The lifespan of cats exceeds the average lifespan of many domestic animals: the average cat, with proper care, can easily live up to 15 years, and some pets exceed the mark of 20 years. At the same time, no one can guarantee that your pet will live longer than 20 years. The decisive factors influencing life expectancy are nutrition, living conditions, and genetics also play a huge role. Thus, by choosing a pet from the breeds below, you increase the chance that it will live a very long cat life with you.
!Advice! In order for your pet to live as long as possible, feed your cat properly, vaccinate against the 3 most dangerous cat diseases and keep your purring cat at home - many pets die from injuries, dogs and poisoning with chemicals and poisons.
Siamese/Thai.
Siamese cats are a naturally formed breed that has attracted the attention of people since ancient times. She is known for her exotic coloring, as well as her loud voice and love of interacting with people. Some Siamese cats are prone to dental problems and respiratory problems, but otherwise the breed has no serious health problems. The average life expectancy is 15 to 20 years .
About the oldest cat
The most famous and oldest cat, who lived 38 years and 3 days, is Cream Puff. According to 2010 data, she was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest living cat (08/03/1967 - 08/06/2005).
The cat Granpa, born in Paris, lived 34 years and two months (1964 - 1998). His result was also registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest living cat. 7 years later, his record was broken by Cream Puff.
Sources:
https://uf.ru/article/otdih_i_dosug/u17641/2019/08/27/285757 https://mrkot.com/koty-dolgozhiteli https://pets2.me/bok/1033-top-10-porod- kotov-dolgozhiteley-v-mire.html
Burma.
The Burmese originated as a cross between a small brown-colored Burmese cat and a Siamese cat. This is a very playful, sociable and adventurous cat. Although the breed is generally healthy, it is predisposed to congenital deformities of the skull, as well as glaucoma. Despite these problems, the average Burmese life expectancy is between 16 and 18 years .
Savannah.
The Savannah is a cross between a serval and a domesticated cat and is only recommended for experienced owners. Even though Savannahs are not fully domesticated, they can make a great friend. But it must be remembered that they, as a rule, have an unpredictable, active and courageous character. This hybrid breed generally has no serious health problems and can live an average of 12 to 20 years .
Mitz Matz - 33 years old
It is possible that Mitz Matz would have lived longer if he had not been euthanized by mistake in Switzerland. The cat was considered the oldest representative of the “felines”; he lived for 33 years. Veterinarians euthanized him, mistaking him for a stray animal, although this was not the case. For a long time, this fluffy cat lived at the railway station in the Tegervilen commune - the station employees loved Mitz Matz, took care of him and fed him.
One day Mitz Matz decided to go for a walk outside the station - a woman passing by took the cat to the veterinarian, mistaking him for a stray. After examining the animal, the clinic specialist decided to euthanize the cat. The news came as a shock to those who cared for Mitz Matz. The veterinary hospital staff did not feel guilty, reporting that the cat was already very old: he could hardly see, his ears and teeth hurt.
Egyptian Mau.
Named after its country of origin (Mau is a cat in the language of Ancient Egypt), the Egyptian Mau is a beautiful cat with distinctive spots on its coat. These cats tend to be comfortable with people, making them an integral part of the family. While some are prone to heart problems, the average life expectancy of the breed is over 15 years .
How to extend the life of a pet?
A cat that has lived 16 years can be compared to a very elderly 80-year-old person. To increase the life expectancy of cats, you need to know and do several important things:
- Feed your pet correctly. It should be a balanced feed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Too fatty and salty food from the table will definitely not improve your cat’s health and will not prolong its life. But high-quality food will help keep your cat active and healthy for many years.
- It is imperative to check whether your pet has fresh water. Place several bowls of drinking water around the house. If possible, pamper your furry beauty with wet food.
- Keep bowls and trays clean. This preventive measure can prevent parasitic and infectious diseases, and can also help relieve your cat of unnecessary stress - cats love cleanliness. Remember that in a house where several cats live, each should have its own litter box and 1 additional one.
- Undergo routine examinations with a veterinarian and sterilize the animal. It is best to consult with a specialist about the most appropriate vaccination schedule, preventive treatments, and the desired age of sterilization. Spayed and neutered cats actually live longer because they are less likely to run away from their owners, less likely to get into fights with other animals, they have a lower risk of developing chronic viral infections (feline viral leukemia and feline viral immunodeficiency), and they have a lower risk of developing certain forms of neoplasms etc. And vaccinations and regular treatments against external and internal parasites help protect your pet from many diseases.
- Monitor the cat’s health, protect it from unnecessary stress associated, for example, with moving, repairs, and so on. Stress is an important factor in the development of urinary tract diseases in cats!
- Allow your cat to lead an active lifestyle. These animals are inquisitive and energetic, so any game is suitable for them: with a ball, mouse, feather, laser pointer. Houses, tunnels, passages, special shelves - all this stimulates your pet’s movements around the apartment. A cat that spends most of its time on the couch runs the risk of gaining excess weight, and so will others.
- Don't let her roam unattended. A domestic cat faces a lot of dangers on the street in the form of scattered rodent poison, dog attacks, or the risk of being hit by a car.
- Give a lot of attention and love. After all, the owners themselves can influence how many years cats live at home. Animals feel comfortable when they are petted, talked to and played with, without being scolded or punished.
Ragdoll.
Calm and well-mannered, the Ragdoll usually loves its owners and follows them everywhere. This breed also loves to lie for a long time in the arms of its owners. Ragdolls are a generally healthy breed, but some purrs are prone to bladder stones and heart disease. Despite this, the average lifespan of a ragdoll is more than 15 years .
Balinese cat (Balinese).
The Balinese cat probably arose from a spontaneous mutation in the Siamese, which resulted in the breed having long hair. Currently, the only significant difference between the two breeds is the length of the coat. Like Siamese, Balinese are friendly, energetic and love to “chat” with their owner. The pet always wants to be involved in the affairs of the house. The average lifespan of the breed is 12 to 20 years .
Top 10 long-lived cat breeds in the world
It's no secret that a pet eventually becomes a real member of the family. We are proud of his little achievements, delighted with the skills he has mastered, we love how he reciprocates our expressions of care and love, and we really want this little animal to stay with us longer. Unfortunately, not all pets can boast of a long life expectancy, but there are some long-living cat breeds. So let's find out more about cats that live long.
Russian blue.
The Russian Blue is a quiet and rather reserved cat that loves its family but does not like to be intrusive. She loves to relax in the sun or watch her domain from the highest point she can find. The breed is prone to developing bladder stones and is also susceptible to vision problems, but with proper care has an average lifespan of 14 to 20 years .
Grendpa Rex Allen - 34 years old
A cat born in 1964 has a very interesting name. In 1996, he died at the age of 34. The Sphynx was found on the street and brought to the Travis County shelter (located in Texas), from where he was taken by cat lover Jake Perry in the 70s. He tried to find the owners of the purebred cat - he succeeded, but Madame Sulinaberg went to Paris without finding her pet in the area (she accidentally forgot to close the front door when leaving the house. The cat ran out at that moment). She agreed for the cat to stay with Jake.
Grendpa Rex Allen could only dream of such an owner! Jake always prepared his favorite food (for breakfast, the cat loved scrambled eggs and ham, asparagus and coffee). The long-lived cat appeared on television, in newspapers, and feasts were held on the occasion of his birthday. Rex Allen lived a long, rich life!
Bombay cat.
The Bombay cat was bred to look like a miniature panther, and breeders have generally been successful in achieving the desired appearance. These cats tend to have a calm and affectionate nature. They love to play, but they are also very happy when curled up in the lap of their loved one. The breed is prone to respiratory problems due to its short muzzle, as well as cardiovascular disease and excessive tearing. The average lifespan of the breed is about 16 years .
Missan - 34 years old
Missan's owner, Osa Vikberg, found her pet in the south of Sweden, near the town of Karlskoga, in 1985, when he was still a very small kitten. Years passed, the cat grew, remaining healthy. The owner at that time did not understand that her cat was a record holder! But one day Osa read a passage in the newspaper, which spoke with admiration about a cat younger than Missan. Then the owner thought that her pet also has the right to claim the title of “the oldest cat”... The owner said that Missan is a loner, she is shy, but loves dogs.
American Shorthair.
The American Shorthair, a breed originating from the common domestic shorthair cat in America, is popular among families with children due to its playful and calm nature. These cats tend to entertain themselves well and do not require much attention. But they also value socialization with their owner and playing together. Most of them do not have any general predispositions, but may be susceptible to heart disease. The breed has an average lifespan of 14 to 20 years .
Sphinx.
The Sphynx is a cat that requires increased costs and attention from its owner. Being hairless, cats of this breed often need clothing to keep them warm in cool weather. In addition, they should be washed frequently to remove traces of sweat from the skin. The breed is prone to heart disease, central nervous system and skin diseases. But with proper care, the average life expectancy will exceed 15 years .
Rare cockatoo and Churchill parrot
The lifespan of parrots depends primarily on their species. Small parrots (for example, budgerigars) live about 10-15 years. Medium-sized birds can live from 20 to 30 years. The actual life span of large parrots is not precisely determined. According to some reports, some individuals can live up to 100 years or more.
Photo: Wikipedia / Nimesh M
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest parrot living in captivity died in 2016. It was a pink cockatoo named Cookie who lived at the Brookfield Zoo (Chicago, Illinois, USA). The feathered centenarian was 83 years old. Kuki came to the zoo in 1934. He was brought here from Sydney's Taronga Zoo when he was one year old. Kuki was a member of a rare species of cockatoo - the Inca. In the wild, these birds are found only on one continent - Australia. They can be recognized by their white-yellow-red crest, which reaches 17 centimeters in height, pink head and white wings.
However, there is another parrot that has become a legend thanks not only to its phenomenally long life, but also to rumors about possible famous owners. This is a blue and yellow female macaw named Charlie who lived at a garden center in Reigate, Surrey, UK. Ara became famous after The Daily Mirror published an article about her in January 2004, claiming that Charlie was born on January 1, 1899 and lived to be 105 years old.
In addition, many media outlets claimed that in 1938, Charlie allegedly belonged to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. These rumors were fueled by pet store owner Peter Oram, who, according to him, bought the bird in 1965. Orem claimed that Churchill taught the parrot to use obscene language and the parrot shouted curses at Adolf Hitler until his old age.
However, in 2004, Churchill’s daughter denied this information. She confirmed that the Prime Minister did keep a similar parrot, but it was a completely different bird.
