How long do cats live at home - life expectancy of yard, purebred, sterilized animals

What will you learn from the article?

1. Average life expectancy of cats What determines the life expectancy of a cat

Cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. These are our faithful companions who brighten up loneliness and give joy. Unfortunately, cats cannot live as long as humans live. But I want this union to last as long as possible.

How long do domestic cats and their indoor relatives live? What affects life expectancy? Which cat breeds live longer than others? How to extend the life of a cat? What will help you survive the death of a cat? We have prepared answers to all these questions in this article.

Average lifespan of cats

The average lifespan of a domestic cat is 9 -17 years.

But there are cats that significantly exceed this threshold.

What determines the lifespan of a cat?

1. Lifestyle (home, street, self-walking).
2. Health status (genetic pathologies, timely/untimely detection of diseases and their treatment).
3. Diet (feed quality, regularity).
4. Breed. There are long-lived breeds.
5. Floor. Cats live longer than cats.
6. Controlled/uncontrolled pregnancy (planned matings, castration, sterilization).
7. Weight (obesity, wasting).
8. Level of physical activity.

The maximum lifespan of a cat is 22-30 years. But there are long-lived cats who have lived longer than this period.

Why do indoor cats live longer than street cats?

Living indoors is safer and more comfortable. Animals whose owners do not practice self-walking have the longest life expectancy.

Pets that are kept indoors are protected from many dangers. This extends their lifespan.

Disadvantages of street life:

• risk of road accidents, injuries;
• meeting aggressive and larger animals;
• poor food and water, malnutrition, hunger;
• competitive struggle for existence, constant stress;
• meeting with inappropriate people;
• weather discomfort (cold, heat, dampness);
• uncontrolled pregnancies, complications during childbirth;
• the risk of contracting viral and bacterial infections, parasitic diseases;
• weakened immune system;
• exposure to toxic substances;
• lack of health control and veterinary care.

Pros of home life:

• comfortable living conditions (warm, dry);
• constant access to clean water;
• high-quality regular nutrition;
• regular veterinary care;
• lack of struggle for survival;
• pregnancy control.

The longevity of domestic cats depends on:

• presence/absence of genetic pathologies;
• belonging to a certain breed;
• type of nutrition and feed quality;
• level of physical activity;
• gender;
• protection from dangers;
• regulation of sexual desire and control of pregnancy.

The average life expectancy of cats is higher than that of cats.

How long do castrated cats live?

Neutered cats at home live longer than their uncastrated relatives. This is an important argument that should convince opponents of this procedure. Life expectancy after castration increases by 1.5-3 years.

The average life expectancy of a domestic neutered cat is 16 -18 years.

Why neutered cats live longer:

1. Calmer and more balanced.
2. They don't run away from home.
3. There is no risk of injury in fights for the female.
4. There is no risk of infection through sexual contact.
5. The risk of cancer is reduced.

How long do sterilized cats live?

The average life expectancy of sterilized cats is 15 – 17 years.

Sterilization surgery extends the life of a cat. Unsterilized street animals rarely survive beyond 5 years of age. Their health and life expectancy are negatively affected by uncontrolled mating and constant pregnancies.

The life of domestic cats also depends on sterilization. Neutered cats are much calmer and less likely to be stressed. Their body is not worn out by bearing offspring and feeding. After sterilization surgery, the likelihood of cancer is reduced, and the risk of contracting diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse disappears.

High-quality balanced nutrition, adequate physical activity, and regular monitoring of the pet’s well-being increase the cat’s life expectancy.

Factors influencing health and longevity

According to experts, the quality of life of an animal directly affects its duration.

1. Genetic properties of the breed. All breeding groups are divided into 3 categories - long-lived (maximum age 15 years or more), medium-lived (10-15 years) and the lowest level (less than 10 years). How long street cats live depends on the circumstances - among homeless animals there are also long-livers.
2. Conditions of detention. The reasons for the reduction in life expectancy of cats may be an unsatisfactory living environment, for example, when the animal does not receive the necessary veterinary care.
3. Nutrition. A high-quality diet and properly selected mineral and vitamin components can add a couple of active years to the life of domestic cats.
4. Disease prevention. Each breed has a predisposition to certain ailments, and almost all cats also have heart and kidney problems. When neglected, these diagnoses are no longer curable and become chronic. Even young animals are not able to constantly cope with the resulting load and painful sensations. Such cats do not live long.
5. Emotional background. The most subjective indicator, but many owners believe that life expectancy is influenced by the attitude of owners and family members, friendship with other four-legged pets, degree of training, general games and walks.

This is interesting! Among wild cat hybrids that live in enclosures, there are no long-livers.

Average life expectancy depending on breed

Some cats leave their owners at the age of 8 years, others can delight with their presence for more than 20 years.

With good care and the absence of congenital pathologies, cats of certain breeds can live this long:

Stages of a cat's life cycle

The life of any cat can be divided into several stages.

Infancy (from birth to six months)

The first six months of a baby’s life are the most significant and eventful. Ten days after birth, these are blind sucklings, whose whole world is concentrated in the warmth of the mother’s body and the nipple with milk.

By two months, kittens become quite independent, begin to feed on their own, and learn to use a litter box.

Until three or four months, the pets usually do not leave the nursery and the mother. From four to six, they resemble playful children on the cusp of adolescence.

Youth (from six months to two years)

In almost all breeds, by six months the kitten is at the beginning of puberty. Physically, he is already quite developed, almost independent.

Usually at one year the female is already able to give birth and feed kittens, although it is better if pregnancy occurs a little later, at least at 18 months. Cats mature more slowly - up to one and a half years, and in some breeds up to two or three years.

Youth (three to six years old)

Animals are considered conditionally young when they are between two and six years old. This age approximately corresponds to 20-40 years of a person. It is at the age of six that it is customary in nurseries to remove an animal from breeding.

But with good care, pets are active, healthy and capable of producing full-fledged offspring for much longer - at least up to seven to ten years.

Maturity (seven to ten years)

A cat from seven to ten years old is considered a mature individual. About the same as a person aged 40-55 years old. The animal is in the prime of life, behaves calmly and reservedly.

Older cats (eleven to fourteen years old)

From 11 to 14 years old, the cat is in old age, corresponding to human 55-70 years. If the pet does not suffer from any chronic diseases, then neither he nor the owner will have any special problems in life. Sleep time increases, whims in choosing food may appear, and there is no particular desire for outdoor games.

Old age (over fifteen years)

Pets over 15 years old can be considered 80 year olds. They are calm, unhurried, affectionate, need the attention and care of their owner, and express their devotion more clearly.

This division into age groups is very arbitrary. Many animals at 15 years old are still vigorous, playful and active. There is a known cat of the Nibelung breed that lived 36 years. She gave birth to and nursed her last kittens at 28. By the way, read about long-lived cats on our portal.

Long-lived cat breeds

To ensure that your cat pleases you with its presence for as long as possible, choose a pet that belongs to one of the long-lived breeds.

TOP 10 long-lived cats:

1. European Shorthair – 15-22.
2. American Shorthair – 15-20.
3. Australian smoky - 14-19.
4. Norwegian Forest – 12-18.
5. Turkish Angora – 12-18.
6. Himalayan cat – 15-17.
7. British Shorthair – 12-17.
8. Ragdoll – 12-17.
9. Turkish van – 12-17.
10. Savannah – 12-17.

How to extend a cat's life

To give your cat a long and happy life next to you, follow these simple rules.

High-quality balanced nutrition

• Choose food of at least premium class with a high protein content.
• Cats are predators. They need meat.
• Limit the content of carbohydrates and lactose in your cat's diet; adult animals do not digest them well.
• Make sure your cat's diet contains all the necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
• Eliminate foods from the diet that should not be given to cats.
• Follow a special therapeutic diet if your veterinarian has prescribed it for your cat.
• Monitor not only the quality of food, but also the size of portions. Don't go hungry, don't overfeed.
• Provide 24/7 access to clean water.

What not to give to cats:

• fatty meat (pork), smoked meats, canned food;
• milk – due to lactose intolerance;
• tubular bones - can injure the stomach and intestines;
• boiled potatoes - starch is not absorbed;
• legumes (beans, peas) – cause flatulence;
• river fish – causes vitamin deficiency, increases the risk of urolithiasis;
• dog food – lack of vitamins and microelements;
• liver – disturbance of intestinal motility.

Read: What you should not feed your cat.

Pet health and condition

• Don't skip routine checkups with your veterinarian.
• Follow your vaccination schedule strictly.
• Follow all doctor's orders.
• Regularly carry out antiparasitic treatment against internal and external parasites.
• Be attentive to your pets, contact your veterinarian if there are any changes in the cat’s behavior or condition.

Sufficient physical activity

• Play with your pet regularly.
• Make sure your cat has toys and play equipment.
• Walk on a leash or harness.

Hygienic norms and rules

• Regularly care for your cat's teeth, ears, and claws.
• Brush your pet and bathe if necessary.
• Keep your pet's bowls, tray, bed, and habitat clean.

Regulation of sexual desire and pregnancy

• Avoid accidental matings.
• Spay/neuter the animal if you do not plan to have offspring.

Comfortable living conditions

• Organize a comfortable bed (house).
• Avoid drafts in the animal's habitat.
• Monitor the temperature. Avoid dampness, cold and excessive heat in the premises where the cat is kept.

Safety

• Avoid self-walking.
• Keep toxic substances, household chemicals, poisons, and chemicals out of reach of the animal.
• Keep the trash can closed to prevent your cat from getting into it.
• Keep windows and balcony doors closed. Install anti-cat bars.
• Avoid poisonous houseplants.
• Make sure that the animal does not fall from a height.

Your love, attention and care are the best means of extending a cat’s life.

Need for veterinary care

Various types of diseases not only shorten life span, but also reduce its quality. If you notice symptoms such as lack of appetite, weakness, or discharge from the eyes, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Any disease takes away strength and energy. Timely measures taken sometimes save a pet’s life, so it is necessary:

1. Carry out preventive examinations regularly. Early detection of pathology will help eliminate it in the initial stage, which will increase the chances of recovery. The quality of examinations depends on how equipped the clinic is with diagnostic equipment: ultrasound scanners, biochemical analyzers, electrocardiographs. Therefore, it is better to take the animal to a clinic where the necessary equipment is available.
2. Vaccinate your pet. Annual vaccination will help prevent serious and fatal diseases. Some breeders think that vaccinations are not necessary for stay-at-home cats who do not have contact with other animals. But doctors do not agree with this position, because it is impossible to foresee negative situations in the future: owners can bring in pathogenic bacteria from the street on clothes, shoes, infection can occur in a veterinary clinic, and an encounter with sick rodents is possible.
3. Correct treatment. The recovery of your pet largely depends on the professionalism and conscientiousness of the doctor. Doctor's negligence and incorrect choice of treatment regimen lead to complications. Diseases are not completely cured and return, acquiring a chronic form, which significantly depletes the body and shortens the life span.

Sometimes it is worth contacting a cat doctor without a specific reason. The owner will be able to prolong the life of his pet only if he creates favorable living conditions and closely monitors his health. An animal that receives balanced food, is surrounded by care and love, has a good chance of becoming a long-liver among its fellows.

How to survive the death of a cat

Losing a pet at any age is a difficult loss. But sooner or later this happens to all animals. When the time comes to say goodbye to your cat, life can suddenly feel very empty.

Don't blame yourself, but don't hold back your feelings if you want to be sad and cry. This is a normal psychological reaction to the loss of a full family member, friend, companion.

Put away all the things of the deceased animal, the remaining food, litter for the tray, or better yet, take them to the shelter. Take a closer look at the shelter's inhabitants. Perhaps you can give your love to another animal

If your heart is not yet ready to open to another cat, donate as much as you can to a charity or animal shelter.

Read how to find and adopt a kitten at a shelter.