How long to cats live indoors

Índice Show

Keeping your feline fit and healthy
What happens as a cat ages?
What Your Local Vet Can Do
Total Wellness Plan
How Long Do Indoor Cats Live?
How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live?
Why Do Outdoor Cats Live Shorter Lives?
How Do Cat and Human Years Compare?
How Old Is Your Cat?
Your Cat’s Life Stages
Average Lifespans of Popular Cat Breeds
Helping Your Cat Live a Long Life
Veterinary Care
Exercise and Engagement
Pet Insurance
The Oldest Cat of All Time

Outdoor cats love to explore and get into everything. Unfortunately, this does come with risks. According to Pet Web MD, outdoor cats who are unsupervised majority of the time, have a life expectancy of seven years.

A cat’s life expectancy can depend on breed. Tabby cats are popular felines, so how long do tabby cats live? The average life expectancy of a tabby cat is between 12 and 15 years, but some can live until they are 18 or older.

Cats are living longer than ever. With improvements in nutrition and veterinary medicine including vaccines and therapeutic agents, cats are living to over 15 years of age and in some cases over 20 years of age. Life expectancy depends on many things, including one important factor - whether your cat is an indoor-only cat or an outdoor cat.

Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat, Creme Puff lived to be an amazing 38 years old.

Outdoor cats generally live shorter lives due to being more likely to be involved in traumas such as motor vehicle accidents or dog attacks. Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to several life threatening viruses including Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia that are spread by fighting or contact with an infected cat.

Keeping your feline fit and healthy

There are many things you can do to help your feline friend live happily through their golden years.

Observation - your role is essential in noticing small changes to your cat's behaviour or general well being. You can do this by performing a weekly mini-physical examination yourself (if you are unsure about how to do this, ask us next time your cat visits).
Also be on the lookout for changes in water intake, appetite, breathing patterns, coat quality, lumps and bumps, coughing, physical abilities, toileting habits and even grooming habits.
Routine vaccinations
Regular veterinary check-ups including a physical examination (find out more here)
Balanced diet to suit your cat's age
Maintain a healthy weight range
Exercise - regularly engage in moderate playtime
Provide a stress free environment

What happens as a cat ages?

The ageing process is accompanied by many physical and behavioural changes:

The immune system of older cats is less able to fend off foreign invaders.
The skin is thinner and less elastic, has reduced blood circulation, and is more prone to infection.
Older cats groom themselves less effectively than do younger cats, sometimes resulting in hair matting, skin odour, and inflammation.
The claws of ageing felines are often overgrown, thick and brittle and will need to be clipped more often.
Hearing loss is common in cats of advanced age.
Ageing is also accompanied by many changes in the eyes. A slight haziness of the lens is a common age-related change and in most cases does not decrease a cat's vision to any appreciable extent. However, several diseases-especially those associated with high blood pressure can seriously and irreversibly impair a cat's ability to see.
Dental disease is extremely common in older cats and can hinder eating and cause significant pain.
Although many different diseases can cause a loss of appetite, in healthy senior cats, a decreased sense of smell may be partially responsible for a loss of interest in eating. However, the discomfort associated with dental disease is a more likely cause of reluctance to eat.
Feline kidneys undergo a number of age-related changes that may ultimately lead to impaired function; kidney failure is a common disease in older cats, and its signs are extremely varied. Picking up changes in the kidneys early, will provide a better quality of life.
Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, is common in older cats. Although most arthritic cats don't become overly lame, they may have difficulty gaining access to litter boxes and food and water dishes, particularly if they have to jump or climb stairs to get to them. Cats with arthritis or joint disease may groom less and are less inclined to appreciate a pat over the back or tail area.
Hyperthyroidism (often resulting in over activity); hypertension (high blood pressure); diabetes mellitus; inflammatory bowel disease; and cancer are all examples of conditions that, though sometimes seen in younger cats, become more prevalent in cats as they age.
In humans, ageing changes in the brain contribute to a loss of memory and alterations in personality commonly referred to as senility. Similar signs are seen in elderly cats: wandering, excessive meowing, apparent disorientation, and avoidance of social interaction.

Information adapted from Cornell Feline Health Centre

What Your Local Vet Can Do

If you have an ageing feline friend, we're sure you want to ensure they live a long and happy life. We offer free dental health checks so that we're able to identify any signs of dental disease in your cat, vaccinations, cat boarding and more - contact your nearest vet clinic today.

Total Wellness Plan

Enjoy greater convenience and peace of mind with the Total Wellness Plan. As part of our annual healthcare plan you will receive unlimited consultations*, annual vaccination, monthly parasite control delivered direct to your door and more, meaning that you can focus on your cat living a long and happy life without the stress - join the Total Wellness Plan today.

*For Classic plan members only.

We all wish our pets could live with us forever, providing endless joy and affection. Unfortunately, the average lifespan of a cat is considerably shorter than the average person’s. That shouldn’t scare prospective pet parents away. With the appropriate care, four-legged friends can live perfectly long and happy lives.

The average kitten owner can expect healthy domestic cats to live for more than a decade with an appropriate diet and healthcare regimen. Some feline fanciers have seen their pets live even longer, offering more than two decades of unconditional love.

How Long Do Indoor Cats Live?

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises cat owners that it is generally safer to keep cats indoors and that indoor cats tend to live longer lives. Cats that stay inside have an average lifespan between 10 and 15 years on average with many living well into their teens and twenties.

How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live?

Outdoor cats tend to live far shorter lives than their more domesticated counterparts. The University of California, Davis’ Clinical Animal Behavior Service reports that the average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is just two to five years.

Why Do Outdoor Cats Live Shorter Lives?

Outdoor felines face a range of potentially life-threatening dangers, including:

Cars, trucks, and other vehicles
Cats, dogs, and wild animals
Parasites like fleas and ticks
Poisons, including pesticides and fertilizers
Toxic plants like lilies

Cats who wander outdoors also risk theft or capture by animal control authorities. The chances of returning home increase dramatically when pets are microchipped and registered in the appropriate database.

How Do Cat and Human Years Compare?

You’ve probably heard the “fact” that dogs age seven human years every 365 days, but what about cats? According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), here’s how your cat’s age in “cat years” compares to their age in human years:

A cat ages roughly 15 human years during their first year.
Then, they age another nine years during their second year.
Each additional year of age is equal to around four human years.

How Old Is Your Cat?

0 to 1 month: 1 human year
2 to 3 months: 2 to 4 human years
4 months: 6 to 8 human years
6 months: 10 human years
7 months: 12 human years
12 months: 15 human years
18 months: 21 human years
2 years: 24 human years
3 years: 28 human years
4 years: 32 human years
5 years: 36 human years
10 years: 56 human years
15 years: 76 human years
20 years: 96 human years

The average life expectancy of a cat suggests that many live the equivalent of a full human life. In 2019, the United Nations estimated that the average global life expectancy is 72.9 years. That’s a little more than 14 cat years.

Your Cat’s Life Stages

Kitten: Birth to six months
Junior: Seven months to two years
Prime: Three years to six years
Mature: Seven years to 10 years
Senior: 11 years to 14 years
Geriatric: 15+ years

Average Lifespans of Popular Cat Breeds

A cat’s average lifespan depends on a number of factors. Among these are genetic ones, passed down by a cat’s ancestors. As the examples below make clear, some breeds live longer than others:

American Shorthair: 15 to 20 years
Bengal: 14 to 16 years
Burmese: 16 to 18 years
Maine Coon: 10 to 13 years
Manx: 8 to 14 years
Persian: 10 to 17 years
Ragdoll: 15 to 18 years
Russian Blue: 15 to 20 years
Savannah: 12 to 20 years
Siamese: 12 to 20 years
Sphynx: 10 to 15 years

Helping Your Cat Live a Long Life

Want to help your cat reach a ripe old age? Following a few simple guidelines can help your cat thrive well into adulthood and ensure you’ve got plenty of time together:

Veterinary Care

Even the savviest cat lover can’t do it all on their own. Your veterinarian is a partner in pet care, an expert who’ll offer hands-on guidance from the kitten days to the senior years. They’ll guide you on how to promote a happy, healthy life at home and help to recognize warning signs before they evolve into serious health concerns. Just like people, cats are susceptible to chronic health conditions that can shorten their lives and impact their standards of living. A good vet will ensure you’re doing everything you can to maximize your time with your pet without causing them undue stress or suffering.

Nutrition

Your vet will also prove essential in planning your cat’s diet. A feline’s nutritional needs will change as they age and a specialist can help ensure you’re always providing everything they require. If necessary, your vet may recommend supplementing commercial foods or even purchasing special prescription blends. Learn more about helping your cat maintain a healthy weight.

Lifestyle

As discussed, indoor cats tend to live far longer than outdoor cats. While the average household includes its fair share of dangers, keeping cats indoors is generally considered a benefit to their longevity. Make sure to “cat-proof” your home, removing variables and hazards to create a safe environment. Remember to expect changes as your cat ages. You’ll probably need to make different adjustments for a senior cat than you’d make for a kitten.

Exercise and Engagement

Cats may look lazy, but that doesn’t mean they can do without physical and mental stimulation. Regular exercise isn’t just essential for keeping pets healthy, it’s crucial for their happiness too! Keeping pets engaged with toys and opportunities to explore can keep them from growing bored and listless while promoting mental sharpness into their geriatric period.

Pet Insurance

Insurance can’t stop pet health emergencies from taking place, but the financial safety net it provides can make a big difference when it comes time to administer care. Providers offer a range of options. The simplest policies offer coverage against accidents and illnesses alone, while more comprehensive ones cover everything from routine care to end-of-life expenses.

The Oldest Cat of All Time

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, an Austin, Texas cat named Creme Puff lived longer than any pet cat in history. Born in 1967, the American Shorthair was a devoted family companion for more than three decades, living to a whopping 38 years of age. The elderly cat’s doting family reported feeding him an unusual diet including such items as asparagus and heavy cream.

Pet insurance can be a safety net for you and your pet, helping your pet care budget go further.

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