How long do cats live?

Question

We have Tigger who is about 16 years old and the past few days we have noticed that he is losing weight and acting weird. We have a baby gate up so the puppies can't get in the laundry room where his food and litter box are and he isn't able to get over it anymore. This is the only cat that I have ever had that was this old so I am wondering if this is normal when they get old and if this could just be a phase. If this isn't a phase do they live much longer once this happens? Thank you in advance, my husband got Tigger when he was in middle school so he is part of the family.

Answer 1

Cats can live anywhere from 15 to 25 years on average.

Tigger is a senior cat, and it's not surprising that he really doesn't feel like jumping over a baby gate anymore. At 16, he is the equivalent of a 77 year old man.

As far as how long he'll live, no one can really know that. From the sounds of it, he's reaching the end of his life, but the only way to know for sure is to take him to a vet. A vet will be able to tell you if Tigger's weight loss is a normal part of aging, if he thinks he's dying, or if he's sick.

Good luck!

Answer 2

My cat is 19 1/2 years old. Over a year ago she lost three pounds for no apparent reason and wasn't grooming herself very well. I took her in to the vet for all kinds of tests, a full workup.

Turns up she is just an old cat. Her weight has stabilized, and I supplement her dry food with canned food or Gerber strained meats. She has arthritis in her hip and can't groom herself so well, so I have to do more for her. She still can jump up on my bed and get up and down the stairs ok. If that becomes a problem I'll get her a step stool and move the litter box.

She has definitely gotten "weirder" as she gets older. But she's still my little baby and I love her.

I got scared that she was dying and ran out and adopted two feral cats from the shelter. That way I will never be "catless". Getting the new kitties actually perked her up and she became more playful!

Answer 3

Get tigger to the vets 16 is a good age for a cat and I think he needs to go. It may not be anything but he is a very old cat in cat years he is about 75 yrs old

Answer 4

Cats live an average of 15-20 years. It sounds like you need to take Tigger to the vet for a check up. At his age it could be anything. Best of luck.

Answer 5

I have two senior cats, both are 16. Alex started to lose weight and act drunk. I found out he is suffering from hyperthyroidism and heart problems. We are treating him and he's holding his own. He's still really skinny because we had to take him off the thyroid medicine because of the side effects, which can be fierce.It could be time for Tigger to have a full work up with the Vet.

Answer 6

Unfortunately Tigger is quite old for a cat. They can live up to 20 years or so. I would take him to the vet immediately. If he is part of the family, then he is definitely worth the money you will spend. Good luck!!!!

Answer 7

We had cats live to be 20 and 21 if well taken care of and loved. He might have a health problem like uti or worms. I would have him checked out especially because puppies are carriers of worms from birth. If he cannot get over the gate anymore does he live in the laundry room now. This could be part of his problem too a feeling of being displaced.

Answer 8

I think the record age for a cat is less than thirty years, but sixteen is quite old for most cats.
Take Tigger to the vet. He may just be sick, or he may be at the end of the road.

Answer 9

This is normal for a cat who's older than 15 or so. Tigger could be sick, take him to the vet for a checkup.

Answer 10

I've had 4 cats. 2 lived to be 19 1 18, and my girl was 16. The last two stopped eating pretty much at the end and I had to hav e them put to sleep after talking to the vet. It broke my heart but the vet told me it was the humane thing to do.