How long do cats live?

Cats, also known as domestic cats or house cats, are classified as part of the feline family. They are kept as pets for hundreds of years. According to some statistics, cats are the second most popular pet today, right after dogs.

Cats lifespan

How long do indoor cats live?

There are many people who are planning to adopt a cat and wondering how long will they pet live. This is quite a logical question because people want to be well-informed and to know what they can expect in the future. We all know that live beings have certain life expectancy and cats are not an exception.

The truth is that there is no universal answer to this question. The life expectancy of any cat depends on several factors including breed, lifestyle, weight and diet. However, with the recent advancements in the medical field, cats can now get quality veterinary treatment and enjoy better health.

There is an accepted range of life expectancy that starts with 15 and ends with 25 years. If we compare these figures with the ones related to dogs, we will realize that cats live longer. This might be a huge advantage for those who still don’t know whether they should opt for a dog or for a cat as a pet.

It is good to know that purebred cats usually live shorter compared to mixed breeds. This might sound illogical to some people, but it is a well-known fact that inbreeding results in poor genetics which eventually leads to shorter life expectancy.

A recent report confirmed that the oldest cat lived to at least 38 years of age, according to the Guinness World Record List.

How long do outdoor cats live?

Recent research confirms that indoor cats have a longer lifespan as compared to outdoor ones. Why so? Outdoor cats are often exposed to certain risk factors that can impact their lifespan considerably. For instance, Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FEV), as well as being exposed to fleas and ticks. They are also likely to be hit by a car or attacked by a dog.

They are also exposed to different diseases and other health issues. Although there is no straight answer how long outdoor cats live, experts believe that their life span is between 4 and five years.

Granted, cats are known to be more adaptable to their surrounding environment and can survive longer when they find some form of shelter. However, kittens or cats younger in age adapt better to new environments than adult cats.

If a cat is released into the wild, regardless of age, they are not expected to live long. Due to their size, protecting themselves from predators and wild animals will be difficult. Hence, they are likely to be attacked or eaten by a wild animal. Additionally, they could also succumb to an illness over a period of time. In essence, cats can't live very long in the wild (4-5 years).

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Good care of the cats

To start with, you must take a good care of their diet. It is highly recommended to provide natural, organic, raw food to your cat. Obviously, using packed foods is a more convenient choice, but keep in mind that cats are natural predators and their diet should include raw meat and similar foods that they can find in nature.

On the other hand, commercial foods that we can find in stores are often packed with toxic chemicals, preservatives, and fillers that can ruin your cat’s health in the long run and shorten its life. So, if you want your cat to live a long, happy and healthy life add chicken, lamb and red meat to its diet.

Keep in mind that cats don’t need vegetables and there are cases where certain veggies made cats ill, so be careful. Cats are not vegans or vegetarians. These cute creatures have consumed meat for millennia and we should not try to change their diet.

Similar to people, cats also need physical exercise. As previously mentioned, they are predators and predators have bodies that must be maintained well all the time. There are many toys and objects that you can use to help your cat workout. You can also unleash your imagination and play with your cat.

These activities will boost your cat’s health and make it live longer. Physical inactivity leads to overweight and obesity and as we all know, this is bad for the health. Luckily, cats seem to be in the mood for playing all the time, so you won’t have problems encouraging them to play with you.

There are many cat owners who forget one important thing: regular visits to the veterinarian. Cats need to take some vaccines and they also need to be examined from time to time in order to determine their physical condition.

Even if your cat looks perfectly healthy, there are some signs and symptoms that are not visible to ordinary people, but vets can detect them easily. By visiting a vet, you can avoid the emergence of different disorders and diseases in your cat and prevent premature death.

We should not forget that cats sleep between 16 and 20 hours a day. This means that the quality of sleep is a very important factor for their life expectancy. Cat owners should do their best to create the best sleeping conditions for their cat. In addition, they should also try to avoid waking them up while they are sleeping.

Where do cats live?

The feline cats, regardless of whether they are domestic cats or wild cats, can be found anywhere on Earth. However, according to Howard James Stains and Serge Lariviere, they are not native in Antartica or Australia.

Wildcats, also referred to as carnivorous mammals, can generally be found in woodland areas. Domestic cats can be found in a much more domestic environment. In other words, they are likely to live among human habitats and Animal Shelters.

What do cats eat?

There are some cats in the wild that feed on fish or even vegetation as well. However, this depends on the type of cat in question. For example, the flat-headed cat is known to feed on vegetation.

On the other hand, domestic cats often eat cat food that is available in stores. Occasionally, you can also feed them with food from your plate. Be sure not to do this often as they might end up developing a taste only for human food.

Domestic cats should not be fed chocolate, garlic, macadamia nuts or even bread dough just to name a few. According to WebMD, the above-mentioned foods are toxic and can harm your cat considerably.

Cats do not have a sweet tooth, meaning they can't taste sweet things.

How much do cats measure?

Cats, depending on their breed, frame and gender, tend to have a variation in the measurements. However, cats normally measure 9 to 15 inches in length. Some cats are known to measure up to 17 inches in height.

How much do cats weigh?

On average, domestic cats should at least weigh 10 pounds, depending on the frame and the breed of the cat. Hence, a cat may weigh between 5-25 pounds. The larger their body frame, the more they are likely to weigh.

It is imperative that we help cats maintain a normal weight. They should never have a sagging belly at all. Overweight cats stand the risk of developing type- 2 diabetes and many other life-threatening diseases. Always have the vet check your cat's weight regularly.

Cats reproduction and life cycle

Breeding often occurs during her heat cycles that can start as early as four months of age. According to John A. Bukowski, a female cat's heat cycle is likely to occur at least 2 to 3 times when its breeding season.

Additionally, the female cat is only likely to ovulate once she is bred, increasing the chances of conception. Once she conceives,  she will no longer experience the heat cycle until after birth. The gestation period for a female domestic cat is usually 2 months. Female cats are likely to give birth to a litter of 4 kittens.

A cat is likely to have completed physical development by 8 to 10 months. Please, note that this largely depends on the breed and size of the cat.

Curiosities about cats

Types of cats

There are few different types of cats, but most of them are mixed breed cats. Some experts say that just 5% of cats are purebred. If we take a closer look at these breeds, we will notice some differences.

For example, they have different body shapes, different color and length of coat, the color of eyes, size and even different personalities.

Generally speaking, cats can be divided into two different categories: long haired and short haired cats. The ones with short hair are more popular and more common.

How many domestic cats are in the world?

There are at least 500 million domestic cats in the world. One of the reasons why there are millions of cat owners in the world is the fact that it is not difficult to take care of cats.

Even if the home is empty most of the day, your cat pet won’t mind that as long as there are food and water. So, in case you are a busy person, but you still want a lively pet, opt for a cat.

Facts about cats

• Cats cannot see below their noses
• Female cats are likely to be right pawed, while male cats are likely to be left-pawed
• The female cat is also referred to as the Queen
• A cat can only back out of a tree. They can go down a tree head first