Have you decided that your household is a little empty without a cat? For many of us, this animal is an obvious and welcome guide in life, so we want to walk hand in hand as long as possible. Among the cats, there are breeds that “take it” with humans longer than others.
The average age of cats across modern breeds is around twelve years. However, there is a rather large difference between individual breeds, and a lot also depends on the conditions in which the animal lives, on its genetic makeup, nutrition, and also on whether it is a neutered individual or not. Castrated animals live up to several years longer on average.
A video on the YouTube channel PetBacker also talks about long-lived cats:
Source: Youtube
It’s safer at home
It is generally known that cats that live only in the home live to a higher age. It’s a logical matter – they don’t get hurt so often in the apartment, they don’t fight with the enemy, they don’t get infected with communicable diseases. In short, they are a bit like greenhouse flowers. However, cats are able to get used to such a life without major problems, and if they have enough stimuli for games and development, they will be satisfied. In addition, they will enjoy a longer healthy life.
The pedigree is good, but it is also possible without “papers”
Which breeds should we buy if we want to be a little more sure that we will be able to enjoy the cat’s presence for a really long time? According to research by English scientists, the best thing to do is to look for a cat that has not been bred, in short, a healthy (!) kitten, so-called without papers. As with dogs, it is true that dogs are often the most vital, and we can also apply this theory to cats. But let’s take a look at the recognized breeds.
Over 14 years of average life
Among them, the elegant Burmese cat reigns supreme with an average lifespan of 14.4 years, a record shared by the soft and gentle Burmese. Even more exotic breeds, i.e. Siamese and Persian cats, moved above the ten-year average, but they are successfully seconded by the ragdoll breed, which is very popular and widespread today.
From Norway to America
The border of the already mentioned ten years is also attacked by the bushy and “waterproof” Norwegian forest cat, similarly to the largest domesticated breed of cats originating from America – that is, the Maine coon. Breeders can look forward to an average of 9.7 years with these up to (in the case of cats) twelve-kilogram giants, just like with a British or Russian blue cat. On the opposite side of the longevity table was the sphinx, a cat suitable for allergy sufferers due to the absence of fur, with only 6.7 years.
Mittens wear love
Although veterinarians carefully monitor and record the average age of the animal that breeders bring to their office, we must remember that every animal is an individual, just like people. And so it is not impossible that even a fairly ordinary domestic cat, whose expected life expectancy is, for example, 11 years, will cross this limit almost twice. And it can be, for example, a quite ordinary Mouse from the village, which will bring the same joy to its breeders and leave in their souls the same (or maybe even more) love as the noblest animal. Therefore, let’s choose with our heart and give them the best care.
Sources: www.newscientist.com, www.livescience.com, www.independent.co.uk
