Introduction
Did you know that the average lifespan of domestic cats has increased significantly in recent decades? According to facts on Instagram, the average lifespan of domestic cats has gone from 12-15 years in the 1990s to 15-20 years today. With proper care and nutrition, it’s becoming more common for house cats to live well into their late teens and even early 20s.
If you’re a doting cat owner wondering if your feline friend will be with you for years to come, read on to learn the key factors that influence longevity and how you can help your cat live a long, healthy life.
Breed
Certain cat breeds are known to have longer than average lifespans. For example, Siamese cats often live into their mid to late teens, with average lifespans between 15-20 years. This is partly due to their body shape and lack of excessive weight gain. Other long living breeds include the Oriential Shorthair, Russian Blue, Manx, and Persian. According to one vet, “Breeds like the Siamese and Manx routinely live well into their teens or even into their 20’s.” So while mixed breed cats can certainly live long lives, some purebred cats like the Siamese have genetic traits that enable longer than average lifespans. Monitoring health and providing proper care can help cats of any breed live to a ripe old age.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Multiple studies have shown that indoor cats live significantly longer lives on average compared to outdoor cats. One key study from UC Davis Veterinary Medicine found the median lifespan for an indoor cat was 13 years vs just 2-5 years for an outdoor cat (https://www.aercmn.com/indoor-cats-vs-outdoor-cats/). The many dangers posed to outdoor cats including cars, predators, diseases, poisons, and accidents severely limit their lifespans. Indoor cats are protected from these risks and have constant access to food, water, veterinary care and their owners which enables much longer and healthier lives.
Spay/Neuter
One of the most impactful ways to increase a cat’s lifespan is to spay or neuter them at an early age. Intact cats, meaning they are not spayed or neutered, have shorter lifespans on average compared to those that are fixed.
There are a few key reasons for this difference:
First, intact cats are at higher risk for diseases and cancers of the reproductive organs. Female cats that are not spayed are prone to uterine and mammary cancers if they go through heat cycles regularly. Male cats that are not neutered have increased chances of developing testicular and prostate cancers. Spaying and neutering eliminates these risks.
Additionally, intact cats tend to roam and fight more due to hormonal drives. This increases their chances of contracting infectious diseases, getting hit by cars, or sustaining serious injuries from fights with other cats. Keeping cats indoors eliminates some of these risks, but spaying/neutering reduces their desire to roam and fight in the first place.
Lastly, pregnancy and giving birth carry inherent risks that can shorten lifespan. Spaying eliminates the demands of pregnancy and birth, preserving a female cat’s health.
For all these reasons, spaying or neutering cats, ideally around 6 months old, can add years to their lifespan by reducing reproductive disease risks and dangers from roaming and fighting.
Vaccinations
Keeping up with core vaccines is crucial for extending a cat’s lifespan. Vaccines protect cats against common yet potentially fatal diseases like feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus, and rabies. According to research from the University of Tokyo, a new vaccine is being developed that can treat chronic kidney disease and potentially double a cat’s lifespan.
“Aside from administering the treatment as a preventative vaccine, it is expected to work on cats with declined kidney function as well,” says the University of Tokyo research. The vaccine is still in development but shows promise for significantly extending cats’ lives.
Along with emerging treatments, following your veterinarian’s recommendations for core vaccines and annual boosters is key for supporting your cat’s health and longevity.
Diet
Feeding your cat a high-quality diet is important for longevity. As obligate carnivores, cats require foods that are high in animal protein and low in carbohydrates [Purina 9-Year Longevity Study]. Look for foods that contain real meat as the first ingredient and avoid inexpensive grocery store brands that are filled with fillers. Premium brands formulated specifically for cats, such as Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet, and Royal Canin, provide balanced nutrition.
Avoiding obesity is also crucial. Overweight cats are more prone to diseases like diabetes and arthritis that can shorten their lifespan. Feed an age-appropriate food to kittens and senior cats to meet their unique nutritional needs. For adult cats, watch portion sizes and feed set meals rather than free-feeding. Regular weigh-ins at the vet will help monitor if your cat is maintaining an optimal weight.
Exercise/Play
Keeping cats active and engaged with regular exercise and playtime can help extend their lifespan. Exercise provides important physical and mental stimulation that mimics the hunting behaviors cats would engage in if they lived outdoors. According to a 2022 study published in Veterinary Practice News, “there is virtually no research evidence directly evaluating the impact of exercise interventions on health outcomes or longevity” in cats. However, the study notes that exercise likely provides similar benefits to cats as it does to humans and dogs.
Another 2022 study published in ScienceDirect found an age-related decline in physical activity levels among domestic cats (Smit, 2022). The researchers recommend encouraging play and exercise, especially among senior cats, to maintain physical and cognitive health. Interactive play with toys that cats can chase and pounce on is an easy way to provide exercise. Puzzles and treat balls can also encourage mental stimulation. Outdoor access like a catio can allow safe explorations. Providing scratching posts, cat trees, and other vertical spaces utilizes natural climbing behaviors. Multiple play sessions throughout the day can keep cats engaged and prevent boredom or destructive behaviors.
While research is limited, lifestyle factors like regular activity that extends healthspan for humans and dogs also have positive impacts for cats. An enriched lifestyle with daily exercise, play, exploration, and interaction can help cats live their longest, healthiest lives.
Annual Vet Visits
Taking your cat to the vet for annual wellness checkups, ideally once every 6 months, is one of the most important things you can do to help your cat live a long and healthy life. During these vet visits, the vet will perform a full physical exam to look for any abnormalities or early signs of disease. This is critical for detecting issues early, before they become serious health problems.
According to the experts at Cat Care Center, “Early detection of disease increases treatment success rates and minimizes pain and suffering. Your veterinarian will check your cat’s overall health and well-being.” Some of the key elements the vet checks during an annual exam include your cat’s eyes, ears, mouth, skin, heart, lungs, abdomen, muscles, joints, and neurological functioning.
In addition to a physical exam, annual vet visits usually involve diagnostic testing such as bloodwork, urinalysis, and dental exams. These tests allow the vet to establish baseline values for your cat while healthy, so any changes can be detected early on. According to VCA Hospitals, “Since cats age faster than humans, an annual veterinary exam with diagnostic testing is equivalent to a human visiting a doctor every four to five years.”
Enriched Home
Providing a stimulating and enriched home environment is crucial for a cat’s longevity and quality of life. An enriched home goes beyond meeting a cat’s basic needs for food, water, and shelter. It focuses on providing mental stimulation through play, exercise, novelty, and human interaction.
Bored or understimulated cats are more prone to stress, anxiety, obesity, and behavior problems – all of which can negatively impact health and lifespan. Conversely, an enriched home full of activities and ever-changing experiences keeps a cat engaged and promotes healthy brain function.
To enrich your cat’s home, rotate toys frequently so they remain interesting. Offer puzzles and food dispensers that make cats “hunt” for meals. Set up cat towers, perches, and enclosed “catios” so they can climb and view the outdoors safely. Consider adopting a second cat for social enrichment. And be sure to play interactive games like chasing wands every day. The key is providing variety and novelty.
By investing time and effort into an enriched home, you enable a cat to express natural behaviors and satisfy curiosity. This promotes better physical and mental health, often translating into more years of fulfilling life.
As one source notes, “Enrichment For Cats: 13 Ways to Improve Their Lives.”
Conclusion
In summary, there are several key factors that influence a cat’s longevity and overall health. Breed matters because some breeds like Siamese and Persian tend to live longer on average than other breeds. Keeping your cat indoors reduces risks from cars, predators, infectious diseases and other outdoor hazards. Getting your cat spayed/neutered and vaccinated on schedule protects against disease and cancers. Providing a balanced diet tailored for your cat’s age and activity level supports optimal nutrition. Regular vet checkups monitor for any developing health issues to treat early. Creating an enriched home environment reduces stress and keeps your cat mentally stimulated.
With attentive and proactive care, it’s certainly possible for cats to live healthily into their late teens and even early 20s. The most important thing is to enjoy your time together and give your feline friend lots of love.
