However, genetics, lifestyle, diet and other factors play a large role in how long a tabby cat lives. Why It’s Important To Think In Terms Of Cat Years (Picture Credit: Getty Images) While knowing your cat’s age in cat years is fun, it’s also helpful when considering your cat’s health. If your cat ages in a healthy way, chances are they’ll even make it to their 20s. Recognizing when the end is approaching for your beloved feline will help you make the most loving and compassionate choices for her and for yourself. A 4 year old cat is considered in the prime of his life, being around 32 to 34 years old in human years. In one study of cat mortality, the most frequent causes were trauma (12.2%), renal disorder (12.1%), non-specific illness (11.2%), neoplasia (10.8%) and mass lesion disorders (10.2%). When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Indoor domesticated cats can live, barring unforeseen health issues, between 10–20 years. As a health care provider, that’s encouraging and heartening. While your furry friend might not have those superpowers, there are a variety of things you can do to help her live a long and healthy life. One of the important issues to keep in mind are the life stages of the kittens. Learn more. About 1 to 9 kittens with an average of 3 to 5. Most cats – including those with tabby patterns – live as long as 15 or 20 years, some older. I had 3 rag doll cats. Some have been known to live more than 20 years. After this, each additional year is around four ‘cat years’. If your cat is sleeping 15 hours per day, then you can pretty safely assume that she needs 15 hours per day. Here are 12 tips on how to increase cat life … While it is impossible to predict the lifespan of a cat based on their breeding alone, it is generally fair to say that mixed breed and non-pedigree cats usually live for rather longer than pedigree cats. The image above is an approximate calculation of how many years a cat would be if it were human. While these are the average numbers, many cats can live much longer than that. Cats who are kept indoors can reach the ripe old age of 17 or more years, whereas outdoor cats live an average of just two to five years. fleas and worms), having your cat spayed or snipped (neutered), etc. However, some Siamese cats pass away well before 15 years, as in all cat breeds. When the AFS investigated, the claim turned out to be based on the combined life-spans of 3 different cats. In a feline’s very first year, he or she reaches the human age of 15. Share: Contrary to popular belief, cats, dogs and other animals with black fur and skin are not unlucky. You need to protect your cat's health. For the following cat age chart in human years, note that overlap between life stages is common and all cats age differently. While cats can live healthy lives into their late teens and even early 20s, there comes a time when your pet will begin to decline, either due to old age or a progressive or terminal medical issue. Each month of the first two years of a cat’s life is equal to a human year. As evidence, indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. And there are lots and lots and lots of reader board messages. Where cats live depends primarily on the species. Just as with humans and other animals, diet and exercise have a great deal of influence on lifespan. This means that your five-year-old cat is about 37 years old in cat years. How Old is My Cat in Cat Years? But now I know a cat-only hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where, every time a cat reaches its 20th birthday, they put it up on their reader board. By a feline’s second year, he or she is the equivalent of age 24. And who knows, maybe yours will rival Creme Puff, the oldest known cat, who lived to a ripe old age of 38, enjoying a rather sophisticated diet of bacon and eggs, asparagus, broccoli, and coffee with heavy cream.. High fives, Creme Puff, you were awesome. One of the most important factors of a cat's health is its lifestyle. Spayed and neutered cats live longer because they do not develop ovarian or testicular cancers. respiratory viruses, urinary problems and digestive problems. If your cat vomits more than 24 hours or vomits and acts depressed, call your vet. Some of the most common feline health problems are colds and sniffles, i.e. Do you sometimes wish that your kitty really did have nine lives? Litter Size. A cat is considered a senior between 8 and 10 years of age. On average cats live to be 12-14 years old. During the first two years, cats become adults, so their first two years would be like our 24 years. 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