If you are the new owner of a cute feline friend, you will never want them to leave you, and you will find yourself often thinking of the question of how long do indoor cats live.
The good news is that you need not worry as due to the developments in veterinary medicine as well as nutrition, indoor cats have started leading a healthy life, and live longer as well.
Let us start our journey of knowing our indoor cats better.
1. How Long Do Indoor Cats Live? Indoor Cat’s Life Expectancy
Are you interested in knowing how long your cuddly companion will stay with you?
Well, if you provide them with proper nutrition, a balanced diet, a healthy environment, on time vaccinations, they may have a lifespan between the ages of 12 and 18.
In a few cases, you will be surprised to find indoor cats living till they turn 20 years. Furthermore, are you aware that a cat by the name of Creme puff holds a world record?
A cat with a world record? Are you surprised to hear this and want to know the reason? Here it is. Creme puff lived till he turned 38, and was the oldest indoor cat on record.
2. Details About the Life Expectancy of Outdoor Cats
The average life expectancy of outdoor cats will not be the same as your house cats.
This is because outdoor cats live and roam outside without restrictions and are not under supervision too. Hence they are at great risk, resulting in their average lifespan reducing to half, and they live shorter lives than house cats.
2.1. What Are the Risks Faced by Outdoor Cats?
The risks faced by outdoor cats include contracting infectious diseases, and viruses namely Feline Leukaemia. They might also encounter trauma due to vehicle accidents or attacks from predators.
They also risk getting affected by intestinal parasites, fleas, and others.
3. Do All Cats Love Outdoor Activities?
Not all cats are a fan of the outdoors. You can find a few cats who like outdoor activities with their pet owners namely walking on a leash, and this has an impact on their emotional and social behavior.
However, most cats may prefer being indoors in a healthy environment. Due to this, these cats tend to live longer than the cats who prefer roaming.
4. Factors Influencing a Cat’s Life Expectancy
There are many factors that you can find determining the life expectancy of cats. These include nutrition, healthy diet, lifestyle, breed of cats, genetics, and a few more.
Different breeds have different lifespans, and when it comes to nutrition and lifestyle, if not followed properly, your cat may experience obesity and several health issues.
You can also find a general opinion that hereditary illnesses occur in a mixed breed cat less often than in purebred cats, and due to this, these cats live a few years longer.
5. What if Your Indoor Cat Remains Outdoors for a Long Time?
Is your pet spending its time indoors as well as outdoors? How much time your cat spends outside will vary, as it all comes down to the place you reside, the amount of time your cat remains outdoors, and some more factors. It is best not to allow your cat outside for a long time. To make your cats feel comfortable indoors, we suggest buying a cat tree house. We have some options given below. This will help your cats enjoy their time indoors, and feel at home.
Indian residents
U.S. residents
5.1. What Causes Anxiety in Indoor or Outdoor Cats?
If your place has many predators roaming on the street or your street is filled with busy cars, it is not advisable to leave your cats outside in such cases, as it causes trauma or cat anxiety. Again, you might want to get your cats a tree house of fun activities to do indoors – we have some great choices for you in our lists.
You don’t want to make your purry friends’ life miserable. And while cats can stay on their own for days, they do get bored.
6. Life Stages of a Cat
Your cat ages and there are various life stages involved in this aging process, which are full of challenges. Here are the details for you.
6.1. Stage 1 – Kitten
Your kitty is quite new, and you can find them very playful at this stage.
The majority of kittens don’t require much assistance for their bathroom as well as feeding habits, yet if you want to shape their behavior, you should let them socialize, and allow them to play appropriately.
6.1.1. Healthy Diet for Kittens
For your kitten to develop into a big and strong cat, you have to provide them with a diet that is particularly tailored for their growth, as their caloric requirements are high at this stage.
You can also introduce your kittens’ immune system to vaccines namely FVRCP, rabies, and FeLV.
6.2. Stage 2 – Young Adult
In this life stage of your cat, you can notice that their physical growth would have stopped, yet they remain playful and active.
Younger cats will have a drop in their calorie requirements, and their food should be that of an adult cat. You should also ensure that they have a healthy weight to avoid the risk of getting diabetes and arthritis.
6.3. Mature Adult
At this stage, your cat is a mature cat and their playfulness reduces. You might find these mature cats spending most of their time lying.
You might also notice behavioral changes in the way they use their litter boxes and their activities during nighttime.
For instance, older cats who previously used to be active during the day will now be the same during the night and sleep for long hours during the daytime.
6.3.1. Most Prevalent Diseases During This Stage
Problems related to kidney, liver, and dental disease are more prevalent during this stage, and hence their health conditions should be monitored frequently.
6.4. Senior Cats
When your cat reaches this stage, you may find them relaxed. Most senior cats live indoors spending their time resting. If you identify any abnormal changes in your senior cat, consulting your vet is the best option.
7. Few Tips for Your Cat to Have a Long Life
Every cat owner desires to have their pets with them forever. Though this is impossible, here are a few tips to increase their cat years a little longer.
- Ensure your cat gets proper medical care, and administer their vaccines on time.
- Monitor your cat’s behavior, and make an appointment with your vet in case of any changes
- Maintain your cat’s weight, and prevent them from getting obese to avert health issues.
Get Your Cat a Comfortable Place to Live In
Cats who spend time indoors need to keep themselves engaged. As a pet owner, you would know that cats tend to keep to themselves at times – and so a cat tree gym or a cat tree tower can be a great bet.
These don’t take up much space in your home, and can be a great way for your cat to get accustomed to living indoors – happily.
We have some recommendations for you – check these out no matter where you’re from!
Cat-friendly choices for those from India:
Sometimes, all your cat needs is an interactive bouncing rolling ball that can keep them engaged for hours. Or, a tree house they can sleep in.
- Get your cat some good cat food. Here are a few options.
Or, some cat toys and accessories?
Top choices for indoor Cats in the U.S.
Cat-friendly options if you’re living in Canada
8. FAQs
How Long do Cats Live?
An indoor cat can live between the ages of 12 and 15, and sometimes even up to 20 years, while an outdoor cat does not have the same life expectancy.
Is it Safe if Your Indoor Cat Lingers Outdoors for a Long Time?
No, you shouldn’t allow them to remain outdoors for long hours.
When is the Right Age to Introduce Vaccines to Your Feline Friends?
Stage 1 (Kitten) is the right age.
Bottom Line
Enjoy the golden years of your pet to the maximum, provide them with proper feline medicine, get expert advice wherever required, and take good care of your feline friend. And don’t forget to splurge on things your purry friend will love!
