How Long Do House Cats Live And Why?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 4th, 2022

Correct answer: up to 17 years

House cats have a lifespan of up to 17 years. All of the credit belongs to good food and home cat care. Good nutrition is essential for all animals to have a long and healthy life. Many animals die at a young age due to not obtaining enough nutrients.

Not only do indoor cats have better nutrition, but they also have greater comfort in the house than outside cats. Compared to outdoor cats, indoor cats (or house cats) are always handled better.

The home cats are given a decent habitat, food, company, and attention. House cats have a life span that ranges from 13 to 17 years, but you may always extend it by providing the greatest care for your cats.

Life Stages of a Cat

Cats progress through six life phases, and they are called ‘old’ when they reach the mature stage at the age of seven. They normally do not begin to slow down until they reach the ‘senior’ stage, around 11 years old. A cat’s six life phases are as follows:

• Kitten (0-6 months) – This is when cats develop the fastest and learn the most about what is safe and hazardous in their surroundings. In human years, a six-month-old kitten is ten years old.
• Junior (6 months to 2 years) — During this time, cats reach their maximum size and continue to acquire vital abilities such as playing/hunting. In human years, a two-year-old cat is 24.
• Prime (3-6 years) — This is when cats are at the pinnacle of their physical fitness and the prime of their life. This period encompasses the ages of 24 to 40 human years.
• Maturing (7-10 years) – When cats reach this age, they are termed ‘old,’ and they may begin to slow down and gain weight. They are in their mid-40s to mid-50s at this point in their lives.
• Senior (aged 11-14) – Cats reach the age of 70 at 14, so they may not be as agile as they once were, and their health needs to be properly monitored.
• Super senior/geriatric (15 years and older) — Some cats may reach this stage with the vigor of a kitten, while others will prefer a slower pace of life with plenty of comfortable spaces for resting. They are 76 in human years when they are 15 and 100 in human years when they are 21.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a House Cat?

It’s undoubtedly excellent news for cat lovers because your indoor kitties will live longer than outside cats. Cats, like people, require equal efforts to maintain their health. You may claim that home cats are human-like.

The better you care for your cats, the longer they will live. House cats can die before they reach old age. This might be due to a lack of care or another health concern.

Several factors influence how long domestic cats live. Some of these are as follows:

Routine medical care

You might not notice your dogs moaning about their health. Cats will not speak out if something is wrong with their health, but you can always verify that with basic medical treatment.

Routine medical treatment at regular intervals will keep your dogs healthy for a long time. At the outset, the physicians will determine if there is anything wrong with your dogs. It is usually preferable to treat any health issues at an early stage to avoid the consequences.

Your pet’s veterinarian may request some testing. Routine maintenance is beneficial to your cat’s longevity since it aids in the detection of any difficulties your pet may be experiencing.

Diet

The greatest diet for your cat is one that has all of the necessary nutrients. A proper diet is critical in predicting your pet’s life expectancy. Before deciding on an optimum food for your cat, consult with your veterinarian.

Because there are several possibilities for perfect diets, your veterinarian is the best person to recommend an especially good diet for your cat.

Exercise

Exercise is another important aspect in determining how long your cat will live. An active cat will indeed live longer than a lazy cat. You should constantly spend quality time with your cat to engage with them. Interacting with cats makes them more active in their pursuit of instructions. 

True, house cats can’t undertake a lot of physical activities, but they can try some of the simplest ones. You may entice them to come inside your home and play with your toys.

Don’t make them bored.

You must keep your kitties from getting more because dullness reduces your cats’ energy level and activity level. As a result, you must always keep them happy and busy.

How Do Cats Live Such Long Lives?

Cats’ lives are predestined, but you may always help your cat live longer than predicted. Acts’ lifespans are sometimes uncertain since a variety of elements determines them. The sort of cat you will have is also an influence in its life span.

The breed of the cat is an essential factor to consider when evaluating the life expectancy of any cat. A Siamese, for example, may live for up to 20 years, but Calico has a maximum lifespan of 15 years.

There are some outstanding cats who are beyond their predicted lifespan. Cats can have longer lives if they are properly cared for. As a result, predicting how long a cat will live is a monumental task, as we can only forecast the life expectancy.

House cat infections that are common

Another important element in determining the average lifetime of a home cat is the ability to recognize and treat common ailments such as diabetes or feline lower urinary tract disease.

It’s a good idea to educate yourself about common ailments that your cat may catch to aid with prevention and to recognize them as soon as possible if symptoms appear. You’ll be able to take your pet to the vet for treatment once you know what signs to watch for.

What to expect as your cat grows older

As your cat ages, you’ll notice changes in its physiology as well as its behavior. Physical changes may include a decreased capacity to taste and smell food and digest fats and proteins.

They may also have diminished hearing, impaired immunological function, decreased skin elasticity, and stress intolerance. You may also notice that your older cat is less active or has accidents outside the litter box, which might indicate arthritis.

Additionally, behavioral changes might include spending less time playing, napping for extended periods, having limited or selective food, and grooming less frequently.

What happens to a cat as it ages?

Many physical and behavioral changes accompany the aging process:

1. Older cats’ immune systems are less capable of repelling foreign invaders.
2. The skin is thinner and less elastic, there is less blood circulation, and the skin is more susceptible to infection.
3. Grooming is less successful in older cats than younger cats, resulting in hair matting, skin odor, and irritation.
4. The claws of elderly cats are sometimes overgrown, thick, and fragile, necessitating more frequent clipping.
5. Hearing loss is frequent in elderly cats.
6. Many changes occur in the eyes as people age. A small haziness of the lens is a frequent age-related alteration that, in most circumstances, does not impair a cat’s eyesight significantly. Several disorders, particularly those connected with high blood pressure, can, nevertheless, substantially and irreparably damage a cat’s ability to see.
7. Dental disease is frequent in senior cats and can make feeding difficult and painful.
8. Although various disorders can cause a lack of appetite, in healthy elderly cats, a diminished sense of smell may be partially to blame for a loss of hunger. On the other hand, the discomfort associated with oral illness is a more frequent cause of reluctance to eat.
9. The feline kidneys undergo a range of age-related changes that can lead to reduced function; kidney failure is a frequent condition in older cats, and its symptoms are quite variable. Detecting abnormalities in the kidneys early will result in a higher quality of life.
10. Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is frequent in elderly cats. Although most arthritic cats may not become unduly lame, they may have trouble accessing litter boxes, food and water dishes, and other items, especially if they must leap or climb steps to get to them. Cats suffering from arthritis or joint problems may groom less and are less likely to enjoy a pat on the back or tail.
11. Hyperthyroidism (often leading to excessive activity), hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus; inflammatory bowel disease; and cancer are all illnesses that, while evident in younger cats, become more common in older cats.
12. In humans, changes in the brain caused by aging contribute to memory loss and personality changes known as senility. Wandering, excessive mewing, apparent bewilderment, and avoidance of social engagement are all symptoms recognized in senior cats.

How to Make Your Cat Live a Longer Life

You can do six easy things to help your cat live a longer life.

• Get them spayed or neutered – Neutered cats enjoy longer lives because they are less likely to get diseases via mating and are less likely to wander far from home, lowering the risk of road traffic accidents and catfights.
• Have your pet examined by a veterinarian regularly — Taking your cat to the vet for a check-up at least once a year can allow you to detect any health concerns early and treat them effectively.
• Get them immunized – Making sure your cat has all of their immunizations up to date can help to protect them from any terrible diseases that might shorten their life.
• Encourage physical activity – Whether or not your cat goes outside, spend some time each day encouraging them to play so they may receive some exercise and keep physically fit.
• Feed a nutritious diet – Make sure your cat is eating a complete cat food appropriate for their age, as this will provide them with all the nutrients they require to live a long and healthy life. Avoid offering your cat too many goodies since they are high in calories and might lead them to gain weight.
• Keep them indoors at night – Because the chances of your cat getting involved in a car accident or fighting with another cat are increased at night, we recommend keeping them indoors while it’s dark.

Conclusion

Giving your cat the finest living possible will help them live a longer life. Cats, like people, are entitled to the same level of care and nutrition. Giving them sustenance throughout the acre will improve their health and let them survive for a longer period.

Editorial Staff

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