The typical cat lives 11.74 years, based on new analysis

And blended breeds reside longer, on common, than purebred cats.

Picture: SeraphP/Shutterstock

By Zazie Todd PhD

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Researchers have created new life tables for home cats that present how lengthy they reside on common, and the way for much longer their life is more likely to be at any given age.

The examine, which is revealed in Journal of Feline Medication and Surgical procedure, makes use of knowledge from cats within the UK which can be within the VetCompass database which incorporates main veterinary clinics throughout the nation. The info covers nearly 8,000 cats who handed in 2019, 2020, or the primary 3 months of 2021.

Whereas the typical cat lived 11.74 years from beginning, the information additionally exhibits how for much longer a cat is more likely to reside as soon as they attain a selected age. The outcomes present {that a} cat who’s 9-10 years outdated is more likely to reside for an additional 6.08 years, whereas a cat who’s 12-13 years outdated will probably reside one other 4.24 years. 

For these with very senior cats, the excellent news is {that a} cat who’s 15-16 probably has one other 2.72 years, and if they’re 19-20 then one other 1.40 years is the typical life expectancy. 

Feminine cats typically reside greater than a 12 months longer than male cats, with a median life expectancy of 12.51 years and 11.18 years, respectively.

Solely 2 of the breeds studied tended to reside longer than a blended breed cat (aka a moggie), they usually have been the Burmese and Birman, with a life expectancy of 14.42 and 14.39, respectively, in comparison with a moggie’s 11.89.

The shortest lived breed within the examine is the Sphynx, with a life expectancy of solely 6.68 years. Though there are a selection of medical circumstances that may be related to this breed, this end result remains to be a shock. Extra analysis on the well being and welfare of Sphynx cats could be welcome.

The Bengal has a life expectancy of 8.51, whereas the Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon, Russian cats (together with Russian Blue), and British cats (which incorporates British Blue and British Longhair) all are available at just below 10 years. The Persian and Ragdoll breeds have a life expectancy of over 10, and the Siamese of over 11.

One other attention-grabbing discovering is that the typical weight of cats within the examine was 5.5kg, which is larger than is normally really helpful for a cat. Nonetheless, it was cats who have been totally different from this common that had a decrease lifespan. This implies the chance that being just a bit bit obese would possibly even have a protecting impact on how lengthy cats reside. Nonetheless, extra analysis is required. 

These outcomes are from the UK and could also be totally different from different nations as a result of variations in genetic swimming pools and in addition in how cats are stored and cared for. 

As nicely, these outcomes are higher than most earlier research which can, no less than partly, replicate enhancements in veterinary care.

These outcomes might be reassuring to many cat guardians, particularly those that have already got a senior cat.

Reference

Teng, Okay. T. Y., Brodbelt, D. C., Church, D. B., & O’Neill, D. G. (2024). Life tables of annual life expectancy and threat components for mortality in cats within the UK. Journal of Feline Medication and Surgical procedure, 26(5), 1098612X241234556.

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