I have three, one is going to be 10, one is almost 8 and one is about 1 and a half. I would be devastated once the inevitable happens. But I had a co-worker who had a cat live to 20!! And she was an indoor/outdoor cat. Mine are strictly indoors and all up to date on their shots and see the vet at least once per year for their checkups.
2006-07-10 02:16:26 · 18 answers · asked by Left Footed 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
They are also spayed/neutered and have all their claws.
Eat a mixture of dry food (Purina One) and canned food (Meow Mix Select Entrees with no mean by products.)
2006-07-10 02:17:21 · update #1
Uh, that would no MEAT by products, not mean by products, LOL.
2006-07-10 02:24:33 · update #2
They should be fine,but if anything would happen you know that they have lived a great life with you...
2006-07-10 03:36:38 · answer #1 · answered by "Olivia Loves Raoul" 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is very hard to predict the life span of any animal. One factor that you have already covered is the type of care that they recieve. Proper care and nutrition can easily increase the life span of an animal by several years.
Another factor depends on the type of cat, and its family history. Many cats, as a result of breed, or simply of heredity are prone to certain problems later in life. Since most people do not know the history of their cat's genes, this factor can be very hard to predict.
For an average cat, that can be expected to have an average set of medical problems (older cats are prone to thyroid disorders etc.), one can expect it to live generally between 14 and 18 years, however like you said, many do live longer even into the twenties. At the very least, I can tell you, that an 11 year old cat can be expected to have several more years of health and happiness.
To share a personal story, I once had a cat that was almost twenty years old, and one day he escaped and was hit by a car. That goes to show that regardless of life expectancy, it is important to cherish every minute that one has with their pet.
Anna
2006-07-10 02:25:08 · answer #2 · answered by zwergel88 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well we have a i/o {indoor/outdoor} cat who is coming up on 16 and still going strong!Thats a rather broad question, and I'd have to give a general answer.
Given proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary visits, a cat kept indoors can live as long as 21 years or more. (The average age of cats is 12-15 years) This is, of course, barring any serious medical conditions.
Cats that are indoors-outdoors usually don't last to the the average age because of traffic accidents, fighting with other cats, intentional acts of violence, poisoning (accidental or intentional), diseases caught from other cats, being picked up by animal control and subsequently euthanized if not claimed, and death caused by predators.
"Stray cats" AKA "feral cats" usually don't live more than a couple of years because of starvation or all of the above.
go to http://catage.com for tips and ways to make ure cat healther!
2006-07-10 02:27:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A well cared-for, healthy, indoor cat can live up to 20 years or even more. I have a 17-year-old myself right now and she's showing no sign of slowing down.
Of course, you can't predict what might come up down the road, things like cancer, and of course there are no guarantees, but it sounds like you're on the right track to give your cats a good, long life.
2006-07-10 14:07:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can live to lower 20's is an average life span for an indoor cat. However pure breed cats don't have as long as a life span as mixed ones. Don't ask why i have no idea. Anyways my cat was 15 when he died from several medical problems and they vet said he was middle age when he died...
So take care of them and they should live till there 20's!
2006-07-10 04:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totally indoor cats that are well cared for can live into there 20's. There are exceptions to every rule. Your co-workers cat is one of them. Most cats that go out doors don't live that long.
2006-07-10 02:28:00 · answer #6 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have two cats. they r both 3 yrs old. and they r indoor/outdoor. my other cats i had before these ones were all indoor cats and they both lived til they were 11. i new a cat that lived til 18. yes there r chances like that but they r not normal. the normal is prob around 16 max.
2006-07-10 02:22:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Siamese, Muffy; lived to be 17 years old. Then there was Snoopy & Bandit who were going on 14 years old, but a stray cat came to our house and there was a cat fight. The cat had FIV! Both of my cats ended up sick and I had to have them put to sleep. I'am lucky, as my youngest cat, Tom; tested negative to the virus. But I think if you cat is given plenty of love and fed a good quality diet, and is up todate on it's shots there is no reason why your cat shouldn't enjoy a long life.
2006-07-10 04:02:30 · answer #8 · answered by Boomergirl60 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had indoor cats that have lived 17-19 years.
2006-07-10 02:47:47 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know of one who lived to be 23. Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats.
Look into the cat's vaccinations. They are not needed as much as we are told.
See the University of Illinois weblinks.
www.svm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle_pf.cfm?id=287
www.svm.uiuc.edu/ope/ivb/feline.htm
2006-07-10 02:35:02 · answer #10 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom and my older brother that had an indoor healthy Siamese cat name Smokey. He literally grew up with my older brother. My mom had to put him down because he was growing weaker of his old age and he was about seventeen in humans years.
2006-07-10 03:28:49 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋