How old do cats live?

Tagged: Age, Death, elderly

This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 1 month ago by DancingCatHill.

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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15 March, 2012 at 1:07 pm #50520

Jasmine0803
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone would share the age their cats were when they passed away? My cat Tiger is 13 now, so I’m wondering how much longer I will roughly have him for.

I asked my vet the average life span of a cat and he said 12. He is an indoor/outdoor boy.

Just wondering what everyone’s experiences are.

Regards, Carmen

15 March, 2012 at 1:08 pm #723639

Jasmine0803
Participant

I love him dearly and am hoping he will live to 20 at least. He is very strong and healthy for an elderly boy 🙂

15 March, 2012 at 2:07 pm #723640

jRoc
Participant

Hey Jasmine! I think each cat is different just like people. I think most of the cats I have had have lived to about 16 to 18 years old.

15 March, 2012 at 2:17 pm #723641

ladysky61
Participant

Barring accidents, 15-20 years.

15 March, 2012 at 2:57 pm #723642

Jasmine0803
Participant

oh thats great news! hopefully i will have him for a while longer yet. The thought of losing him upsets me so badly, thought i know its going to happen one day.

15 March, 2012 at 4:50 pm #723643

Mo
Participant

They have the potential to live 25-35 years, which I do think is entirely possible, with the best care. But the avearge lifespan for a cat is fourteen years.

15 March, 2012 at 5:54 pm #723644

ladysky61
Participant

I think the 12 years number come from the fact that a lot of cat’s die as kittens from accidents, illness,etc. Once they reach adulthood, I would expect them to live until they are at least 15. I’ve known several cats that surpassed the 20 year mark. but stay on top of vet care and if you haven’t already done so start putting money aside for future vet expenses as he gets older.

15 March, 2012 at 6:05 pm #723645

Commune
Moderator

My girlfiend’s siamese lived 18 years. She was an indoor cat.

15 March, 2012 at 9:12 pm #723646

choyt11
Participant

guinness book of world records says 34 years…

15 March, 2012 at 9:13 pm #723647

choyt11
Participant

i’ve had one live to 24 (Yuki) and one to 17 (Velvet Rose)

15 March, 2012 at 9:21 pm #723648

DancingCatHill
Participant

In my experience cats are living longer these days, just like humans are. They are generally getting better foods and better care. 12 used to be old age for a cat and most of the signs you see in a vet office still show that as elderly. Thirty years ago that’s about what my cats lived to be. However of the last group of 7 cats that aged in place with us two reached 16 and five reached 18 years. Our current family is all under five and we expect them all to live 18 to 20 years. All of our cats are and have been indoor/outdoor cats in rural areas. My friend’s cat is currently 22 and plugging along fine.
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