How long do our cats live?

[worrisomeasset]

I think this is a most interesting infographic from the Royal Veterinary College. It says that the average lifespan of a ‘crossbreed’ (I assume they mean any non-pedigree moggy here) is 14 years while pedigrees live an average of 12.5 years. The difference is more stark with some breeds - Ragdolls have an average lifespan of 10.1 years while Bengals last on average a mere 7.3 years.

It’s possible, I think, that the situation for pedigrees is worse than these stats suggest. If we assume that most moggies are allowed outside while most pedigrees are indoor cats, then pedigrees are far less likely to die from traffic accidents. Despite their reduced risk of serious accidents, pedigrees still lead shorter lives.

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/media/default/vetcompass/infograms/150515%20how%20long%20do%20cats%20live%20-%20june2015.pdf

Inbreeding isn't good for any mammal species.

Our previous moggies lived to 22 and 24 despite being raised on truly shitty cat food (before we got them), moving house repeatedly, a flea allergy for our old scrote of a male, and playing out around roads. We're hoping our 5 year old current moggies last as long.

Lack of pedigree inbreeding was the key factor in buying moggies. My DD was desperate for a rag doll for a therapy pet (ASD and extreme anxiety) but we agreed it's not fair to contribute to breeding animals with a shortened lifespan and poorer quality of life. Plus they get stolen round here.

We've always had cats as pets. All moggies. Most of them lived until about 13/14 without any health problems until the end.
Unfortunately the ones that died young were due to traffic accidents rather than illness.

My cats have all lived long and happy lives, very spoiled and much loved indoor cats. Only one ever got to go outdoors once we moved to a safer home, she enjoyed it for a few years until she was about 20.

They've lived til 24, 19, 23 and current kitty is just a baby at 14. Just had her annual check and vet said she looks like a 2-year old according to her blood work.

Wish I was in such good shape!

Our family cat lived until he was 19 as an outdoor cat. One of our current cats died age 4 due to being run over. We currently have another 4 year old cat and a 1 year old, I would be delighted if they could see 12-14 years old

We had a farm cat who passed away suddenly aged six. Our current trio are 8, 4 and 1.

I also pet-sit for a living and the oldest cat I cared for died aged 20 and his sister was 18 when she went, so pretty impressive.

Tortie moggy - runt of the litter and a skinny little thing who was sick at least three times a week - 17

Moggie/BSH Cross- a plush and magnificent boy. He was huge- 7.5k but long and tall too. At 14 he just dropped dead and we found him by the cat flap. A week before the vet said he was fit and well at his check up

Two moggy girls - 3 in July.

My oldest moggy was John Henry. He lived with us as well as any other neighbour who would let him in. And a very outdoors boy.

He was at least 23 when we had him PTS.

He was the the most handsome boy with almond shaped eyes and I loved him.

My others average 12 to 14 yrs

Our Lucy was 24, she passed 9 years ago, we still miss her.

Both of mine got to around 16.

We don't know exactly how old they were as both were adopted as adults

My tortoiseshell is 18.
The other short haired cat is 7.

I think they are on the low side too. My bengal lived until 17, my two siamese cats and my Birman made it to the same age.

My current rescue persian is 12 and is still like a kitten so fingers crossed she makes it to a similar age.

Our last cat was 18, he was a moggy, and fairly feral, lived most of his life outdoors until he got old then would be content indoors overnight. Our vet always called him a “proper cat” they knew they had a battle on their hands when we had to take him in. Vet said cats like him make good ages, it’s the indoor cats that tend to have shorter life expectancy in her experience, which I found quite surprising

My weegie is 17 in May and still going strong. She is like Benjamin Button.

my late mil moggy who now lives with us is still super black just a bit of a grey frosty chin she is 23 years old no sign of her slowing down

There are lies, damn lies and statistics this is a classic example. These are average life spans as a vet you become aware that a significant number of moggies sadly get killed on the road a relatively young cats dropping the average lifespan, but what you see in clinic is that if they live to be 4 years old they are highly likely to live to be 18 years old.
Bengals take part in incredibly risky behaviour and are awful patients not tolerating veterinary care well hence their lower lifespan.
Ragdolls heart disease, polycystic kidney disease are their issues.
Maine Coons hip dysplasia.
Sphinx's don't even get me started.
But if your cat lives to be about 10 years old regardless of breed it has a really good chance of getting to 16 or 18 as we are really, really good at managing the chronic health conditions of older cats, but this is where good insurance is really valuable as good management involves drugs and blood tests to monitor things.
26 years ago when I arrived in practice in general a cat over 12 years of age was an unusual thing now 18 year olds is really normal. We have many more treatments and a massive increase in knowledge.

My girl is turning 18 in November. She's getting more and more grey mixed in with the black, and she's definitely got a little deaf. She's still pretty sprightly though and well groomed herself.

She's always had access to outside.

My pure breed bengal is 22! Sleeps more than 5 years ago but still very active, eats well and happy. Never had any treatments or needed vet care except when a wasp was eaten about ten years ago…

These are averages. Plenty of British Shorthairs will live years longer than those stated ages. Good luck!

Ive had 7 cats, the youngest to die was 15. I’ve had one (Bob) who lived until 22, one at 18 and the rest 15-16, apart from poor Lionel who was knocked down at 1.

I wonder if there’s been much research on the possible negative consequences of keeping cats indoors? I heard a vet on the ‘Cat Got Your Tongue?’ podcast say that indoor cats were more likely to be overweight, which definitely has a negative effect on cat life expectancy.

Current overlord is 18 (British short-hair according to the rescue where we got him), previous moggies were 22 and 24 when they died. All outdoor cats although after the age of 16 tended to inly really go out into our back garden. Current cat is following the same pattern....

My old girl is currently 19. She has recently gone blind and has started having some minor health issues. I’m not sure she will reach 20.

I had a pedigree Persian get to 16 before kidney failure. And a moggy to 17 before she succumbed to cancer.

Not long enough, would be my answer to that question.

I am currently nursing my beautiful girl through cancer. She will be 16 at the beginning of March (I don't think she'll make her birthday 😪) She's mainly been an indoor cat, with little trips into the garden to sunbathe.

She has been the healthiest girl until 6 weeks ago when she went off her food, bloods were done and came back perfect, but told she has 2 poorly teeth, dental was booked, but before the op she developed a limp, shockingly she has an aggressive cancer that cannot be treated, and I'm about to lose her, which is heart breaking.

My mom's cat died last year at 16.5.

My family cat (female, mainly outdoors) lived to be 26. She was lovely but quite scraggy at the end. She had a great life. She'd be around the house in the winter but come spring and all through the summer she'd wander off doing her own thing for weeks on end before returning. What a life!