Alice White
Every pet owner loves to be with his four-legged friend and wants it to last for a long time. However, the mewing companions rarely have the well-known seven lives. How old cats get depends on a number of factors. Find out which factors contribute to life expectancy.
The existing bond between cat and owner is something special. Over time and with age, it gets tighter. Many animal lovers do not want to imagine a life without their little darling. Unfortunately, a cat’s life doesn’t last forever.
How Old Can Cats Get?
In general, a cat is really old when it is over 20 human years old. However, only a few breeds of cats can reach this old age. There are hardly any cats that live to be 25 years or older.
How old is the oldest cat in the world?
The oldest cat in the world is 38 years and three days old. It was the little “Crème Puff” from Austin, Texas. It has landed itself in the Guinness Book of Records. She was born in 1967 and died in 2005. Her age is proof of the maximum age cats can get.
In July 2020, Rubble the Maine Coon died at the age of 31. Since the beginning of 2020, he has been considered the oldest living tomcat in the world.
How Old Do Cats Get on Average?
The average life expectancy of cats is 15 years. As with humans, genes play a big role in cats’ life expectancy. The lifestyle – house cat, free-range cats, or strays – is crucial for long and healthy life. Diseases, treatments, and care all contribute to how long pets live.
This is how the old house and apartment cats get
The time span of how old domestic cats get ranges from the average age of 15 to 20 years.
The life expectancy of outdoor enthusiasts
On average, cats that have been outdoors living three to five years less. However, life expectancy is not uniform for outdoor enthusiasts. Basically, these cats live in an apartment or house but have the opportunity to go on a foray.
How old do pure street cats or stray cats get?
Pure strays live on average only 6 to 8 years old. However, they often do not exceed the age of four. This is because they are exposed to numerous dangers.
Convert Cat Years to Human Years
The aging process of our cats is much faster than that of us humans. There is no simple, magical formula for converting a cat’s age to human years. The general rule:
- 3 months old = 1 human year
- 4 months old = 4 human years
- 6 months old = 12 human years
- 1st cat year = 15 human years
- 2nd cat year: + 6 human years = 21
- 3rd cat year: + 6 human years = 27
- 4th cat year: + 4 human years = 31
- 5th cat year: + 4 human years = 35
- 6th cat year: + 4 human years = 39
- 7th cat year: + 4 human years = 43
- 8th cat year: + 4 human years = 47
- 9th cat year: + 4 human years = 51
- 10th cat year: + 4 human years = 55
- 11th cat year: + 4 human years = 59
- 12th cat year: + 4 human years = 63
- 13th cat year: + 4 human years = 67
- 14th cat year: + 4 human years = 71
- 15th cat year: + 4 human years = 75
- 16th cat year: + 4 human years = 79
- 17th cat year: + 4 human years = 83
- 18th cat year: + 4 human years = 87
- 19th cat year: + 4 human years = 91
- 20th cat year: + 4 human years = 95
As a cat gets older, this is mainly reflected in the decline in sensory performance such as seeing and hearing. In addition, the muscle mass decreases, and thus the strength of the cat senior. A typical aging disease in cats is dementia.
Life Expectancy Varies by Cat Breed
The age a cat can reach depends in part on its breed. The following cat breeds live the longest on average.
Long-lived cat breeds
- Balinese: 15-20 years
- EKH: 15-22 years
- Siamese cats: 15-20 years
- Ragdoll: 12-17 years (12-15)
- Persian cats: 10-17 years (12-15)
- Norwegian Forest Cat: 14-16 years
- Bengal: 12-16 years (10-16)
- Maine Coon: 12-15 years (11-13)
- British Shorthair: 12-14 Years (14-18)
- Somali cat: 10-12 years (13-15)
How old do British Shorthair cats get?
The British Shorthair cat is very popular because its fur makes it look like a teddy bear. Owners of this relatively frequently bred breed are also wondering how old British Shorthair cats get. Their life expectancy is quite high. In a healthy state, the British Shorthair cat is able to live up to 18 years.
How old do Birman cats get?
The life expectancy of the Birman cat is 12 to 15 years.
How old do Maine Coon cats get?
The popular Maine Coon cat has an average life expectancy of 11 to 13 years.
How old do Bengal cats get?
Bengal cats live on average between 10 and 16 years.
How old do Persians get?
When asked how old do Persian cats get, the answer is 12 to 17 years as a purely indoor cat. Strays and free-roaming animals of this breed live around three to five years less. Genetic diseases in particular contribute to the fact that life expectancy drops drastically. These can be the result of overbreeding or mixed genes in the mother and father animals.
How old do Siamese cats get?
Siamese cats are among those breeds that have a fairly high life expectancy. If you are wondering how old Siamese cats actually get, let me tell you that they live to be 15 years old on average. But there are also animals that get significantly older and reach their 20th year healthy and happy.
How old is the European Shorthair?
The answer to the question of how old are European Shorthair cats is up to 20 years old. This popular breed is known for its robust health. In general, the question of how old cats get on average can be answered with 15 years. Cats very rarely live to be 25 years old.
What Factors Affect the Life Expectancy of Cats?
The following factors apply to domestic cats, free spirits, or strays:
- The parent’s genes affect how old cats get.
- The living space determines the age.
- Diseases, bacteria, and viruses all contribute to reducing life expectancy.
- Diet and grooming are two important factors that affect the health of pets.
Strays that do not receive medical treatment die earlier than domestic cats. However, there is a difference in how old cats get at home. Outdoor cats who live indoors and roam outside are exposed to potential hazards. Fights with rivals and exposure to pathogens shorten life. Whereas the answer to the question “How old do cats get as house cats?” Turns out to be a significantly higher life expectancy.
Lower Life Expectancy for Cats in Diseases
As with us humans, a serious (chronic illness) usually has a negative impact on life expectancy. This applies to many common feline diseases such as
- asthma
- diabetes
- renal failure
- hyperthyroidism
- inflammation of the pancreas
- etc.
However, if diseases are recognized early enough, such as cancer, and treated in good time, the lifespan is only slightly changed. If sick cats are neglected or if they are not properly treated, the life expectancy will be greatly reduced. In certain cases, euthanasia can no longer be averted.
How Old Do Cats Get Depending on Their Lifestyle?
If you are wondering how old cats get at home, you have to differentiate: There are animals that only live inside the apartment and kitties who prefer to wander at night. The answer, therefore, depends on how long cats live at home and whether they leave the house regularly.
Do neutered cats live longer?
Castration is recommended for cat owners in order to save cats and hangovers a lot of stress. For the moaning four-legged friend, stress is a potential health hazard, just as it is for humans. Neutered cats have a life expectancy that is twice as long as uncastrated cats.
Affect Longer Life Expectancy in Cats
As a pet owner, you can have a positive impact on animal health with the best possible care. The following measures are helpful:
- Regular visits to the doctor with all-important vaccinations ensure a long cat life.
- A cat-safe home without any sources of danger such as poisonous plants helps the domestic cat to age in peace.
- Good, compatible and high-quality food has a positive effect on the health of the pet.
- Active play keeps the kitty fit in the long run.
