Deciding on which breed of cat to adopt is difficult, really difficult. There are so many cute breeds, some are really athletic, some are really social and love sitting on laps, others are very independent.
Maybe the lifespan is something you’re taking into consideration too. So, which cats live the longest and will be part of your family for many years to come?
There is a lot of conflicting information around about how long different breeds of cat are expected to live.
It’s not an exact science. However, I have compiled a few lists from reliable sources and used the best estimate to bring you the average life expectancy for 15 of the longest living cat breeds below:
Which Cats Live the Longest on Average? Here are 15 Kitties with a Long Life Expectancy
| Breed | Average Age |
|---|---|
| Chartreux | 20 |
| Balinese | 20 |
| Ragdoll | 19 |
| Egyptian Mau | 19 |
| Savannah | 19 |
| Nebelung | 17 |
| Snowshoe | 17 |
| Turkish Angora | 17 |
| Bombay | 17 |
| Russian Blue | 17 |
| Japanese Bobtail | 16 |
| American Shorthair | 16 |
| Siamese | 16 |
| Burmese | 16 |
| Ragamuffin | 15 |
These numbers are the average life expectancy of these breeds. A lot of these cats, like the Chartreux, Ragdoll, and Balinese can easily live to 25 years old.
Average lifespan of an indoor cat – Between 18-20 years.
Average lifespan of an outdoor cat – Between 13-17 years.
Average lifespan of a tabby cat – Between 15-20 years.
How Old Was the Oldest Cat Ever?
The oldest cat on record is believed to have been 38 years old. She was called Creme Puff and lived in Texas, US.
How to Give Your Cat a Long and Happy Life
Much like us, if you want your cat to live as long as possible you have to give it lots of love, care, and attention.
As well as good nutrition, medical care if necessary, exercise, and plenty of fussing of course!
Nutrition – When you first take in a kitten make sure you’re feeding it the appropriate kitten food for its age and breed.
Water – Some breeds have specific dietary needs, so always research your breed of cat thoroughly and speak with certified professionals like your local veterinarian.
Always keep fresh water available. If you think your cat isn’t drinking enough try using a fountain that has running water, cats are much more attracted to running water.
Exercise – Different breeds have very different exercise requirements. Even house cats need exercise, even if they do try sleeping 20 hours a day and pretending they don’t!
House cats can get exercise through playing and interactive toys. Outdoor cats will get plenty of exercise chasing other animals and climbing trees.
Something you must avoid with cats in particular is allowing them to get overweight. There are lots of health complications that come with obesity and it greatly reduces their life expectancy.
Health Care – Check with your local vet what they recommend, but generally speaking a checkup every year or so is a good idea. As well as regulalry keeping up-to-date with worming and flea treatments you can do at home.
They will weigh your cat and check their teeth and nails for signs of damage. If you think your cat is having any health issues always get them checked out asap, it’s the responsible thing to do.
Here is a cool video of a well-loved 23 year old cat: