How Many Years Do Cat Live?

While there are many wonderful things about having a pet, the loss is one thing all pet owners dread. After all, the pet really becomes a part of the family. So the grief is immense for all the family when it does die. It’s especially difficult if you have kids as they can struggle to understand when the pet does lose its life. In order to conduct some preparations, it’s best for you to know how many years do cat live and what are the factors that affects their lifespan.

Therefore, when you get a pet, it’s so important that you are aware of how long the pet might live. After all, you don’t want something which might die after a year or two and then you are left dealing with the loss. But when it comes to life expectancy of a pet, a lot of people don’t know how long their beloved animal will live for.

In fact, some people go for a pet like a guinea pig or a hamster which might only live two or three years and then they live with regret. Dogs and cats are often a popular choice due to their life expectancy. But a lot of people don’t actually know their lifespan. They are left wondering how many years do cat live. And the answer is that the average cat can live around 10-20 years with the norm being around 14 years when they pass.

There have been a few in the Guinness World Record book which has made it into the 30’s, but this is very rare. However, there are a number of factors which can affect whether they have a long and happy life. Here are a few you need to know about so you have the best chance of your friendly feline lasting longer.

Outdoor or Indoor

One big factor when it comes to the age and growth of your cat to is whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat. You might be surprised to know that if your feline stays inside the house, they tend to live up to three times longer than an outside house. There are many reasons for this. For one thing, it means they aren’t near the road which is one of the most common ways a feline will die if they are an outside cat. Also, as they are inside, they are less at risk of parasites such as fleas which they can easily pick up when around other kitties.

Another reason your feline might live longer if they are an indoor cat is that they will likely have a better diet. They won’t be eating pests and other wildlife which can leave them feeling ill. Also, being an outdoor cat gives them a higher chance of getting into a fight with another cat which can leave them in a bad way.

Of course, it is worth noting that indoor cats do sometimes run into health issues such as obesity as they are not getting as much exercise as outdoor cats. And being stuck inside the house can often leave cats to being more stressed and unhappy which could perhaps lead to an early death. But it’s worth considering keeping them indoors if you do want to make sure they live a long and happy life.

What’s Their Breed?

You might be surprised to know that the breed of your cat can affect their lifespan too. In fact, if they are a mixed breed rather than a purebred cat, they tend to live a lot longer. Therefore, all that money you spent on your feline could actually be to waste after a couple of years. 

Below is a very short video that you could use for reference in identifying cat breed:

A few of the other long-lasting breeds include the Burmese, the Siamese and the Manx. These tend to last a lot longer than other breeds. Therefore, choose wisely when it comes to choosing your new kitten so that you can make sure your feline will be around for as long as possible.

Have You Got Them Spayed?

A lot of people don’t like to get their cat spayed. They think it’s cruel to stop their cat have kittens in the future. But not only will it stop your cat from getting pregnant now, it can also help make sure they don’t develop any problems when they get older. For female cats, being spayed means they have less of a chance of developing problems like breast cancer. And it can also stop issues with the ovaries and even help them avoid infections.

As for male cats, it can help protect them from problems such as testicular cancer. And if they are particularly aggressive, it can help to calm them down. Also, getting them spayed will stop them having more babies in the future. After all, this can put a lot of pressure on your cat’s heart and this can lead to further health problems. Therefore, book them in and get them sorted to make sure they live a happy life from now on.

What’s Their Diet Like?

It also all depends on what they eat when it comes to how long their live. After all, if they are having a balanced diet which is of high quality, you will find that the cat will live a lot longer. Just like us, they need to have a rich and nutritious diet full of essential minerals, nutrients and vitamins. Therefore, you need to make sure they are having a good blend of cat food, as recommended by your veterinarian, on a daily basis. Don’t just opt for a low-quality cat meal which is the cheapest on the shelf. This will not only affect your cat’s health, it could also shorten their life if it’s of low quality.

Also, you need to make sure they aren’t consuming lots of wildlife. After all, if they are eating pests such as rats or mice, they could pick up an illness which will shorten their life. And on top of this, be careful how much human food you are giving them.

While the odd piece of chicken or a mouthful of yogurt won’t hurt, if you start giving them something like chocolate, it could be toxic and even deadly. Sickness, illnesses and diseases are a major factor in decreasing the lifespan of a cat and it is always best for you to know how to take care of your sick cat.

Remember to make sure you regularly take them to the vet. After all, they can check if something is wrong and will hopefully treat them before it’s too late.