The average life expectancy for male indoor cats in captivity is about 12 to 14 years, with females usually living a year or two longer.
There have been some reports of cats reaching into their 20s and even 30s, however, with the oldest known cat, Creme Puff, living to a ripe old age of 38.
Having a cat neutered or spayed has some health benefits, since castrated males cannot develop testicular cancer, spayed females cannot develop ovarian cancer.
The lifespan of feral cats is usually not more than 5 years, as they do not receive the care of indoor cats.
Cats live hard and die fast outside in the modern world.
Not only do they have to worry about other cats, dogs, and wild animals, but they also have a bigger menace to face, the Jaguars, Cougars, Lynxes, Vipers, Rams, Impalas, and Mustangs that speed along our roads.
The Animal Rescue Foundation estimates that outdoor cats live an average of three years; indoor and outdoor cats, seven years; and indoor-only cats, fifteen to eighteen years.
See also:
- How Long Do Dogs and Cats Live for and Why Do Different Breeds of Dogs Live Longer Than Others?
- Why Do Cats Purr to Show Affection and What Does It Mean When Cats Purr?
- Can Cats See In the Dark and Do Cats Have Night Vision In Complete Darkness?
- Would House Cats Eat Their Owners If the Owners Died and the Cats Were Hungry?
- Where Can I Find Miniature Cats and Do Pet Stores That Have Miniature Dogs Have Miniature Cats?
2 Comments
I have two cats one female and one male. I adopted them from the SPCA. I feed them good quality food and give them both lots of attention. They are indoor cats. The male is 14 years old and the female is 13 years old. I have not taken them to the Vet for seven years, and they are both healthy. I find that giving a cat a stress free life (lots of love and affection} will prolong their life.
indoor cats live longer.
any outdoor cat that invades my property has a limited life span.