"How long do cats live? | The lifespan and lifecycle of cats"

Exploring the intriguing world of our beloved feline companions including the question, How Long do cats live? Learn about their average lifespan, and fascinating insights into their extended longevity

If you have a furry feline friend or are considering getting one you might be curious how many years do our beloved cats live in human years?

How long a cat lives can vary based on a bunch of things like how healthy they are and what they eat and where they live. On average most pet cats live to be about 12-14 years old but some can make it to 20 years.

People often think that a cat's breed can affect how long they live but that's not always true it's hard to say for sure. but just remember that every cat is unique and their lifespan can be different.

Great news! Thanks to the amazing progress in veterinary care and increased awareness of how to take good care of our furry friends our beloved domestic cats are now enjoying longer lives than ever before.

How old is the world's oldest cat?

In 2022 the Guinness World Records recognized Flossie as the oldest living cat. Flossie who is a remarkable 26 years old, Flossie is truly a special feline and I can confidently say that she's the oldest cat I've ever had the pleasure of meeting In human years, that's at least 120 years a very old cat.

Flossie found her new home with Vicki Green in Orpington and let me tell you, it was a match made in heaven Vicki knew right away that Flossie was no ordinary cat. but little did she know she was bringing home a world record holder.

Flossie is just the sweetest and most playful companion especially considering her age Vicki feels incredibly proud.

Flossie has been part of the same extended family since she was a young stray back in 1995 she used to live with a group of cats near a hospital in Merseyside, until two kind hearted workers decided to give her and another cat a loving home.

They all lived happily together for a decade until the owner sadly passed away Flossie then found a new home with her sister and enjoyed another wonderful 14 years. By that time, Flossie was already at least 24 years old.

After her second owner also passed away Flossie went to live with the woman's son for three years, however due to his circumstances he had to make the tough decision to give Flossie away.

Craig Glenday editor in Chief at Guinness World Records said, we were so excited to hear about the lovely Flossie and celebrate her long life it’s not every day you come across a cat who has been around since the mid nineties.

This is the human equivalent of over 120 years old which would put her on par with Jeanne Calment the French supercentenarian who lived to 122 years 164 days and holds the record for the oldest person ever.

The world record for the oldest cat ever is held by Creme Puff a cat from Texas in the USA who lived to be 38 years and three days old the longest lifespan of any known domestic cat.

What type of cat has the longest lifespan?

Although there is no guarantee that your cat will live a long and healthy life there are certain breeds like Siamese, Burmese, and Ragdoll, that are known to have longer lifespans.

How long are cat years?

Cats also go through different life stages that can be compared to human years it means we can estimate a cat's age in both cat years and human years.

But here is the tricky part cats grow and mature a lot during their first year just like us humans who age slower as time goes by.

So to make things easier we have come up with an approximate conversion of cat years to human years.

• 1 month = 1 human year
• 3 months = 4 human years
• 6 months = 10 human years
• 12 months = 15 human years
• 18 months = 21 human years
• 2 cat years = 24 human years
• 3 cat years = 28 human years

After three years your adorable cat has grown and matured just as much as a 28 year old human.

From this point on every year in a cat's life is equivalent to about four human years so if you have an 11 year old cat they are actually like a wise 60 year old human.

When are cats considered ‘old’ in their lifecycle?

As cats grow they go through six different life stages they start being considered old when they reach the mature stage at around seven years old but don't worry they usually don't start slowing down until they reach the senior stage at around 11 years old.

So here are the six life stages of a cat's life cycle.

Kitten (0-6 months)

Are in their prime growth and learning stage they are super curious and eager to explore their surroundings figuring out what's safe and what's not. it's a crucial time for them to discover and understand the world around them.

Junior (1-2 years)

During the junior stage which typically lasts for 1 to 2 years cats reach their full size and also develop important skills like playing and hunting. It's an exciting time as they continue to learn and explore their surroundings by the time a cat turns two, they are considered to be 24 years old in human years.

Prime (3-6 years)

Is when cats are at their best and in the peak of their physical fitness it's like their golden years in human terms this period is equivalent to being 24 to 40 years old.

Mature (7-10 years)

When cats reach the mature stage around 7 to 10 years old, they start to be considered as old they might slow down a bit and gain some weight. Just like humans do when they reach their mid 40s to mid 50s.

Senior (11-14 years)

When cats reach the senior stage 11 to 14 years old they are like wise elders who have lived a long and fulfilling life at this age they are equivalent to 70 human years as they age they may not be as spry and agile as they once were so it's important to keep a close eye on their health and well being.

Super senior/geriatric (15 years and older)

Older cats also known as super seniors or geriatrics are truly remarkable creatures while some of them may still possess the playful energy of a kitten, others prefer a more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle spending their days sleeping in cosy spots.

How to tell the age of a cat

If you're not sure when a cat was born it can be a bit tricky to figure out their exact age but don't worry there's a way to get a pretty good estimate.

Just take your furry friend to a vet who can check their teeth, eyes, coat, and overall health to give you a rough idea of how old they might be It's like a detective work for cats.

How long do indoor cats live?

Cats who venture outdoors may come across some risks like road traffic accidents cat fights and other dangers that could impact their life expectancy however they also get the chance to stretch their legs and stay active which keeps them in good shape.

Right now there is not much evidence to prove that either an indoor or outdoor cats life expectancy is affected if you choose to keep your cat indoors make sure they have plenty of opportunities to play and exercise with fun toys they can chase and catch.

Even indoor cats face some risks so it's important to keep a close eye on them to ensure they stay healthy and happy for as long as possible.

How to help your cat live longer

 

• Get them neutered – It is highly recommended to have cats undergo the process of neutering, Neutered cats have a higher likelihood of enjoying a longer lifespan as this procedure prevents them from contracting diseases through mating.

 

• Regular vet checks – Are essential for maintaining the well being of your feline companion by scheduling annual check-ups you can promptly identify any potential health concerns and ensure that appropriate interventions are administered in a timely manner.

 

• Give a healthy diet - Make sure your furry friend is getting a nutritious diet it's important to feed your cat a complete cat food that is suitable for their age this way they will get all the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy for years to come.

 

• Get them vaccinated – Vaccinations are a great way to keep them safe from any harmful diseases that could potentially impact their health and well being it's a small step that can go a long way in protecting their lives.

 

• Keep them indoors at night – It is advisable to confine your cats indoors during nighttime hours the likelihood of your feline companion encountering a road traffic accident or engaging in altercations with other cats is significantly elevated during the dark hours.

 

• Exercise – Make sure to give your cat some exercise whether they prefer to stay indoors or venture outside it is important to set aside a little time each day to play with them this will help keep them active and in great shape.

 

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