How Long Do Cats Live? Here's What to Expect

Wondering how long you'll have with your feline friend? Many things can affect a cat's expected lifespan.

We break down the science behind cat aging and cover the major factors that can affect how long a cat lives.

Key Takeaways

The average life expectancy for an indoor cat is 12-18 years.
However, with the right care, many cats live longer.
Many factors influence a cat's lifespan, including their lifestyle, diet, and the support they receive from their owner.

See More: Can Dogs Be Allergic to Cats?

Understanding Cat Longevity

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"A cat's life expectancy can vary widely, from a couple of years to a couple of decades, based on many factors. With the right support, many cats live well into their late teens."

As pet parents, we naturally want our feline friends to live forever. Unfortunately, that's not how life works.

But how long exactly should we expect to enjoy our cat's company?

You might have heard that one human year is the equivalent of seven cat years. This is actually a myth. Or, at the very least, it is no longer accepted as scientifically accurate.

In reality, cat aging is a little more complicated. There are many factors that can impact the average life expectancy of a cat. And there are things you can do to help support your cat, including when they're in their golden years.

We'll break all of that down to help you help your furry friend live their best life.

adult cat and kitten neutered cats tend indoor cats tend cats generally live healthy weight kidney disease house cats dental disease reproductive diseases mature cats health issues oldest reported cat

The Six Life Stages

Instead of trying to convert human years to cat years, veterinary medicine now typically divides a cat's life into six life stages:¹

Kitten
Junior
Young adult cat
Mature adult
Senior cat
Elderly cat

If you think about it, this makes sense. Humans also go through distinct life stages. It's a natural part of aging and growing up.

At first, kittens experience rapid growth. Their first year of life is considered the equivalent of the first 15 years of a human's life.²

Once younger cats reach the junior stage, they reach physical maturity. Like human adolescents, they may test boundaries.³

Next come the prime adult years. As cats age, they become more likely to develop issues, just like humans.⁴ While support and checkups with your vet are important at any time, they become all the more important as your cat enters the final stages of their life.

Bonus: Why Is My Dog Drinking a Lot of Water Lately?

cat on owner's lap inflammatory bowel disease healthy diet oral health health issues early well balanced diet wet food ideal body weight other cats high blood pressure outdoor lifestyle

What Factors Contribute to a Cat's Average Lifespan

The average life expectancy of domestic cats ranges between 12 and 18 years.5 Many cats live into their late teens with the right support and care. Some live even longer.⁶ For cats, that means a long and healthy life.

Plenty of factors can influence how long cats live.

Nutrition

Your cat's diet is very important. Just like in humans, a balanced diet with proper nutrition is key to overall health and wellness.⁷

The food you give your cat can also affect weight management, which is also key for overall health.

Breed

Different breeds of cats sometimes have different expected lifespans. Generally, mixed-breed cats tend to live longer than purebred cats.⁸

Life expectancy also varies between different purebred cats.⁹ Ultimately, every cat is different. Just like we humans.

Male Cats and Female Cats

A cat's sex can also play a role in their expected lifespan. Female cats tend to live 1 to 1.5 years longer than male cats.¹⁰ Their longer lifespan is often due to the fact that male cats tend to engage in more dangerous activities, like fighting over territory.

Spayed and Neutered Cats

The differences in life expectancy between male and female cats narrow if cats are spayed or neutered.¹¹

Spaying and neutering are procedures that prevent cats from having babies. Spaying is the term for female cats, and neutering is the term for male cats.

Spayed and neutered cats live longer, on average, than intact cats.¹²

Indoor and Outdoor Cats

Your cat's lifestyle plays a huge role in their life expectancy, and few aspects of that lifestyle are more important than where they spend most of their time.

Indoor cats can live 15 to 20 years longer than outdoor cats. On average, outdoor cats live for just 2 to 5 years.

There are many reasons for this discrepancy. For one thing, outdoor cats face many hazards, like predators and traffic. Indoor cats face far fewer risks compared to outdoor cats. They also benefit from the care you provide them.

person cuddling cat certain cancers mental stimulation health problems veterinary care diabetes mellitus creme puff lived certain diseases certain breeds proper care

How to Support Your Feline Friend

There are many ways to support your cat. For example, it's important to provide them with a safe, enriching home. As we discussed, a balanced diet and proper weight management are also crucial for health and longevity.

You can also try to support your cat with certain issues they might face.

Take stress, for example. Many things can stress cats out. And research suggests that stress can negatively impact your cat's health.

Research also suggests that CBD may help promote relaxation in cats.¹³ For example, one 2024 study gave cats CBD before separating them from their owners, a common stressor for cats. Signs of distress were "more evident" in cats given a placebo than those given CBD, which the researchers concluded "suggest anxiety-reducing effects of CBD in cats."¹⁴

Earth Buddy's Quick Calm for Cats delivers whole plant hemp extract with a rapid delivery emulsion technology that is designed to work faster than oils. Like CBD Oils, this Quick Calm spray is a great way to help your cat manage normal stress and maintain a normal disposition.

Another thing to watch for is your cat's joints. The majority of cats will experience joint issues as they age.¹⁵ These issues can seriously undermine their quality of life.

Research suggests that CBD and CBDa may help support healthy joints and reduce occasional discomfort.

Earth Buddy's Balance Hemp Extract for Cats blends CBD and CBDa to support joint comfort and everyday balance. This formula is fantastic for aging cats or those who need consistent, well-rounded daily support, whether from stress or for maintaining long-term comfort and mobility.

Digestive and immune health are also important. Research suggests that bovine colostrum can support both the immune system and help cats maintain proper gut flora.16

Earth Buddy's Colostrum for Dogs & Cats blends grass-fed bovine colostrum with whole plant hemp extract and organic blueberry powder. Colostrum is generally considered high-quality if it contains at least 5% IgG, a key immunoglobulin.17 Our colostrum contains 14% IgG.

Conclusion

The average life expectancy of a cat can vary based on many factors. With the right support, many cats can live well into their teens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should an Indoor Cat Live?

Indoor cats have an average lifespan of 12-18 years. Many live even longer.

What Is the 3-3-3 Rule for Cats?

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for how long it might take a newly adopted cat to adjust to its new home. It generally takes cats three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to really feel like this is their home.

How Old Is a 12-Year-Old Cat in Human Years?

A 12-year-old cat is generally considered to be the equivalent of a 69-year-old human.

Keep Reading: Why Is My Dog Limping? What Should I Do?

–

Sources

–

Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

How Long Do Cats Live? Here's What to Expect

Key Takeaways

Understanding Cat Longevity

The Six Life Stages