I always say that owning a cat is a big responsibility. You have to be committed to the cat for a lifetime. That is why it is important to know the lifespan of your cats. This not only helps you do a strong plan for the cat but also keeps you emotionally prepared.
So, how long do indoor cats live? The typical lifespan of an indoor cat is more than 17 years. The indoor cats live a longer life than outdoor, feral, or stray cats. But these cats require constant care and attention.
If you wonder how long indoor cats live, or what factors affect their lifespan, this article is for you.
How long do indoor cats live?
Most indoor cats have a life expectancy of about 13 to 17 years. Some of them can live a life of up to 20 years or even more. So, the average lifespan of an indoor cat is around 14 to 15 years.
There are many factors that decide how long your indoor cat will live. If you can provide excellent care for the pet feline, it will live its life to the fullest. The indoor cats require more care than any other type of cat.
What Factors Affect The Indoor Cat’s lifespan?
Usually, how long your indoor cat will live, it depends on some factors. For example,
- Breed
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- History
- Health
Breed: By breed, I am indicating the genetics of a cat. You must have heard that the mixed breed cats live longer than pure breed ones. So, yes, the genes matter a lot.
Depending on the feline’s breed, the lifespan of an indoor cat can be somewhere between 8 to 20 years. Inbreeding cats sometimes exhibit a negative impact. The pet may suffer from medical conditions, which eventually decreases its life expectancy.
Diet: Food is very important for the kitty. What you feed impacts the health and lifespan of your feline.
Cats are considered carnivorous, which means they depend on the protein type food items or the meat. You can not make them live on veggies or salads. Natural food items sprinkled with supplements are the best for a feline’s health. However, if you can not manage this, you can go for commercial foods or canned items. Never feed the cat dry foods for a long time.
Some owners feed a lot of green to the cats. I understand vegetables are good and contain a lot of nutrients. But when you force the feline to live on the green, it may upset the pet’s tummy and impact its health. So, make sure there is enough protein.
Also, cats can eat different human foods. You can give it as a treat to the pet. However, if your cat eats right, it will be in good health and shape. So, the chances of living a long life will increase for the feline.
Lifestyle: I am referring to the environment or the surroundings of a cat. Believe me, the surroundings matter a lot when it comes to a cat’s total lifespan.
A good environment will have a clean area for the cat to run and play. Make sure the litter box and the toys are clean. You need to ensure the happiness of the feline. Provide the kitty the best place to play, hide, climb, and sleep.
If the place is dirty, and there is a constant noise coming from outside, the cat will be very disturbed. Some experts believe that a noisy, dirty place can stress the felines. If your cat is mentally healthy, it will probably live a long life.
History: It is obvious that a rescue or stray cat will not live a long life like an indoor one. If you adopt a cat, gather information about its past. If it has suffered from a severe condition, the cat may live a short life.
Health: Like humans, indoor cats can be vulnerable to many diseases. Any severe health condition can deduct years from the cat’s life expectancy.
So, what can you do? You need to do a regular vet check-up of the cat. Ensure the vet is doing the blood test, urine test, dental exams, and all the other things that are needed. Also, keep the place clean so that the cat does not ingest any parasite.
Freeing the cat outside or letting it play with the stray cats increases the possibility of FIV transmission. So, stay alert when your cat is playing outside.
How Long Do Indoor Cats Live? – Different Breed
Let’s see the lifespan of different indoor cats
Savannah cats
This cat is only for experienced owners. Even though the Savannah cats haven’t been domesticated yet, they can act friendly with people. This breed can live around 12 to 20 years.
Siamese
This Thailand originated cat is more than beautiful. How long do Siamese cats live? Though the Siamese cats suffer from a few medical conditions, most of them live up to 20 years.
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau cats are beautiful and very friendly with people. These cats can live around 12 to 15 years.
Balinese
Balinese is similar to the siamese, but with long fur. The Balinese cats have a lifespan of about 12 to 20 years.
American shorthair
This breed is very popular because of its friendly and easy-going nature. One American shorthair can live around 15 to 20 years.
How long do tabby cats live?
A tabby cat is any domestic cat with different patterns on the furry coat. Depending on the pattern, the tabby cats have been divided into many categories. Many people think the pattern determines the cat’s life expectancy, but no. These cats can live 10 to 15 years or more.
How long do calico cats live?
Any breed with a tri-color coat is considered a calico cat. So, the lifespan totally depends on the breed you have. But the calico cats will live around 15 years and more.
How long do indoor cats live? I have tried to clear the concept in this article. Take great care of your cat, and it will ensure the pet a healthy life.
Related:
How Old Do Cats Live? What Is The Average Lifespan of Cat?
How long do cats live? – Facts you need to check today
