The death of a pet is always a tragedy for owners, so owners try to do everything possible to ensure that their pet remains with them as long as possible. Unfortunately, some cat breeds do not have a long lifespan, which is disappointing.
Photo source: dailymail.co.uk
But there is GOOD NEWS: there are representatives of the mustachioed-striped ones who live longer than their relatives!
We present to you 10 cat breeds that have a long lifespan!
No. 1 Burma (Burmese cat)
Charming and elegant, this breed lives from 18 to 20 years, which is quite impressive. The secret of a cat is its good health, which is genetically passed on from generation to generation.
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There is a recorded case in history when a Burmese beauty lived to be 35 years old! Of course, not every pet can achieve such a stunning result, but with proper nutrition and care, the owner can enjoy his beautiful Burmese for a couple of decades!
How long do cats live?
Any cats and dogs live significantly less than people. The lifespan of even the longest-living cats does not compare to the average number of years that humans live.
The lifespan of cats depends on such factors
:
- breed;
- presence or absence of excess weight;
- presence or absence of veterinary care;
- habitat;
- diet.
It may come as a surprise to many that the breed also determines how long your favorite cat will live.
Representatives of the Exotic Shorthair, Russian Blue, Bombay, and Snowshoe breeds live the shortest (10-12 years).
Long-lived cat breeds (18-20 years): American shorthair, Thai, Manx, Siamese.
Such statistics do not always correspond to reality, and if there are cases of happy exceptions, when a cat lives much longer than his brothers in the breed.
No. 2 Siamese cat
This active and lively beauty with an expressive face and wonderful coloring can live up to 16-20 years, becoming a real companion and source of positivity for its owner.
In Thailand, the homeland where this graceful cat appeared, she is called the “moon diamond.” In order for it to sparkle for as long as possible in its owner’s home, it is necessary to provide the animal with warmth and a healthy diet.
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Considering the fact that Siamese cats are prone to respiratory diseases, it is important that there are no drafts ! As for nutrition, Siamese are not picky, however, high protein content can lead to liver problems.
How to make your favorite pet long-lived?
In order to extend the life of a pet or set a record for a long-lived cat (there are photos of them in the article), you should follow certain rules. Namely:
- Don't refuse vaccination. Vaccinated pets live longer.
- Spay or neuter, which will protect the cat from infections, oncology and hormonal imbalances.
- Nutrition should be rational. It is better to cook your own food or use ready-made food from the premium segment.
- Watch out for excess weight, which can cause diabetes.
- You should not self-medicate.
- Maintain water balance. Your pet's water should always be clean.
- Monitor the condition of the oral cavity.
- Avoid street walks. Indoor cats that don't go outside live longer.
- Get your cat moving using toys or special play pens.
The main key condition is unconditional love and care.
No. 3 Manx
These exotic tailless cats live for at least 15 years. In some cases, a longer lifespan of a representative of this breed is noted. In order for your pet to live as long as possible, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality food.
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Many Manx cats have sensitive stomachs, so a sudden switch from one diet to another can result in trouble for his health.
By the way, if you have a pet of this breed, please note that as an adult you should not give him milk - he may not be able to digest lactose !
The oldest cat in Russia
The record for the longest-living cat in Russia was registered in Moscow. The pet, record holder named Daniel Yankee, lived for 22 years. Its owner Maria Fedotova registered this record on July 11, 2020.
But in 2020, a cat named Smoke was discovered in Tyumen at the age of 25 years, which, when compared with human age, is 113 years. He is a Thai breed and may go down in the books as the new champion of feline longevity. As the pet's owners note, he has grown up very timid and does not recognize strangers. He was picked up on the street as a kitten, which could have affected his emotional state. In addition, his life itself was not easy.
One day, while chasing a bird, he jumped out of a 9th floor window, damaging his internal organs. The owners cared for the pet for a year. At the age of ten, he became seriously ill, and veterinarians suggested euthanizing the animal, to which the owners did not agree. Surrounded by care and love, he is still alive, but recently he began to eat poorly, which affects his health.
No. 4 Savannah
An elegant cross between a serval and a Siamese cat, the Savannah cat is remarkably healthy. Thanks to good genetics, she is able to live from 18 to 20 years.
The amazing color, touching face and expressive look will delight the owner for a long time if he takes care of the food, which does not contain a large amount of grain.
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These cats benefit from raw meat - it will help lengthen the lifespan of the charming savannah, as well as taurine, which should be given to remove hair from the stomach.
No. 5 Bombay cat
Representatives of this breed resemble a miniature panther, but do not have a wild disposition at all. On the contrary, such a cat will happily spend time with its owner and accompany him everywhere. An exotic beauty can live from 15 to 20 years, and sometimes a couple of years more.
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It is very important to feed such a cat properly, so its diet should include porridge, egg yolks, boiled meat and fish and, of course, fruits.
Don't neglect premium dry food. The cat also needs activity , and then he can live a long and happy life.
Age record holders from the Guinness Book
Pitbull Hulk: the world's largest dog
The longest-living cats included in the Guinness World Records are only those who have gone beyond the 25-year mark. And there are quite a lot of them. However, it is not always possible to accurately determine the age of the animal. Specialists rely on the general condition of the teeth, body, ears, eyes, etc.
Note! As statistics show, outbred animals live relatively longer than aristocratic cats, and even more so artificially created types of pets. In addition, all the old people somehow ended up in a good family with kind and caring owners. Perhaps this is the secret.
Lucy the cat
Lucy the cat is perhaps the most famous furry personality. Today she has already died. However, in 2020, the pet (he was still alive) turned 43 years old, although this was only a general assumption. Lucy came to her second owner in 1999, after her first owner died.
Her habitat was a small town in Wales. B. Thomas, who kept Lucy, began to learn about the history of his pet. So it turned out that fishermen knew this animal back in the 70s.
Lucy the cat dies at 43
Cream Puff
Cream Puff is a cat who lived in Texas and was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2010. Her owner was able to document the age of his pet.
For your information! A black and white yard cat was born in August 1967 and died in 2005 at the age of 38 years.
Tiffany II
Tiffany is a girl with tortoiseshell fur. She was purchased from a pet store at the age of 6 weeks in 1988, lived to be 27 years old and died in 2020. Tiffany lived her entire life with her owner on a farm, eating dry food and fresh milk.
Tiffany had few limitations in her life. She roamed freely and would occasionally go away for a few days. However, after that the cat always returned to her home.
In this photo, Tiffany is 27 years old.
Velveteen
Another oldest cat who lived to be 27 years old is Velvet. The animal is native to Oregon. The pet loved walks and hunting. One day he left home again and never returned.
Roxana and Chernyshka
Roxana is a Persian cat who lived in the world for 19 years. Her habitat was Russia, the city of Serov. It was possible to obtain accurate information about birth and death due to the fact that the pet had a known pedigree and was purebred.
Another Russian cat, Chernyshka, was not one of the aristocrats. A typical street girl nevertheless left at the age of 16.
Haze and Blackie
Haze and Blackie did not receive the title of the most enduring cat due to their obscurity. However, Dymka was 27 years old at the time of death, and Blackie was 25 years old.
For your information! Throughout the entire period the animals felt and looked quite well. The only thing is that with age, both of their eyes began to hurt.
Poppy
Another one of the longest-living cats on the list is Poppy. The courtyard "Englishwoman" was born in 1990. Her photograph can often be seen on the Internet next to a cake and a candle in the form of the number 24.
Given her age, the cat has acquired a very thin appearance. As her owners said, over the years the cat began to shudder when people began to pet her, left the room less and less and almost did not respond to her name.
Poppy's birthday
Murka
Murka came into the Trunov family in 1985, when she was not even a week old. As a result, the animal lived with its family for 20 years. The owners themselves said that Murka was able to reach such an honorable age due to her physical characteristics and love.
Spike
As you can understand, it is mostly girls who reach old age. But there is also the longest-living cat in history, and his name is Spike. In 2001, the animal turned 31. By human standards, it will have crossed the border of its 200th anniversary. Outwardly, he is a magnificent red-haired handsome man.
When the long-lived cat celebrated his 31st birthday, he showed no signs of illness or old age. According to the owners, he also continued to yell in March, walked in the yard and chased chickens. There is currently no information available about Spike.
Spike the cat is 31 years old
No. 6 Egyptian Mau
A graceful representative of this ancient breed, the Egyptian Mau lives for at least 15 and sometimes 20 years!
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Slender and agile, this cat is in excellent health and full of energy. By providing her with proper nutrition and care, you can count on the fact that the Egyptian Mau will not be overcome by disease.
The weak point of this breed is cardiomyopathy , but with regular preventive examinations, the development of heart disease can be avoided.
Reasons affecting feline longevity
If we talk about cats that live on the street, then, as a rule, they live very short lives - no more than 5 years. Low life expectancy is directly related to the high risk of danger that is present in urban street conditions.
Another thing is pets. Compared to homeless animals, the average age increases two to three times. The following factors influence longevity:
- breed and pedigree. Genetically healthy cats and kittens increase their lifespan by several years;
- rational nutrition and strict feeding regime. Properly selected food and daily intake have a positive effect on the health of your pet;
- visit to the veterinarian. It is necessary to follow the vaccination calendar and conduct routine examinations of your four-legged friend in order to exclude or identify dangerous diseases at an early stage;
- active lifestyle. Mustachioed household members definitely need physical activity. Cats love games, movement, chasing and catching up. Regular physical activity improves health. Even if your pet is over 10 years old, he still needs active games with his owner;
- oral hygiene. Teeth are the main factor for increasing life expectancy. Therefore, it is important to keep your teeth clean, remove plaque, and in case of illness, contact a veterinarian in a timely manner;
- It is better to carry out sterilization and castration at an early age of the pet, since these operations have age restrictions. It is best to consult a doctor on this issue.
By observing all the above factors, you can significantly increase the life of your beloved pet.
No. 7 Asian Tabby
Harmoniously built and expressive, the Asian tabby has not only magical attractiveness, but also good health. An exotic cat can live up to 18 years if given proper care and attention.
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It is best to feed her lean meats, as well as grains and vegetables. Under no circumstances should you give your cat sweets, as this will lead to the development of diabetes.
Veterinarians also recommend spaying or neutering the animal if the owner does not plan to breed cats.
What can you do?
For those owners who want to break the record of a long-lived cat, they should be guided by several principles. Namely:
- Nutrition should be organized depending on the pet’s age and physical activity.
- For long-haired cats, special food, vitamins or pastes are purchased that regulate the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, since the entry of a large amount of hair into the stomach can lead to its malfunction.
- Avoid weight gain, as this can lead to the development of diabetes, which reduces not only the quality but also the life expectancy of your pet.
- Vaccination is carried out according to the age and condition of the animal.
- Preventive examinations every six months.
No. 8 Ragdoll
This doll-faced cat can live up to 19 years, although the average lifespan of a Ragdoll is 15-16 years. The charming pet may have problems with joints and heart, so it is worth visiting the veterinarian periodically for preventive purposes.
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It is very important to monitor your pet’s diet - the diet of an adult ragdoll should not contain milk, fatty pork, smoked meats, sweets, raisins and many other products that are not suitable for its body.
Table of cat age according to human years of life
| Cat's age in years | Person's age in years |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 24 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 36 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 60 |
| 12 | 64 |
| 13 | 68 |
| 14 | 72 |
| 15 | 76 |
| 16 | 80 |
| 17 | 84 |
| 18 | 88 |
| 19 | 92 |
| 20 | 96 |
| 21 | 100 |
| 22 | 104 |
| 23 | 109 |
| 24 | 113 |
| 25 | 117 |
| 26 | 121 |
| 27 | 125 |
| 28 | 129 |
| 29 | 133 |
| 30 | 137 |
| 31 | 141 |
| 32 | 145 |
| 33 | 149 |
| 34 | 153 |
| 35 | 157 |
| 36 | 161 |
| 37 | 165 |
| 38 | 170 |
| 39 | 174 |
| 40 | 178 |
| 41 | 182 |
| 42 | 186 |
| 43 | 190 |
| 44 | 194 |
| 45 | 198 |
| 46 | 202 |
| 47 | 206 |
| 48 | 210 |
| 49 | 214 |
| 50 | 218 |
No. 9 Sphinx
Unusual in appearance, the Sphynx can live from 15 to 20 years. Distinguished by good health, it is very unpretentious in care, but still has its weaknesses.
The main problem is the lack of hair on the cat’s body, so it can easily freeze , especially if the apartment is not heated well enough. The owner should pay attention to this fact and purchase warming clothing for the pet.
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It is also important to remember that Sphynx cats love to eat, despite their modest size, so they often swallow food without even chewing it. To prevent indigestion from happening to your pet, it is recommended to give him food cut into small pieces.
No. 10 Persian cat
An imposing handsome man with luxurious coat, the Persian can live from 15 to 20 years, but he requires high-quality care. The pet needs a balanced diet, regular dental and ear hygiene, as well as active physical activity.
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Despite his outwardly lazy appearance, the cat is not averse to moving around and playing. It is also important to remember about deworming and sterilization if breeding kittens is not part of the owner’s plans.
Well, now you know which breeds will live with you side by side happily ever after. True, this does not mean that all representatives of the above-mentioned breeds, without exception, will be able to break records.
There is always the possibility of illness or an accident that could take the life of a pet. To prevent this from happening, you need to treat your cat with great attention and love. Believe me, the effort spent will pay off with the health and full life of your pet ! And isn't this the most important thing?
By the way, have you already seen a cat who loves to take selfies?
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Life expectancy of cats
When purchasing a little furry friend, few people think about the moment when they have to say goodbye to him. It only takes a few days to become attached to the animal. And over time, people begin to think about how long their beloved pet can live and what factors it depends on. First of all, judging by the long-lived cats in the book of records, it depends on the love and environment that the owners of their pets surround.
But according to statistics, there are still certain breeds of furry four-legged friends that turn out to have a higher life expectancy. They contain a special genetic program.
The average lifespan of cats is from ten to 14 years. At the same time, furry friends endure old age more easily than people. The only difference is that as they age, they become less active and playful. It has been observed that this begins around the age of eight.
Outdoor cats live much shorter lives, on average up to seven years. This is due to the poor living conditions of yard cats, as well as the frequent pregnancy of cats. Pets whose owners drive them outside will live even less, since they are not adapted to life in such wild and uncomfortable conditions. Discarded “fluffies” live on average on the street for about 4 years.
Those long-lived cats, whose life expectancy records were recorded in the world and in Russia, were all pets. They lived in comfortable conditions and were surrounded by love and attention. It is known that record-breaking cats lived twice as long as the average, up to 30 years. If compared to the age of a person, he would reach 170 years old. Of course, this is an exception to the rule, and not everything depends on these two factors.
