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by jnegrl on October 17th, 2005

jnegrl

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What is the approximate expected life span of a healthy indoor cat?

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  • by AntigoneRising on January 31st, 2007

    AntigoneRising

    15-17 years. Whether or not the cat is allowed outdoors can make a huge difference.


    http://www.cathealth.com/ageHumanyrs.htm

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  • by SaraZita on January 31st, 2007

    SaraZita

    If they are indoor only they can live up to 22. If they are outdoor-5-12 years.

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  • by biglittlebaby on February 7th, 2007

    biglittlebaby

    My cat just passed away, it was 21, but usually they live between 10-17 years.

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  • by pagan-babe on February 7th, 2007

    pagan-babe

    A cat can live up to about 22 years,a cat that goes out could have any life span as there are consequences that could alter their lifespan.
    Eg getting knocked down,dog getting them etc etc

    A indoor cat has less chances of getting diseases ect therefpore stands a better chance of a longer life

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  • by albert nonymous "A" nonymous for short. on April 2nd, 2008

    albert nonymous

    I have a friend who is 38 years old and she got her cat when she was 12. It's still alive so I guess that makes the cat 26 now.
    I can't imagine how she is going to take it when her cat finally goes.
    She has had it since she was a little girl.
    It will be hard for her, She really loves that cat.

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  • by debsmooth on February 1st, 2007

    debsmooth

    Met a 20 year old cat once. Looked mummified. A bit Joan Rivers-ish.

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  • by robbonz on October 25th, 2005

    robbonz

    One site said 17.5 years, the other said 8 to 16 and both seemed authoritative. Both also said that a cat that lives permanently outdoors can only expect about 3 or 4 years.

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  • by my2kids on February 8th, 2007

    my2kids

    well the cats that live around where i live, last too long. they produce kittens like cockroaches lay eggs. and the spray everywhere and are covered in fleas.

    sorry that didnt really answer your question!

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  • by Squarehead on February 1st, 2007

    Squarehead

    Nine lives. 9. :]

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  • by CousinVinny on January 31st, 2007

    CousinVinny

    Too long!

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  • by mrblanche on May 31st, 2006

    mrblanche

    The average indoor cat is said to live about 16 years. The AVERAGE life of an outdoor cat is less than 1 year, but some live to ripe old ages, too.

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  • by Diana Block on January 28th, 2006

    Diana Block

    Sorry! my Cleo decided she wanted to type and sent the message before I was done.

    Factors determining life span include:
    1. Breed - certain breeds carry inherent health problems while mutts tend to be stronger and more resistant to health problems
    2. Nutrition - feeding the right type of high quality food for the appropriate stage or health needs (your vet should advise of dietary changes according to health & stage of life)
    3. Exercise (the happiest cats are the ones that play - adequate toys, catnip & another furry buddy to keep him/her company when human parent isn't home) - excess weight can cause heart and joint problems.
    4. Special attention to aging felines - taking your cat into the vet for annual checkup to make sure he/she's aging well

    I tell anyone who adopts a kitten to expect a 15 - 20 year commitment.

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  • by lynnenorth on December 8th, 2005

    lynnenorth

    An entirely indoor cat *can* live over 20 years, although most will only reach their late teens.

    I have personally known two cats who lived to age 26 and 24, respectively, although they were both quite feeble towards the end. However, they were unusual.

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  • by keresyk on August 5th, 2008

    keresyk

    An indoor cat might have more years, but an outdoor cat has a better quality of life (depending on where you live). I live in the country and all my cats have been outdoor/indoor cats. They regularly catch mice/rats/rabbits and have an active lifestyle. The shortest life of any cat I have looked after is 6 years (heart attack, probably due to him being a 'pure-bred' Siamese). The longest is 18 years. On average I would say they have lived around 16 years, although my vet tells me that 12 years is average.

    There are so many variables: moggy or so-called 'pedigree'; genetics' city or country; diet and exercise; and just plain luck!

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  • by keresyk on August 5th, 2008

    keresyk

    I have to agree with the above post. Statistics, odd things that they are, means that the longer you live, the longer you are likely to live. Unscientifically, being a cat-lover, and having many friends who are also cat lovers, I would say 15 years. But I have known cats die unexpectedly at 6 years and soldier on to nearly 20.

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  • by candy cane on June 9th, 2008

    candy cane

    my mothers indoor cat lived to be 17. he wouldve gone longer but my mother felt that he was on his way out and in pain, so she put him down. but he was a tank.

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  • by call me Kat on April 2nd, 2008

    call me Kat

    My best friend's cat recently passed away at age 18.

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  • by LoyalTubist-CountryClub Life in Mindanao on April 2nd, 2008

    LoyalTubist-CountryClub Life in Mindanao

    I've never had a cat that lived over 16 years.

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  • by bougabear on August 31st, 2008

    bougabear

    My cat recently passed away from a car accident she was 14 years old. She got old of the house. My advise is if your cat is a indoor cat be careful they don't know what to do outside. My heart is broken and I still don't know how she got outside.

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  • by Sexyrabbit on June 9th, 2008

    Sexyrabbit

    My cat died at age 13

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  • by Torrie Chick on September 3rd, 2009

    Torrie Chick

    allowed out side 9-10 not 15-20 yrs.

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  • by Brandon on November 13th, 2009

    Brandon

    Well, my cat is now 13 yrs and 3 mos. She has been an in-door cat all her life, except perhaps the first few weeks of her life... and hanging out on my porch or backyard for very brief periods (1-10 minutes).

    My prompting to come here is due to some changes occuring in the past 2-4 weeks.... not using litter box for 1 week (about 1 month ago) and recent loss of appetite (1 week so far). I weighed her and found that she's lost 2 pounds over the past 6 months.

    I see sites suggesting anemia and to take her to a vet... but what good will that do? One web site suggested that a blood tranfusion is sometimes recommended. I love my cat, but paying hundreds or thousands of dollars when she will likely leave this world in the next 1-2 years seems foolish. No?

    In any regard... I will likely avoid IAMS as I learned that is really not the best food... and introduce wetter food into her diet. I cooked her chicken tonight (it's after 1am - I was a bit worried) and she ate it as I wrote this. That's good.

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  • by debodun on April 2nd, 2008

    debodun

    I had one that lived to be 18. That's the longest-lived one I ever had, and I've had A LOT! Mine usually go between 10 and 14 years, barring accidents.

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  • by Anonymous on September 3rd, 2009

    Anonymous

    Which one of their lives are you talking about?? They have 9.

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  • by -Icy- on September 3rd, 2009

    -Icy-

    12-16 years +5

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  • by Daniel on October 8th, 2008

    Daniel

    12 years, on average. I have a friend who had a cat for 24 years, but the poor thing was in such poor health for the last 3 he should have been euthanized for the sake of humanity.

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  • by jeremy on October 8th, 2008

    jeremy

    my cat just passed away oct.7th 2008. he was 20years old would have been 21 nov. 16th. he was and indoor cat and only ate 9 lives catfood his whole life. he was so full of energy then about 3 weeks ago he went blind then down hill from there. my grandma had 2 indoor cats that lived 23 and 25.

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  • by Smiley on April 2nd, 2008

    Smiley

    Of course, the care you give or don't give has a lot to do with how long a cat will live. The best thing you can do for your cat, male or female is to have them spayed. They are less likely to stray and they won't be as prone to fighting. I have had cats that lived inside only and both inside and outside with varying ages from 2 years to 18 years.

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  • by Susan_F5927 on January 2nd, 2011

    Susan_F5927

    Share your answer...

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  • by Susan_F5927 on January 2nd, 2011

    Susan_F5927

    Share your answer...

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  • by Dawn_L8376 on February 28th, 2011

    Dawn_L8376

    My cat Sherwood will be 20 in June 2011. She has never been an indoor cat more of an independant sole who pleases herself where and when to come and go. She loves nothing better than lying in the sun on our garage roof, scaling the fence to get up there! Good diet,exercise and lazy days in the sun lead to a long and happy life. Until recently we had a rabbit who lived nearly 12 years so I guess we are just lucky with our pets.

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  • by Santini on February 28th, 2011

    Santini

    In my experience around 14 years.

    Quality of food has a lot to do with it. Stay away from foods with by products in it. Many of these foods have by products in the first couple ingredients.

    My vet has a cat well into the 20's.

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  • by zeuspoop on April 2nd, 2008

    zeuspoop

    It varies. Depending on how quickly you can kill all 9 lives. (I hate cats.)

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  • by Susan_F5927 on January 2nd, 2011

    Susan_F5927

    My dear, sweet cat just died about 10 days ago at the age of 16. She adopted my husband and me at the age of 8. (She decided that she wanted to live with us instead of our neighbors in the apartment next door.) She was an indoor/outdoor cat but in the past four and a half years the amount of time that she spent outdoors was less. Our vet found a tumor on our cat's rear leg at the site of a vaccination. Many people don't know that cats sometimes can develop tumors at vaccination sites. We had to have our cat's rear leg amputated by a board certified veterinary surgeon to save her life. She healed beautifully from her surgery and had a very happy life with us. She got really ill suddenly a couple of weeks ago. She was pressing her head against corners of the room and hiding in the closets. She seemed disoriented and was walking in her cat dish as if she couldn't see it. We took her to a cat neurologist and animal specialty hospital. They found out that she had brain tumors. We were so sad to see her in such a declining state. When we realized that she was most likely suffering and there was no chance of her regaining her quality of life, we had her euthanized. I loved her so and really miss her. But I feel that 16 years old was a long life for a cat who had survived cancer at 12 years old.

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  • by bluetreetops on December 19th, 2010

    bluetreetops

    I'm trying to add a picture but it's not working, and it doesn't seem to allow you to delete a message if you wish to...

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  • by DarrylinBerlin on January 29th, 2010

    DarrylinBerlin

    My tomcat Pamukkale (European shorthair cat) lived to be nearly 17 years. He died yesterday, 28 January, 2010 - after a very quick decline in his health.

    in April, 2009, Pamukkale was successfully treated for an acute kidney condition - and made a full recovery. I took him to the vet after he stopped eating and drinking. When I took him to the vet, my cat weighed a mere 4 kg (approx. 8.8 lbs), of which several hundred grams that were missing would have normally been in his stomach, digestive tract, and in the form of water (but he was dehydrated). I accepted the fact that my tiger was most likely never going to regain much of his lost muscle and fat tissue. It was tough having to accept the fact that his kidneys were in a state of irreversible decline.

    I feel so guilty that I didn't act more proactively and do more to get him the treatment for his kidney condition. Perhaps my ignorance of treatment possibilities and overall lack of awareness of the warning signs prevented my Tommy from being properly treated. However, my vet still should have prescribed kidney treatment medication. In any case, I was always kind to my cat and he always had a clean, warm, and comfortable living environment, as well as quality cat food, and of course fresh water, not to mention human companionship. He and his feline friend Elli had use of a large southwest-facing balcony with several flowers and plants, as well as a full cat net - for added safety.

    Please! Please! Please!
    Be aware that if a cat stops eating for more than 24 hours, he or she should be taken to the vet without delay, as this could lead to a very serious condition.

    Had I modified my tomcat's diet more responsibly, and had I noticed the warning signs sooner, he would still be here. The vet only suggested that I give him a special kind of dry food. This was difficult for him to digest, as he only had three teeth left. I only hope that my Pamukkale will find room in his heart (wherever his soul might be) to forgive me for my ignorance. Not being too harsh on myself, my cat had a long and very happy life - and I need closure, as his passing has broken my heart. He was only attached to me and no other person. He was my buddy and I will miss him dearly.

    17 years of a quality cat life are very respectable indeed!

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  • by Michael_S3384 on October 21st, 2010

    Michael_S3384

    My cat was born June of 2000. He never been outside. He had all his shots current, he was neutered, and declawed. I had to put him to sleep because the vet thought he had a tumor in his belly. :( So honestly an indoor cat will live healthy without getting hit or in fights but 15 to 17 years to me seems unrealistic. I am going to say 10 to 12 years for outdoor or indoor..

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  • by Christopher_M8063 on November 12th, 2010

    Christopher_M8063

    my beautiful loving calico female cat Roara lived 14 years i loved her so very much i am so sad shes gone she was my world slept with me more then not even kicked my ass when i stepped on her kitten she was an always will be my hero

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  • by bluetreetops on December 19th, 2010

    bluetreetops

    Tiffany was just short of 16 years when I had her euthanized yesterday (Saturday). She died peacefully in my arms. Her liver was completely shot; her blood ALT level was 3540 when the norm is between 28 and 100. I suspect that the damage occurred when she received a massive overdose of Ivermectin from a veterinarian about 2 years ago. But she sustained the assault at the time with no indication of damage--they kept her on IV and monitored her for three days. For the last year or so she had been occasionally vomiting up her food, although her health didn't appear to be suffering. But two weeks ago she vomited very deeply, and was pacing in an agitated state before bringing it up. I changed her food the next day thinking it might have been a food allergy. She was okay with that for one week to the day and then vomited again, in the same manner. It was downhill after that. Apparently the liver can function adequately enough with only 30% of normal capacity but not much less than that. Her urine became orange and she stopped eating and drinking. On Tuesday I started taking her daily to the vet ( a different vet!) for subcutaneous fluid therapy and an antibiotic shot. This helped to bring her fever down and made her feel better. It's consoling to me to know that she did end up living a normal life span at almost 16 years.

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  • by Veterinary Pathology on May 20th, 2006

    Veterinary Pathology

    About 15 years.

    Mind you, as an individual cat becomes older its statistical life expectancy rises above this. It's the same with humans and other animals: as a general rule, once you've survived the early days of your life, your life expectancy is above average. It's a funny thing, life expectancy. But for an individual all is uncertain, obviously.

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  • by tripwire on February 1st, 2007

    tripwire

    15 to 17 years x 9

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  • by Squanto on April 11th, 2007

    Squanto

    Wow, I always thought cats lived into their 20's. I have two, and the older is 20, the younger being about 6, and they act the same. The older has no helath problems, not shaky, no meds, just is deaf as a doornail, and has given up on cleaning himself, which means he has to be constantly brushed. I expect him to live at least 2 years more. He was a stray that lived in a restaurant parking lot, and ate scraps from one of the chefs untill I rescued him, and he lived outdoors untill he was about 17, then indoors since I moved away from my parents that wouldnot allow him inside.

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  • by Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here on February 27th, 2007

    Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here

    The oldest cat I've ever had lives today and is 14 (edit: 16 now). She has one tooth and sleeps most of the time. I would say 10 years if you are very lucky and live far from any used roads.
    15 years maximum. That's if you are very very lucky and thats if they live a completely sheltered indoor life, have no allergies, aren't overfed, and are never stepped on.

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  • by Tanara on May 7th, 2007

    Tanara

    My roommate's Ashely is 25 years young this spring ( we aren't sure of her exact birth date ) and my two boys - Scamper and Poot -are fifteen and seventeen respectivley. All three are rescues, and not allowed outdoors save under closely supervised conditions.

    An indoor cat has a far longer potential life span than an outdoor cat. And the average lifespan of a feral cat is generally liusted at about 18 months.

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  • by Balderdash aka PNB on May 7th, 2007

    Balderdash aka PNB

    Presently I have a cat that is 18 years old. He stays indoors but I had an outdoor cat who lived to be 16.

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  • by Starbuck on March 19th, 2008

    Starbuck

    my cat died just last night. can anyone tell me what the following symtoms could be:
    teeth falling out(small)
    becoming very week very rapidly.(figure from being unable to eat)
    blood in fieces
    death.
    my poor cat had all these things happened to him, and now he gone. please someone if anyone knows the answers as to what this ailment could be please email me at starbuck66962@hotmail.com or respond here. preferably the first one.

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  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on February 19th, 2007

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    My personal average hovers in the neighborhood of about 17 years, barring accidents.

    Though many claim that being an indoor-only cat will lengthen their life, my experience is to the contrary. The only two cats I personally knew that lived past 18 both spent at least half their lives outside in suburban areas. One developed cancer and was put down at 22, the other died sleeping in his favorite lawnchair on the porch at 23.
    That said, my cats are strictly indoor cats because we have coyotes, fisher cats, hawks, etcetera here. Even the healthiest cat is no match for a raptor's talons.

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  • by LibbyLimaBean on February 19th, 2007

    LibbyLimaBean

    Our cat, Dusty, is about 17 years old now and has had hyper thyroid for the past 3.5 years. She is starting to show her age in the last eight months or so; a little shaky with her balance; can't jump on the bed anymore (we have a stool for her to help). I give her medicine to her twice a day, rub it in the lower flap of her ear to soak in (thyroid pills make her sick, so rhe cream works wonders!) She has been strickly an indoor cat for the past three years. Okay, she will go out on the front porch with us during the summer, but that is all I allow her to do, along with a little green grass she likes to digest. We adopted her at the age of 9, as she was a runaway from our neighbors and was on the lam for over a year before she found us! We are all so lucky! Smart cat! Can't get enough of her!

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  • by drater on February 9th, 2007

    drater

    15-20 years, usually less if they are allowed outside.

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  • by R U Sirius on February 9th, 2007

    R U Sirius

    just 1 life.

    not nine.

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