What Cat Breeds Live The Longest?

When looking to adopt a new cat, people often get curious about certain factors such as hair shedding, breed-related health issues, and last but not least: longevity. But is longevity related to breed? How can you improve your cat’s life so that they can live a long, happy life, and be your companion for as long as they can? In today’s blog we’ll address some of the most common questions about how long do cats live, and share some essential tips and tricks so that you and your furry friends can get your very own happily ever after.

​How Long Do Cats Live?

 Okay, let’s start with the basics. The average lifespan for a domestic cat ranges from 12 to 18 years, give or take. There have been quite a few exceptions on record, with some of the oldest cats in the world living well into their thirties. This is why it’s essential to recognize that adopting a cat can’t be done on a whim: it’s a lifelong commitment, and it’s important that you are well prepared when the time to welcome a new feline friend to your family comes!
If you adopt a kitten that has no known health issues that could affect their lifespan, it’s safe to expect them to be able to give you all their love for a whole decade — at the very least. Of course, this cannot be exactly predicted — as genetics play a big factor into this, too.
And, with the right amount of tender love and caring (and a bit of luck!), even senior cats can be expected to achieve a longer lifespan that will fill your life with plenty of purrfect cuddling sessions with your fur-baby.

What Cat Breeds Live The Longest?

 The conversation “Nature vs Nurture” goes a long way when talking about cat longevity, just the same way as it does when talking about human longevity. Cats living in the streets may face lots of challenges, malnourishment, and diseases — factors that could negatively impact their longevity. This is why Fat Kitty City strives to get as many cats as they can away from the streets, providing them with a safe and monitored environment where they can live while waiting for a loving family to adopt them. It seems like cross-breed cats — such as Domestic Short Hair cats (sometimes referred to as DSH) have a longer average lifespan than purebred cats, although there are some specific breeds that have been reported as more longevously than some others. Let’s see them together!

Siamese
The Siamese cat, characterized by their darkened extremities (a fur color pattern known as “color point”), is a well-known domestic cat. Renowned for their chatty and playful personalities, Siamese cats make the perfect companion for those cat owners that are ready to get lots of attentions to these clingy felines. With their large ears and mesmerizing blue eyes, these kitties appeal to a very specific type of humans.
Average lifespan: 15-20 years.

Burmese
This active and sociable cat is characterized by a solid, muscular build. No wonder they are huge fans of intense playing sessions and pursue an active lifestyle! If you don’t mind the zoomies, Burmese cats are great companions with lots of love to give. Just like the Siamese cat, Burmese kitties are known for being quite vocal. And, despite their elegant appearance, they are surprisingly heavy for their size!
Average lifespan: 10-16 years.

Persian
Persian cats have an ethereal allure, and it’s easy to see why they have been often picked to star in movies as the companions of glamorous dames and eccentric villains alike. Their beautiful long coat and elegant snub nose make this breed’s appearance unique — and their charming personality even more so! This breed is quite high-maintenance too, meaning that they are best suited for an experienced cat owner willing to keep up with their grooming and nose-cleaning.
Average lifespan: 12-17 years.

Savannah
This fascinating breed originated in the 1980s by crossing a Serval (a wildcat originally from the sub-Saharan regions of Africa) with a Siamese cat, and are still banned as domestic animals in many countries. The rare Savannah cats make interesting companions for highly-experienced cat owners, requiring lots of training due to their high intelligence and semi-wild nature. Savannah cats are characterized by an independent yet loyal attitude, and can be leash trained too.
Average lifespan: 15-20 years.

Egyptian Mau
Affectionate and friendly, the Egyptian Mau cats are stunning short-haired companions characterized by a spotted pattern and a scarab-like tabby marking on their foreheads. Elegant and composed, these kitties are not afraid of showing their playful side, but only once they have established their comfort. They tend to get attached to one family member specifically.
Average lifespan: 12-15 years.

How To Count Cat Years?

Some believe that cat years can be “calculated” in human years the same way you do it with a dog, aka multiplying each year after the first by seven. However, this method isn’t quite correct.
Cats reach full behavioral development around the third year of their life, meaning that despite they will look all grown up around the age of 18 months, they will still be in their kittenhood… Mentally!
Cats that are still in their “transitional phase” (behavior-wise) will most likely be very playtime- focused, active, and inquisitive. That said, each cat is unique and has their own personality — some may calm down after being neutered/spayed, some others retain their playful traits well into adulthood, and some others are calm by nature and will prefer dozing on the couch and basking in the sun rather than chasing birds and feather toys, no matter their age.
If you’d like to calculate your cat’s age in human years to better understand their behavior and needs, you can do so by taking in consideration these key factors:
Your cat will be considered a kitten from age 0-6 months old. Their first month of life can be compared to the first year of life of a human being. From 6 months to 2 years old, your cat is usually considered a junior. At 7 months old, your cat’s age is comparable to that of a 12-year-old human. At 2 years old, your cat’s age can be compared to the one of a 24-year-old human. From age 3 to 6, cats are considered adults — where 3 cat years are comparable to 28 human years, and 6 cat years are comparable to 40 human years. From age 7 to the 10, our furry felines are considered mature! At 7 years old, a cat’s age is more or less equivalent to 44 human years, while 10 feline years are equivalent to 56 human years.
Seniority! A cat from age 11 to 14 is now a senior. These sweet, older kitties’ ages are
comparable to human years the following way: 11 cat years = 60 human years, while 14 cat years = 72 human years. 15+ years: your cat is a… super senior! These longevous kitties start their 15th year of life comparing their age to 76 human years. From there on, you can count every cat year by skip- counting four human years.

What Can Affect A Cat’s Lifespan?

There are many factors that can impact your cat’s longevity, both genetic and environmental. Keeping up with regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and neutering your pets are generally considered good customs to ensure a long, happy, and healthy life for your pets. At Fat Kitty City our cats undergo regular checkups with a certified veterinarian practitioner to make sure that any issue of our beloved furry guests can be identified and tackled at an early stage, should they ever arise. When you adopt a cat, it’s essential that you keep on top of their check ups and anti parasitical treatments. Last but not least, a balanced diet and regular exercise, together with providing them with a clean environment and taking care of their litter box regularly can help keep both cats and humans happy and healthy while living together.

Do Male Or Female Cats Live Longer?

On average, it’s been observed that female cats have a slightly longer lifespan than male cats. This might be due to female cats being less interested in engaging in activities that could potentially be dangerous, such as territorial fights that can lead to injuries, infections, and disease. They are also less prone to contract urinary trait infections when compared to male kitties. That said, both male and female cats can enjoy a healthy and happy long life when properly cared for. Neutering/spaying your cats, their specific breed, and genetics also play a huge factor in determining their lifespan regardless of their gender.

​What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of An Indoor Cat?

Cats that live indoors tend to live longer lives than outdoorsy kitties, as they are unlikely to be victims of car accidents, attacks by wild animals, and contracting diseases from strays or parasites. However, indoor cats will need particular attention to their diet and exercise — as a sedentary apartment life could lead to potential risks to their health related to obesity, especially after neutering.

Do Cats Prefer Being The Only Pet In The House?

Despite often depicted as independent and detached animals, cats are incredibly social pets and can terribly suffer from loneliness and isolation. In the wild, feral cats are known for forming small to large colonies that loosely resemble miniature lion prides — based on the availability of resources such as food, water, shelter, and reproductive possibilities. These colonies can form a certain type of hierarchy too, although experts have observed many different behaviors and disagree on a standard, common structure. Some colonies see female cats co-operating to raise kittens, for example. If you live a busy life, consider gifting your cat a feline companion to care for their mental health, too! Some suggest in fact that cats can get great benefit from having a playtime companion, keeping boredom and loneliness at bay.

​Conclusion:

Now that you know everything about your cat’s aging and the most longevous cat breeds, you have all you need to make sure you make the kittenhood, adulthood, and seniority of your furry friends their best time ever. Check out our blog: Adopting A Senior Cat to know more about older kitties, and read our Kitten 101: Are You Ready To Adopt A Kitten? guide to get your very own kitten checklist ready for a new fur baby in your home!