How Long Do Cats Live In Captivity? Lifespan For Common Cats



Would you like to know the average lifespan of cats that live in captivity?

You are lucky because in this article we have all of the answers for you!

Here you can read all about the differences in lifespans of indoor and outdoor cats, discover what are some of the longest living indoor cat breeds as well as read a few tips on how to prolong your cat’s life expectancy. If all of this sounds interesting to you, please continue reading!

cat in captivity

How Long Do Cats Live In Captivity?

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Cats

Research has shown that indoor cats tend to live up to three times longer than outdoor cats. That is because in most cases indoor cats are vaccinated, sterilized, and have regular access to both food and water, unlike outdoor cats. Indoor cats have an average lifespan of 16.8 years. Outdoor cats are more prone to illnesses and they also have an increased risk of accidents happening to them. The average lifespan of an outdoor cat is about 5.6 years which is a result of this how long do cats live in the wild.

How Long Do Cats Live In Captivity?

The average lifespan of cats that live in captivity is between 12 and 20 years. It depends on many external, but also internal factors such as their environment, stress levels, diet and nutrition, activity levels, genetics, etc. It depends on the cat breed as long as there is a difference of for example Bengal cat life and Bombay cat life.

Breeds With The Longest Lifespan

Even though it is not possible to know exactly how long will your cat lives, there are some breeds that live longer than others. The Siamese and Manx breeds are two breeds that have been recorded to live up to 20 or even 30 years. Also, some domestic mixed-breed cats have the potential to live longer than 20 years.

cat boring in captivity

Most Common Death Causes

Even though cats can live quite a long life, there are a few common diseases they are more prone to. These are all kinds of kidney diseases, cancer as well as heart disease. There is a limited time of how long do cats live with kidney failure. Some breeds are also known to have genetic illnesses passed down from generation to generation.

How To Prolong Cat’s Life?

Even though living in captivity and having someone who takes care of them already prolongs their life, there are other few ways in which it can be done. The owner should take their cat to the vet for regular check-ups. Also, make sure that your cat is getting enough exercise and a balanced diet with enough nutrients it needs. You can also keep it away from other animals that could hurt your cat as well as give them a comfortable environment.

To Sum Up

It is no secret that cats that live in captivity live longer than any outdoor cats who are on their own. Their average lifespan depends on many factors such as their genetics, diet and nutrition, activity levels, etc. but it is usually between 12 and 20 years. But there have been cases recorded where certain cat breeds lived from up to 20 or even 30 years. If you want to reward your cat with treats every once in a while, check out the cat camera treat dispenser article we have on the link. We also have another article all on the home camera for pets if you are interested to read it.



Joana
Joana has graduated in Linguistics in 2014. and began her work experience as a journalist and freelance writer. Her professional writing experience, as well as experience with pets, brought her to Petovly where she’s an editor. Working on the site, she collaborates with vets and animal shelter workers she has met when she was volunteering as a student. This experience made her an expert in pets’ care, breeds, and diseases.