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Original poster

How long do cats live for?

77 replies

jt56 · 28/01/2021 13:40

How long do cats live for?

OP posts:
Original poster
jt56 · 28/01/2021 18:22

I really appreciate all the responses here to my question. It is hard to come to terms with the loss of a beloved pet. But there is some consolation in knowing she lived a reasonably long life. It would have been lovely to have had more years, but I am truly grateful for the 16 we had with her. She was the most loving and adorable person.

How long do cats live for?
OP posts:
InTheCludgie · 28/01/2021 18:23

Jt56 Flowers

Juanbablo · 28/01/2021 18:23

Mine is 13 and in good health.

Interested in this thread?

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Cats
EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/01/2021 18:25

I'm so sorry OP but your cat sounds as though she was very well loved.

One of our cats died aged 5 from a horrible kidney disease. The vet couldn't do anything to save him and we were devastated.

His twin sister developed a heart issue when she was 8 and had a massive heart attack when she was 10. We managed to get her to the vet but there was nothing to be done and they said the best thing was for her to be pts.

We had another cat who we had taken in as a stray, so we weren't quite sure of his age but the vet thought he was fairly young when we got him, maybe about 18 months. He had a digestive issue which was treated with medication but after about 5 years the medication stopped working and he died. That was 6 weeks before our cat with the heart problem died. We were devastated because, although they were both ill, we didn't expect them to die.

Prior to those 3, we had two cats that lived to 17 and 19 respectively but neither of them had a great quality of life in their last year.

We have currently got two cats who we are hoping will live into old age, and a puppy who will hopefully live until 13/14.

But one of the harsh realities of owning pets is that you will outlive them. All we can do as owners is ensure they have the best life when they are with us.
Flowers

InTheCludgie · 28/01/2021 18:28

Our last cat died at 12 from kidney disease, she lost weight which we didn't notice until too late, felt guilt over it for ages. She was a rescue who had a hard life until she came to us at 4 years old, but she had many happy years with us which I'm grateful for.

Our cat is almost 9, I inherited him almost 2 years ago when my DF passed away. He was a stray before my DF took him in and is very street wise, so hoping for many more happy years with him too

Thecatisboss · 28/01/2021 18:32

Sorry for your loss.

I think 16 is about average to lose a cat - our cat will be 20 in March and is still moving, she is deaf and has kidney failure but loves pottering around.

Original poster
jt56 · 28/01/2021 18:33

I am new to Mumsnet, so haven't worked it all out yet. I can't work out how to respond to posts people make. So apologies for this.

OP posts:
TomorrowIsAnotherDae · 28/01/2021 18:44

Oh @jt56, I’m so sorry your cat died, it must be very raw for you x My boy is 9 so I am hoping for another few years with him, but when he goes I know I will be devastated 💐

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 28/01/2021 18:47

My cat is 20 but she has had a lot of expensive veterinary treatment. My other 8 cats died between 14 and 19.

maddiemookins16mum · 28/01/2021 18:51

@jt56

I really appreciate all the responses here to my question. It is hard to come to terms with the loss of a beloved pet. But there is some consolation in knowing she lived a reasonably long life. It would have been lovely to have had more years, but I am truly grateful for the 16 we had with her. She was the most loving and adorable person.
What a lovely girl, how lucky was she to be so, so adored by you.
Roselilly36 · 28/01/2021 19:06

Our last Cat was 18 when he was PTS.

HarrietOh · 28/01/2021 19:23

Just lost my cat after Christmas, she was 20. She had been deaf for a while and had kidney disease but still quite happily pottered about.

Darklane · 28/01/2021 19:26

My last one reached 21

SunbathingDragon · 28/01/2021 19:30

@jt56

My cat died aged 16 yesterday. Everything went wrong at the end, she got meningitis, missed by me initially then misdiagnosed by the vet until it was too late.I feel terrible guilt as I loved her so much. so many years were lost that she couyld have lived.
I’m so sorry. Flowers Don’t blame yourself. I’m a paramedic and I don’t think I would pick up on meningitis in a cat.

I’ve had lots of cats and I think 16 is a good age. I’ve had older cats and they have shown lots of signs of dementia which is a horrific illness in human or animal. I’ve also had many much younger cats who haven’t lived as long as 16, usually due to cancer or kidney failure.

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2021 20:06

I'm so sorry your cat died.

I've read 4 years is the average for a cat, due to traffic accidents.

Mine lived until nearly 18 and nearly 19. We kept the nearly 18yo alive longer than it was probably kind.

AfterSchoolWorry · 28/01/2021 20:09

I'm so sorry OP.

She looks like a sweet girl. Flowers

Livvygator · 28/01/2021 20:14

We had 3 moggies rescued from a rescue centre. One died at 15, then another age 16 and we have one left alive and very happy and will be 17 soon...... Devastating when they go :(

YesItsMeIDontCare · 28/01/2021 20:15

@jt56 - I'm sorry you lost your girl. 💐

But please remember that longevity isn't everything. Your puss has clearly enjoyed a full life and has been utterly adored, and that matters far more.

Have a look at the poem Rainbow Bridge 😊.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 28/01/2021 20:19

All the cats we've had (including ones we had when I was a child) lived for between 12-14yrs.

16yrs is a great age for a cat 💐

I'm not expecting our current cat to make old age sadly as she has a few health problems and is on long term steroids 🙁

Hovverry · 28/01/2021 20:23

An awful lot of young cats get killed by cars. If they survive their first 18 months they usually live to 13 to 15. A very few live up to 20 and beyond.
These statistics from a knowledgeable friend.

CatChant · 28/01/2021 20:33

What a pretty cat she was, OP. I hope knowing you gave her a lovely, and I think, long life is a comfort.

Of the cats who've been in my life from kittens one died at 18 months (run over), one at nine years (auto-immune disorder), one at 12 years (cancer) and one at 14 years (kidney failure). The other two we got as adults so I can't be sure but I'd guess they were around 14 - 16 when they succumbed to kidney failure.

So, to me, 16 is a good innings. But it's always hard to lose them. Flowers

fucknuckle · 28/01/2021 20:33

my sister’s cat just turned 20 and isn’t remotely slowing down. i have an old lady who lives with my ex - she’ll be 15 in july and she’s a bit creaky, but seems very happy.

i have a rescue boy who is indoor (missed his socialisation window due to abuse, doesn’t have the desire or the smarts to go outside) who’ll be 4 next month. i hope he has a long and happy life - he had a terrible start but the RSPCA sorted out his problems and he’s a happy, healthy, irritating loon.

sorry for your loss, OP. cats really do get hold of our hearts. i hope you’re doing ok.

73kittycat73 · 28/01/2021 20:43

@jt56

I really appreciate all the responses here to my question. It is hard to come to terms with the loss of a beloved pet. But there is some consolation in knowing she lived a reasonably long life. It would have been lovely to have had more years, but I am truly grateful for the 16 we had with her. She was the most loving and adorable person.
Aww, what a beautiful cat. I'm so sorry for your loss. Flowers
Animum2 · 28/01/2021 20:47

My Mollie was 19 when she passed away

Tier10 · 28/01/2021 21:32

So sorry for you loss OP x

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