When Are Cats Considered Old
Cats go through six life stages as they grow, and they start to be considered old when they reach the mature stage at age seven. However, they typically don’t start slowing down until they reach the ‘senior’ stage at 11 years old. The six life stages of a cat are:
- Kitten This is when cats grow quickest and learn the most about what is safe and unsafe in their environment. A six-month-old kitten is 10 years old in human years
- Cats grow to their full size during this period and continue learning important skills such as playing/hunting. A two-year-old cat is 24 in human years
- Prime This is when cats are in the prime of their lives and usually at their peak of physical fitness. This period covers age 24-40 in human years
- Mature Cats start to be considered old when they reach this stage, and may start to slow down a bit and put on weight. This is when theyre the human equivalent of being in their mid-40s to mid-50s
- Senior At 14 cats reach the human age of 70, so they may not be as agile as they used to be and their health will need monitoring closely
- Super senior/geriatric Some cats will reach this stage still with the energy of a kitten, but others will prefer a slower pace of life with lots of comfy spots for snoozing. At 15 years old theyre 76 in human years and reach 100 in human years when theyre 21
Domestic Shorthair Cat Lifespan
According to most reliable resources, the average lifespan of a domestic shorthair cat is around 13 years. Some resources are more specific, listing 12 to 14 years. In fact, lifespans can vary significantly. Unlike pedigree breeds like the American Shorthair or British Shorthair, its hard to make specific predictions about domestic shorthairs. Much depends on how the cat is looked after, from the beginning of their lives through to their senior years.
Good care starts in kittenhood. Kittens should stay with their mother until theyre at least 12 weeks old, preferably sixteen. They should be spayed or neutered as soon as theyre big enough. Early de-sexing may be performed when the cat is as young as six to eight weeks common among breeders, who dont want to hand over an entire cat. Many vets prefer to wait until the cat is around five months old. If you do wait, you will need to make absolutely certain that male and female cats are kept separate once they are old enough to breed. For females, this is around four months.
Kittens should receive their scheduled vaccinations in order to prevent disease. All these vaccines are well-tested, safe and effective. Your vet should look over the kittens shortly after you get them to make sure theyre healthy and have no parasites or infections.
The Average Lifespan Of Cats Vs Dogs
Owning a cat not only is a major privilege, it’s also a serious commitment and responsibility. After all, these fluffy beauties are living, breathing creatures. They require a lot of care that ranges from frequent feedings to scheduling of veterinary appointments. Indoor cats generally have longer lifespans than outdoor cats do.
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Breed And Genetics Can Impact A Cats Lifespan
Breed and genetic makeup can impact a cats lifespan, just like it can influence their size, coat, and physical attributes. Purebred cats are known to have a shorter life expectancy than mixed breeds due to selective breeding. And some cats can inherit health problems passed down from their parents due to breeding or genetics.
How Long Do Cats Live
- Domestic cats can live for up to 20 years
- Factors such as diet, healthcare and environment can have an impact
- Neutered cats tend to live longer
- Cats have six key life stages which can help to understand certain health/behavioural problems
Understanding your cat can take time. Cats have a complex set of behaviours that can leave even the most experienced cat owner baffled.
However, the one question that can be answered with some certainty is how long on average a cat can live.
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Indoor Cats Versus Outdoor Cats
Whether your cat resides completely indoors or goes in and out throughout the day can have more of an impact on their lifespan than some cat owners may realize. There are some more obvious reasons why indoor cats live longer lives than their outdoor counterparts. Some that you may already be able to guess.
Most obviously, indoor cats have easier access to food and freshwater than outdoor cats do more often than not. Whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat, you probably still take them for their needed cat vaccinations.
Even with proper vaccines, outdoor cats are exposed to far more dangers than indoor cats lives are. Dangers that vaccines and other medicines cannot protect them from. A few of the lifespan threatening dangers that outdoor cats may encounter include ticks, cars, other animals, and many other stressful encounters that can shorten a cats lifespan.
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 catâs doting family reported feeding him an unusual diet including such items as asparagus and heavy cream.
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When Does A Tabby Cat Become A Kitten
Size 1 Newborn Kittens. The first stage of any cats life is the newborn kitten stage. 2 Two To Six Months Old. 3 Six Months To Ten Months Old. 4 Eleven Months To Twelve Months Old. 5 Prime Years Of Cat Life. 6 Later Years Of Cat Life. 7 Senior Years Of Cat Life. 8 Common Questions About Tabby Cat Growth.
Cat Breeds With The Longest Lifespans
While it’s not uncommon for cats to reach 15 years old, some cat breeds stand out as long-lived companions. There’s no guarantee that your cat will live into its 20s, as nature and nurture both are determining factors. But picking a cat breed with a longer lifespan and taking great care of your cat improves your odds of having a loving feline for many years.
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Thanks To Better Care And Veterinary Treatments Our Pet Cats Are Living Longer Than Ever Before But What Is A Cats Average Lifespan
If youve got a pet cat, or are thinking about getting one, you might be wondering how long do pet cats live for in human years?
A cats life expectancy will depend on many factors, including health, diet and their environment, but the average lifespan for a domestic cat is about 12-14 years. However, some pet cats can live to be around 20 years old.
The world record for the oldest cat is held by Crème Puff, a cat from Texas in the USA who lived to be 38 years and three days old, but thats incredibly rare!
The good news is that advances in veterinary care and awareness of good cat welfare mean that pet cats are living longer than they used to. According to our Cats and Their Stats 2020 report, almost half of the UKs owned cats are considered old.
Sadly though, cats in our care aged 11 years and older take an average of one month to find their new forever homes, over three times longer than kittens who take just eight days.
To show that these senior kitizens still have a lot to give, Cats Protection is launching Mature Moggies Day on 16 June, encouraging people to share inspiring stories of their older cats with #MatureMoggiesDay.
Have You Ever Wondered How Long Do Cats Live For
Theres a familiar tale youve probably heard aboutthe Nine Lives of a Cat. This common bedtime story has been told by parents for almost a hundred years. Written by Charles Bennet, this seemingly dark story, tells the tale of a sweet kitty who was able to escape death nine times.
Putting aside the crude humor depicted in this storywouldnt it be great if our cats had nine lives? So, if cats dont have nine lives, how long do cats live for?
Although your feline friend cant reach a ripe old age of 90 years! They can still live for a pretty long time. Veterinarians and long-time cat enthusiasts state that domestic cats can live up to 16 years old. In fact, many well-cared for felines can live until 19 years old.
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How Long Do Outside Cats Live
A large percentage of domestic cats in the UK live outdoors. This means theyre allowed to wander around outside, and generally come and go as they please. Unfortunately, while this way of living certainly has its perks, it also shortens their life expectancy. This is because they are exposed to various risks, including being hit on the road and attacks from other animals. Depending on where it lives, an outdoor cat will have an average lifespan of between two and five years.
The Life Expectancy Of Indoor Cats
Good news for cat lovers: Cats are living longer lives than ever thanks to better nutrition and advances in medical care. So just how long do indoor cats live?
The short answer, according to the ASPCA, is 13 to 17 years. Thats the average for all cats kept indoors, but there are many variables that can shorten or lengthen a cats life.
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What Can You Do To Extend The Average Lifespan Of A Cat Cuddles Count
Perhaps the easiest and most enjoyable way to help extend the average lifespan of a cat is simply to give him lots of attention and cuddles. Like humans, cats thrive when theyre given plenty of affection and loving care. Still, even if your feline friend vastly surpasses the average lifespan of a cat and lives, like my Bubba Lee Kinsey, to be a wizened old man, odds are it still wont be long enough.
Tell us: How old was the oldest cat youve ever had or met?
Which Cat Breed Lives The Longest
They say the Manx and Siamese are the breeds that, on average, live the longest but that surely wasnt the breed of the oldest cat on record. Below is a cat breed lifespan chart from PetCareRX:
| Breeds |
| 12-17 |
Having a pet carries a big responsibility.
Certainly, giving her the best life is a top priority. Keeping your cat indoors is the best way to ensure she has a good quality of life.
As long as he has plenty of stimulation and opportunities to exercise, it is the wisest choice.
And with a little creativity and flexibility, you can help almost any cat live a longer, happier, healthier life.
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Health Conditions Affecting Domestic Shorthair Cats
The good news is that most Domestic Shorthair cats are extremely healthy. Unlike many purebred cat breeds, theyre not predisposed to any particular diseases or illnesses. Thats not to say that they wont suffer from any health conditions, but the likelihood is far lower compared to many purebred cats.
Since the gene pool of any Domestic Shorthair cat is far larger than most purebred cats, the chances of them suffering from hereditary conditions are reduced. If both parent cats suffer from the same health conditions, as is the case with certain purebred varieties, the chances of the kittens suffering from the same condition are increased. As Domestic Shorthair cats often have different purebred parents, though, theres less chance of a health condition being passed on.
That said, its still important to get your kittens health tested by their breeder, so you can feel reassured that theyre as healthy as possible.
For any cat breed, it is important to keep up a regular schedule of annual vet checks so your cat can stay up to date with their annual vaccinations and your vet can give them a clean bill of health. Depending on the age of your cat, they may need slightly different types of care, both at home and from vet checks.
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.
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Cat Lifestyle And Lifespan
Some cats are considered indoor pets, others are strictly outdoor pets, and others still will be indoor/outdoor pets that split their time between environments. The daily risks that outdoor cats take are much higher than those of an indoor cat, so the lifespan of an outdoor cat is often cut short. Avoiding getting hit by vehicles, hurt by wild animals and eating toxins, finding food, surviving the elements, and being exposed to various parasites and diseases may all be daily challenges for an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat. The more time a cat spends outside, the greater the risk is of an injury or illness from that environment.
Indoor cats are not exposed to as many risks since they are sheltered inside a secure home. Wild animals and vehicles pose no threats to an indoor cat, their diet is typically controlled, and toxin, parasite, and disease exposures are lessened, especially if they are vaccinated and on preventative medications.
The same is true for big cats like lions, tigers, ocelots, and other wild cats. These cats that reside in zoos often outlive their wild counterparts.
What Is Considered Old For A Cat
There is no hard and fast rule about when a cat is considered old. Vets consider cats to be middle-aged from about 5 years old, though cats themselves may show few signs of being aged until they reach their teens. Definite age-related changes occur in the cats body from about 7 years.
There is no hard and fast rule about when a cat is considered old. Vets consider cats to be middle-aged from about 5 years old, though cats themselves may show few signs of being aged until they reach their teens. Definite age-related changes occur in the cats body from about 7 years.
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Average Lifespan Of A Cat The Basics
In the wild, the average lifespan of a cat is anywhere from 2 to 16 years. A house cat has a longer average lifespan of 12 to 18 years, though its not uncommon for domestic kitties to live into their 20s. According to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat ever, named Creme Puff, lived to be 38 years old. Keeping in mind that cats are considered seniors when theyre approximately 7 years old, the average lifespan of a cat contains a whole lot of golden 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. Thatâs a little more than 14 cat years.
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Longest Living Pets: Meet The Oldest Cat In The World
Sometimes, some kitties do get nine lives. There is an incredible list of feline friends whove made their owners proud, by winning the Guinness World Book of Records for the Worlds Oldest Cat!
So, who are these famous cats that were able to live for so long?
Today, Rubble is considered the Worlds Oldest Cat alive. Rubble the cat is currently 31 years old!
Life Expectancy Of Dogs And Cats
We hope our pets will be a part of our lives for many, many years but the fact is that the average life expectancy is 10-12 years for dogs and 10-14 years for cats. Older pets have very specific needs and are particularly susceptible in later years to cancer, arthritis, and dental disease. Supplementing your pet’s diet with antioxidants, phytonutrients, and Omega 3 fatty acids will help support brain function and minimize behavior changes as your pet ages.
- Almost half of senior dogs develop cancer and a third will die from it.
- Arthritis, dental disease, and constipation are common in senior dogs and cats.
A giant-breed dog is a senior pet at six years of age, but a medium-sized dog is a senior at eight years of age. The average dog lives 10-12 years. Dogs that have good nutrition, daily care at home, and veterinary care, live the longest. Dogs that are allowed to roam and are not confined to their home and yard, and dogs that remain sexually intact do not live as long.
Cats have been documented to live over 30 years. In the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest cat is 34-36 years old. In human years, a 30-year-old cat is over 130, and a 34-36-year-old cat is between 150-160. In Scotland, a cat is reported to have lived to be over 40 years old.
Omega 3 fatty acids, joint supplements, and vitamins are recommended to help your pet achieve maximum life expectancy.
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