, semi-longhaired cat breed with an unusual silky.
Norwegian Forest Cat breed information
Norwegian Forest cat breed information and advice. Norwegian Forests are a delight to have around too.
Ocicat Cat breed information
Ocicat cat breed information and advice. Ocicats are a domestic breed that have been selectively bred to have the exotic breed.
Old Fashioned Siamese Cat breed information
Old Fashioned Siamese cat breed information and advice. The Old Fashioned Siamese is a much softer shape than the modern.
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Oriental Cat breed information
Orientals cat breed information and advice. Orientals are very much people cats and will definitely keep owners.
Oriental Longhair Cat breed information
Oriental Longhair cat breed and advice. Oriental longhair cats have silky, flowing coats with a long plume of a tail.
Persian Cat breed information
Persian cat breed information and advice. The Persian cat is the ultimate glamour puss and one of the most popular.
RagaMuffin Cat breed information
RagaMuffin cat breed information and advice. Ragamuffins are incredibly docile!
Ragdoll Cat breed information
Ragdoll cat breed information, advice about Ragdoll cats. Ragdolls are stunning to look at.
Russian Blue Cat breed information
Russian Blue cat guide, character, history and description of Russian Blue cats. A handsome cat with brains to match.
Selkirk Rex Cat breed information
Selkirk Rex cat breed information and advice. Selkirk Rex cats are cheery little cats with an easy-going temperament.
Siamese Cat breed information
Siamese cat breed information and advice. Siamese cats are mischievous, intelligent, loyal and loving!
Siberian Cat breed information
Siberian cat breed information and advice. Siberian cats are friendly gentleman with a winning personality!
Singapura Cat breed information
Singapura cat breed information and advice. Singapura cats have many personas packed into one petite frame!
Snowshoe Cat breed information
Snowshoe cat breed information and advice. Snowshoes are as different as pebbles on the beach.
Sokoke Cat breed information
Sokoke cat breed information and advice. Meet one of the rarest breeds of domestic cat in the world.
Somali Cat breed information
Somali cat breed information and advice. Somali cats are like miniature lions and bring a permanent smile in your life.
Sphynx Cat breed information
Sphynx cat breed information and advice. The Sphynx is a popular cat and unusual in looks.
Suffolk Chocolate Cat breed information
Suffolk Chocolate cat breed information and advice. These cats have already made their mark on cat lovers.
Read Also: Dog Breeds – Types of Dogs
Tonkinese Cat breed information
Tonkinese cat breed information and advice. Tonkinese cats have a well-documented love of being at a great height.
Toyger Cat breed information
Toyger cat breed information and advice. Ever wanted a miniature tiger in your home who will shower you with love.
Turkish Van Cat breed information
Turkish Van Cat breed information and advice. Not only does the beautiful Turkish Van breed love humans.
Turkish Vankedisi cat breed information
The Turkish Vankedisi is basically an all-white Turkish Van, with distinctive markings on the head and tail.
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