ᐉ Which cat breeds live the longest?

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It's not uncommon for cats to live up to 15 years, but there are some cat breeds that live longer. There is no guarantee that your cat will live to be 20 years old, as genetics and care are determining factors. But choosing a cat breed with a longer lifespan and taking good care of your cat increases your chances of having a loving cat by your side for many years.

High-quality nutrition, adequate exercise and regular well-being checks will increase the lifespan of any cat. Veterinarians also recommend keeping your cat indoors to prevent illness and injury.

Siamese cat

Originally from Thailand, the striking Siamese cat is a beautiful breed that has captivated people for centuries. She is known for her lean body structure and distinctive features, as well as her social and vocal nature. Some Siamese cats are susceptible to dental diseases and acute respiratory viral infections, but otherwise the breed does not have any serious health problems.

The average lifespan of a Siamese cat is 12 to 20 years.

Australian smoke

Representatives of this type of cat live quite a long time - 18-20 years. And this is not at all surprising, just look at the lifestyle of smoky beauties. They never show aggression and are in a good mood most of the time. The pet loves to be at home and never asks to go outside. He is not picky about food and does not cause any inconvenience to the owner. This breed has strong immunity and does not suffer from genetic diseases. All ailments and serious health problems will be the result of improper care. The animal is prone to obesity, diabetes and digestive problems, so it is worth paying attention to nutrition so that your cat lives as long as possible.

Burma

Instagram @franny_the_burmese

The Burmese is originally a cross between a small brown Burmese cat and a Siamese cat. The breed is playful, sociable and adventurous. Although Burmese cats generally rarely get sick, they are predisposed to cranial deformities, as well as glaucoma.

The average life expectancy of a Burmese is between 16 and 18 years.

Savannah

Instagram @nalathesavannah_bellathebengal

Part African Serval and part domestic cat, the Savannah is recommended for experienced owners only. Even though Savannah cats are not fully domesticated, they can be friendly with people. They tend to have an unpredictable, active and courageous character.

The hybrid breed generally rarely gets sick and has an average lifespan of 12 to 20 years.

Statistical summary

The following breeds are considered to have the longest life span among cats:

Siamese breed - up to 20 years. Longevity is due to the indigenous nature of the breed; selection was carried out within the framework of consolidating a common external standard. The breed is sociable, loving, attached to the family and has a small number of hereditary diseases that can be controlled.
Burmese cat (Burma) – 16-18 years old. Close to the Siamese breed not only genetically, but also in behavioral qualities. There are very few hereditary diseases, and with proper mating, problems can only occur with the eyes.
Savannah - up to 20 years. A complex breed of not quite domestic cats, obtained from crossing a wild serval and domestic cats of a suitable color. The character of an adult savannah is active, but you should always remember that the animal has very close wild roots and in games the animal can forget itself and release its claws or bite seriously. Education, socialization and constant presence are the key to not just a long, but also a happy life next to such a cat.
Egyptian Mau - up to 18 years old. This is a long-lived cat from Egypt, where it was formed as a breed back in the days of the pharaohs. If you are lucky and in breeding work individuals with heart problems were culled, then you can forget about other diseases in the Mau.
Balinese cat – up to 20 years old. In truth, the Balinese is a long-haired Siamese cat. Therefore, the longevity of the furry beauty has been inherited from ancient times.
Russian Blue – up to 20 years. For the long life of the gray grace with the purring function, it is important to follow a diet. The breed is prone to developing kidney stones, so the diet should always be formulated to account for this.
American Shorthair – up to 20 years. Initially, the main task of cats sailing to a new continent was simply to survive on a long journey. Upon arrival, the question of survival arose with renewed vigor, because America, empty at that time, could not feed rats and garbage from the streets, like Europe. Obviously, only the strongest individuals survived, gradually forming a new breed line from all kinds of cats of the old world. The strong animal turned out to be very nice and tenacious, which cannot but please the owners of the breed.

Egyptian Mau

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Named after ancient Egyptian art, the Egyptian Mau is a beautiful cat with a distinctive spotted coat. These cats tend to be comfortable around people, making themselves an integral part of the family and expecting to be treated the same.

While some are susceptible to heart disease, the average life expectancy of the Egyptian Mau is 12 to 15 years.

How to extend a cat's life

To give your cat a long and happy life next to you, follow these simple rules.

High-quality balanced nutrition

Choose food of at least premium class with a high protein content.
Cats are predators. They need meat.
Limit the content of carbohydrates and lactose in your cat's diet; adult animals do not digest them well.
Make sure your cat's diet contains all the necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Eliminate foods from the diet that should not be given to cats.
Follow a special therapeutic diet if your veterinarian has prescribed it for your cat.
Monitor not only the quality of food, but also the size of portions. Don't go hungry, don't overfeed.
Provide 24/7 access to clean water.

What not to give to cats:

fatty meat (pork), smoked meats, canned food;
milk – due to lactose intolerance;
tubular bones - can injure the stomach and intestines;
boiled potatoes - starch is not absorbed;
legumes (beans, peas) – cause flatulence;
river fish – causes vitamin deficiency, increases the risk of urolithiasis;
dog food – lack of vitamins and microelements;
liver – disturbance of intestinal motility.

Read: What you should not feed your cat.

Pet health and condition

Don't skip routine checkups with your veterinarian.
Follow your vaccination schedule strictly.
Follow all doctor's orders.
Regularly carry out antiparasitic treatment against internal and external parasites.
Be attentive to your pets, contact your veterinarian if there are any changes in the cat’s behavior or condition.

Sufficient physical activity

Play with your pet regularly.
Make sure your cat has toys and play equipment.
Walk on a leash or harness.

Hygienic norms and rules

Regularly care for your cat's teeth, ears, and claws.
Brush your pet and bathe if necessary.
Keep your pet's bowls, tray, bed, and habitat clean.

Regulation of sexual desire and pregnancy

Avoid accidental matings.
Spay/neuter the animal if you do not plan to have offspring.

Comfortable living conditions

Organize a comfortable bed (house).
Avoid drafts in the animal's habitat.
Monitor the temperature. Avoid dampness, cold and excessive heat in the premises where the cat is kept.

Safety

Avoid self-walking.
Keep toxic substances, household chemicals, poisons, and chemicals out of reach of the animal.
Keep the trash can closed to prevent your cat from getting into it.
Keep windows and balcony doors closed. Install anti-cat bars.
Avoid poisonous houseplants.
Make sure that the animal does not fall from a height.

Your love, attention and care are the best means of extending a cat’s life.

Balinese

Instagram @tiki_the_troublemaker

The Balinese breed probably arose as a result of a spontaneous mutation of the long-haired Siamese. The only significant difference between the two breeds is the length of the coat. Like Siamese cats, the Balinese is friendly, energetic and talkative. He loves to be involved in everything at home.

The average life expectancy of the Balinese breed is from 12 to 20 years.

Russian blue

Instagram @perfect.cat

The Russian Blue is a quiet and rather reserved cat that tends to love its family without clinging to them. You will often find this cat relaxing in a sunny area. The breed is prone to developing bladder stones as well as vision problems.

The average lifespan of the Russian Blue breed is 15 to 20 years.

Record-breaking cats for life expectancy

Among all the rules there is always an exception. Such exceptions sometimes include cats, whose life length goes beyond the limits provided by nature. Such centenarians are included in the Guinness Book of Records. First place was unconditionally taken by the oldest cat named Puff: 38 years of cat life. There lived a cat grandmother in Texas.

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Also interesting is the cat, who was born at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1903, and lived happily in the southwest of England for 36 years. He died the next day after his last birthday.

Several more cats were among the record holders; one feline was 30 years old, the other was 23. Today, the longest-living cat among the meowing cats lives in Melbourne, Australia, and goes by the name Catalina. The Burmese beauty began her life in the 20th century and is 35 years old this year.

So the formula for long life for cats consists of the following set of factors: a loving owner plus health care plus the qualities of the breed.

Bombay

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The Bombay was bred to make the breed look like a miniature panther. These cats are usually calm and affectionate. They love to play, but are very happy curled up on the lap of their loved one. The breed is prone to cardiovascular disease and problems with excessive tearing.

The average lifespan of Bombay cats is between 12 and 16 years.

Average lifespan of cats

The average lifespan of a domestic cat is 9 -17 years.

But there are cats that significantly exceed this threshold.

What determines the lifespan of a cat?

Lifestyle (home, street, self-walking).
Health status (genetic pathologies, timely/untimely detection of diseases and their treatment).
Diet (feed quality, regularity).
Breed. There are long-lived breeds.
Floor. Cats live longer than cats.
Controlled/uncontrolled pregnancy (planned matings, castration, sterilization).
Weight (obesity, wasting).
Level of physical activity.

The maximum lifespan of a cat is 22-30 years. But there are long-lived cats who have lived longer than this period.

American Shorthair

Instagram @ mereubi

The American Shorthair is popular among families with children due to its playful and calm nature. These cats usually do not require much attention. They value interactive play and socialization. Most do not usually get sick, but they may develop heart disease.

The American Shorthair breed has an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Rating of cats and long-lived cats

Some owners take special care of their pets, which helps the latter live longer than the rest of their relatives. Next we will talk about them.

Lucy

In 2011, it turned out that the Thomas family had a cat named Lucy, whose age had exceeded 40—by human standards, it is 180 years old. When the cat was about two years old (in 1972), she was picked up on the street near a store. The animal lives in the UK, but it cannot yet get into the Guinness Book of Records, since its age has not been confirmed. Until recently. According to the latest data published in 2021, Lucy was doing well and continued to keep mice out of the house, despite her lack of hearing. It is unknown whether the cat is alive now.

Cream Puff

This Sphynx pussy lived exactly 38 years and 3 days. The centenarian was a pupil of Texas resident Jake Perry. In the same family, the cat Granpa Rex Alen, a sphinx breed, found refuge and lived a little less - 34 years and 2 months. This cat and cat were popular, parties were held in their honor, and they, in turn, feasted on broccoli, bacon and coffee. According to some experts, the secret of animal longevity is hidden in these products.

Natmeg

This cat with a rather sad, deep look was picked up literally on the street by the spouses Diz and Ian at the age of five. His fur hung in clumps, and endless ulcers were visible on his body. But the care of the spouses overcame all illnesses. In 2021, the animal died of heart failure, having lived a happy life in the circle of loving people.

Video: a few minutes from the life of Natmega

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4t6HcwAnqM8

Spike

This cat lived exactly 30 years. At the age of 19, he was injured in a fight with a dog, as a result of which the animal underwent throat surgery. Doctors did not give a positive prognosis, but the cat survived, which may have been helped by healthy food and fresh air. On his last birthday, Spike feasted on chicken prepared according to his mistress's special recipe.

Haze

The cat's owner, Irina Markina, says that, most likely, her pet lived for more than 28 years because her parents gave her good genes. The animal led a normal cat lifestyle and suffered a heart attack. It is difficult to confirm the age of the cat, since the owner does not have documents for the pet. However, the owner’s nephew is the same age as the cat, and the family still has photographs of him and the pet together. There is no information about whether the cat is alive now. Smoky had a good character and got along well with the pit bull who lived in the same area with her.

Blackie

This cat, which survived 3 of its litters, became the record holder for longevity in 2010 (at 25 years old). The latest information is from 2021. They indicate that the cat’s fur is shedding and its vision is deteriorating, but the pet is still living a full life. The cat's owner is sure that such a long life span is explained by his love for the animal.

Velveteen

A cat named Velvet, who lives in America, celebrated his 27th birthday in August 2016 - this is the latest information about the animal. His owners gave interviews that the cat eats well, walks a lot, generally leads a healthy lifestyle and receives love and care from his loved ones. This, in their opinion, is the main secret of a pet’s longevity.

Poppy

This cat, who lived for 24 years, died in 2014. The Guinness Book of World Records lists her as the oldest living cat on the globe. The animal's age is equivalent to 114 years of human life. Poppy was born in 1990 in Bournemouth, the daughter of Jackie Vast.

Murka

This cat, which died at the age of 20, is included in the Russian Book of Records. She lived in Star City, where back in 1985 the Trunovs found her under the door of their apartment. The cat never left the house, only fell out of the window once. One day the owner took her with her, which is why the pet had a real fit with foam at the mouth. The woman had to return the cat home. It is possible that the secret of this animal's longevity lies in its quiet and peaceful life in one place.

Roxana

The Russian Book of Records records the name of this cat, which lived to be 19 years old. Her owner is Maria Kuznetsova from the Sverdlovsk region. Her pet Persian has lost all her teeth, but hears and sees well. Over time, the cat turned from an easy-going cat into a little capricious, touchy, recognizing only members of its family. This can be attributed to the animal's advanced age. It is unknown whether the cat is alive now, but in 2014 she turned 20 years old.

India

This cat died in 2009 at the age of 18 and was the pet of US President George W. Bush and his wife. The American Shorthair was a gift for twins Barbara and Jenny Bush on their ninth birthday. Their cat had a calm and easy-going disposition. Her family loved her dearly, which may have been the reason for her longevity.

Residents of India were deeply outraged by the decision of the US President's family to name a cat after their country. That's why they staged a strike. In fact, the animal was named after baseball player El Indio.

Chernyshka

This cat died at the age of 16, a few days short of her 17th birthday. She lived in Irkutsk with her owner Olga Ponomareva. This yard breed animal led a typical lifestyle for cats.

It turns out that the oldest pet is a cat named Lucy. However, the owners do not have documents confirming her age. And the youngest centenarian is recognized as the pet Chernyshka, who died in Russia.

Sphinx

The Sphynx can be expensive to care for. Their lack of fur means that these cats often need to wear clothing to keep warm in cool weather. They should be washed frequently to remove excess oil from the skin. The breed is prone to heart disease, neurological problems and skin diseases.

Average life expectancy is 10 to 15 years.

Long-lived cat breeds

To ensure that your cat pleases you with its presence for as long as possible, choose a pet that belongs to one of the long-lived breeds.

TOP 10 long-lived cats:

European Shorthair – 15-22.
American Shorthair – 15-20.
Australian smoky - 14-19.
Norwegian Forest – 12-18.
Turkish Angora – 12-18.
Himalayan cat – 15-17.
British Shorthair – 12-17.
Ragdoll – 12-17.
Turkish van – 12-17.
Savannah – 12-17.