How long do non pure bred cats normally live

[elliejjtiny]

Just wondering as Ds1 is worried and i wanted to reassure him.

We have 2 british short hair boy cats without health issues, both are 9 years old.

Ds1 is at university and he is worried the cats will die of old age while he is away. Can i reassure him that the cats still have a good few years left? I vaguely remember someone telling me that cats live about 10 years but I think that might be pure bred cats and moggies live longer.

Longest lived rescue mog was 21. Others have been 20, 19 ish.
No special diet/treatment or anything.
Pretty much left to their own devices.

Not many teeth left, though!

My cats lived to 17 and 18. Current two are 11 are still going strong! Bar accidents they should live a fair while yet.

My moggies have ranged from 13 (but he got a specific illness) to 20. I’m pretty sure the average is 15+

Other than those killed on the road, the survivors lived to late teens, early twenties. All outdoor fit and healthy "farm" cats with no health issues or regular visits to vets. All very non problematic.

One of our moggies lived to 18, never had an illness until her final week of life when her heart finally started to give out, amazing cat. Moggies are definitely more robust than pedigree breeds, we've also owned Maine Coons and although we love them they are very much not a sturdy breed where illness is concerned!

My moggy was 21 when she died.

Mine were 20 and 22; both had been taking meds for thyroid and having regular checks since about 15 so they probably would have died sooner if I wasn't so diligent.

I think 15 is probably the equivalent of about 80 I humans - a decent innings but not an exceptional one.

You say "British Shorthair" - that is a purebred. They will probably not live as long. Do you mean a moggie? (equivalent to a mongrel for dogs)

Currently catless, ours having died over the last year at ages 15 and 16. Both during DD’s uni years, but both while she was at home. Although the second one, who died very suddenly, managed to do while I was home alone with him, little sod 😢 (as in - DD was home from uni but had gone out)

My current cat is about 16 and still going strong. My last one got ill and was PTS aged about 8.

My childhood cat lasted until 21.

I used to foster and the oldest foster cat was 19 when she was rehomed.

our Minky lovely girl 22 years old just fetched her ashes home now

Oldest Mog I’ve had got to 23
Late teens is quite common

Eek. I didn't even think about this. Mine is a rescue but was bred - think was surrendered to a Cat rescue because they didn't want to pay for the cost of treatment. He's absolutely wonderful. Yes, he has long term issues and does cost a lot plus insurance but we give each other so much love and joy. I don't want to think about that day on the horizon. I came to accept BastardCat's death as a blessing - because I didn't have to make a decision. He dropped dead at 8; whilst twirling around his favourite human - MrC's ankles looking forward to his breakfast. He was perfectly healthy, according to the last check but he left, at least with us and knowing he was loved.

unlikely to die of old age. More likely to get hit by a car. Totally depends on the cat though. The ones that live to 20 years are usually pretty street smart.

17-22 years

We had one who liked to sunbathe in the road in summer and ignored the cars who beeped at her! I remember running outside to shoo her away. Amazingly, she was never hit by a car and died from cancer aged 16.

My oldest cat got to 23.

Sadly cats do not live very long.