Average Lifespan Of A Cat
Introduction
I love cats because they are typically very independent and do not need to be walked or fed at specific times. But before I got my cat I wondered how long do cats live? As it turns out, the answer is fairly simple yet a little more complicated than you might expect. In this article, we’ll explore the average lifespan of an indoor versus outdoor cat, the various factors that affect a cats life expectancy and what we can do to make our feline friends live as long and happy lives as possible!
The average lifespan of cats is very variable and depends on a lot of factors.
The average lifespan of cats is very variable and depends on a lot of factors. Cats live a long time, but not as long as dogs. The average lifespan for a cat is approximately 12–15 years, although some individuals have been reported to have reached 19 years of age or older.
The average lifespan of a cat, however, is much less than that of its feline counterpart: the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus). The natural range for the species is about 20–25 years with an exception in captivity. According to one study done by the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition at Harlow, Essex (UK), most domestic cats do not make it past their third birthday; only 30% survive past their fourth birthday; and there are only 10% that make it past their seventh birthday. This study was based on data collected from over 1 million cats between 1987 and 2007.[1]
There are many factors that affect how long a cat lives.
There are many factors that affect how long a cat lives. The age of the cat, breed, diet, neutering and spaying, indoor vs outdoor can all affect how long your pet will live.
The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 years but this can vary depending on their genetics and other factors such as their health, location and living conditions. Outdoors there are more risks for cats including: predators such as coyotes or birds of prey; injuries from fights with other animals or cars; diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) which causes immune deficiency in cats causing them to become vulnerable to infections that may be fatal if not treated early enough.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has found that:
If you’re looking to find out the average lifespan of a cat, you can rest easy knowing that it’s not only possible for them to reach old age, but it’s also quite common. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has found that:
- The average lifespan of cats is very variable. While some cats live long lives and are still in good health at nearly 20 years old, others may pass away from illness or injury within their first year.
- Most healthy cats live between 12 and 15 years on average. Some even go beyond this number and make it into their twenties!
- Many cats live longer than 15 years if given proper care throughout their lives; however, your pet may become ill before reaching this point because they’re living so long. If your cat has been diagnosed with cancer or other diseases related to aging (such as heart problems), he may pass away before reaching his full potential life expectancy due to these conditions being harder on older felines than younger ones
Subsection: Neutered male cats live, on average, 62 percent longer than unneutered male cats.
Neutered male cats live, on average, 62 percent longer than unneutered male cats. This is a fairly significant difference and may be worth considering if you’re considering having your cat neutered. While it’s not as drastic as the increase in lifespan that female cats see after being spayed (87 percent), it’s still a substantial increase in lifespan for your kitty, who probably won’t notice the difference anyway since they sleep most of their lives anyway!
Neutering your cat isn’t just good for their health—it also can help them avoid unwanted mating behaviors and prevent certain diseases from spreading to other animals in your home or neighborhood.
In addition to female cats living about 22 years longer than males who aren’t spayed/neutered (as opposed to 13 years without surgical intervention), here are some additional differences between genders:
Subsection: Spayed female cats live, on average, 39 percent longer than unspayed female cats.
Spaying your female cat before her first heat will also significantly reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections, mammary cancer, and ovarian cancer. In fact, spayed female cats live on average 39 percent longer than their unspayed counterparts. This is because these diseases are largely prevented by neutering.
Subsection: Spaying reduces the risks of disease and death
Subsection: Outdoor cats live about half as long as indoor cats.
Outdoor cats live about half as long as indoor cats.
This is because they are exposed to more dangers and diseases, parasites, predators, cars and people.
According to the same study taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association there are other factors that can influence cat life span. In addition to being spayed or neutered and living indoors or outdoors these include breed, size and diet.
According to the same study taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association there are other factors that can influence cat life span. In addition to being spayed or neutered and living indoors or outdoors these include breed, size and diet.
Breed: There are several factors that lead to an increased lifespan in different breeds of cats. This includes their size, activity level, health and quality of life. Some also claim that certain breeds simply have more energy than others which could be another explanation for their longevity.
Size: A larger cat tends to live longer than a smaller one due in part to their decreased risk of disease-causing illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes which often accompany obesity among humans who are overweight as well as animals with excess weight around their midsection area.”
Cats can live a long time if they get regular vet care and are indoors.
Cats can live a long time if they get regular vet care, are indoors and spayed or neutered.
If you want your cat to live a longer life, take care of it by making sure it gets regular vet visits, is kept indoors and receives regular exercise along with a balanced diet.
Conclusion
As you can see, the answer to this question is complicated. But one thing is clear: there are many factors that affect how long a cat lives. So keep your cat healthy with regular vet visits and provide it with nutritious food, exercise and lots of love.