Whereas it is not unusual for cats to succeed in 15 years outdated, the longest residing cat breeds stand out as long-lived companions. There is not any assure that your cat will stay into their 20s, as nature and nurture each are figuring out components. However choosing a cat breed with an extended lifespan and taking nice care of your cat improves your odds of getting a loving feline for a few years.
Listed below are 12 of the longest residing cat breeds.
How Lengthy Do Cats Dwell?
On common, cats stay 15 years. High quality diet, enough train, and common wellness checks will maximize a cat’s lifespan. There aren’t breed-specific traits about one breed or one other that make them longer-living cats.
Some breeds could have a better prevalence for illness or well being issues, which might shorten a cat’s life. Fairly the other, blended breeds might have a larger likelihood of longevity for broadening the gene pool.
Nevertheless, all specialists agree that the No. 1 commonality that each one long-lived cats have is they’re indoor cats. Cats allowed to roam outdoors are at increased danger of run-ins with automobiles, catfights, and illness. Home cats which can be allowed open air have the shortest lifespan of solely two to 5 years on common.
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Siamese
Initially from Thailand, the hanging Siamese is a wonderful cat breed that has fascinated individuals for hundreds of years. They’re identified for a lanky stature and distinct markings, together with a social and vocal nature.
Some Siamese cats are susceptible to dental and respiratory situations, however in any other case, the breed has no vital well being issues. Its common lifespan is 12 to twenty years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Sociable, pleasant, vocal
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; seal, chocolate, blue, lilac; colorpoint
Life Span: 12 to twenty years
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Burmese
![Burmese cat being petted]()
The Burmese—initially a cross between a little bit brown cat from Burma and Siamese cats—is a playful, social, and adventurous feline. Though the breed is mostly wholesome, the Burmese does have a predisposition to cranial deformities, in addition to glaucoma.
Regardless of these well being issues, the Burmese’s common lifespan is 16 to 18 years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Pleasant, affectionate, playful
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; sable, champagne, platinum, blue, and variations of every
Life Span: 16 to 18 years
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Savannah Cat
![Savannah cat]()
The Savannah cat—half African serval and half home cat—is beneficial just for skilled homeowners. Regardless of not being absolutely domesticated, Savannah cats might be pleasant with individuals. However they have an inclination to have unpredictable, energetic, and daring temperaments.
This hybrid breed is mostly wholesome and has an estimated common lifespan of 12 to twenty years, making it one of many longest residing cat breeds.
Breed Overview
Peak: 12 to 14 inches
Weight: 20 to 30 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Affectionate, social, clever
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Quick to medium hair; tawny, black/brown noticed tabby, black/silver noticed tabby, or black smoke with a strong or tabby sample
Life Span: 12 to twenty years
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Egyptian Mau
![A spotted Egyptian mau cat stretching in front of flowers.]()
Named for his or her presence in historical Egyptian artwork, the Egyptian mau is a wonderful cat with a characteristically noticed coat. These cats are typically snug with individuals, making themselves an integral a part of the household and anticipating to be handled as such.
Whereas some are susceptible to coronary heart illness, the breed’s common lifespan is 12 to fifteen years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 9 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Playful, energetic, devoted
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Quick to medium hair; silver, bronze, or smoke with darkish spots of various sizes that happen solely on the guidelines of fur; black, caramel, and blue/pewter colours additionally happen
Life Span: 12 to fifteen years
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Ragdoll
![ragdoll cat looking up with bright blue eyes]()
The easygoing, light Ragdoll usually loves people and needs to comply with them in all places. They’re additionally infamous for going limp in leisure when held, therefore the “ragdoll” title.
The breed is mostly wholesome, however some cats are susceptible to bladder stones and coronary heart illness. Nonetheless, its common lifespan is round 15 years or extra.
Breed Overview
Peak: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to twenty kilos
Persona/Temperament: Pleasant, easygoing, cuddly
Vitality Degree: Low to Medium
Coat and Shade: Lengthy hair; chocolate, purple, seal, blue, lilac, cream; colorpoint, bicolor, mitted, van
Life Span: 15 years
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Balinese
![balinese cat lying on side]()
The Balinese probably originated as a spontaneous, longhaired mutation of the Siamese. The one vital distinction between the 2 breeds is the coat size. Just like the Siamese, the Balinese is pleasant, energetic, and chatty. And this cat needs to be concerned within the goings-on of the house.
The Balinese is likely one of the longest residing cat breeds as a result of its common lifespan is round 12 to twenty years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Loving, outgoing, clever
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Lengthy hair; creamy white physique with a wide range of potential shade factors on the face, ears, legs, tail
Life Span: 12 to twenty years
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Russian Blue
![russian blue cat with dilated pupils]()
The Russian blue is a quiet and relatively reserved cat who tends to be affectionate with household however not clingy. You will typically discover this cat resting in a sunny spot or surveying their territory from the very best level they’ll discover.
The breed is susceptible to bladder stones and eye issues, however its common lifespan is 15 to twenty years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Pleasant, clever, aloof
Vitality Degree: Medium
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; metal blue
Life Span: 15 to twenty years
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Bombay
![bombay cat on cat tree]()
The Bombay was bred to appear like a miniature panther, and doesn’t disappoint. These cats are typically easygoing and affectionate. They like to play, however they’re additionally happy curling up of their favourite individual’s lap.
The breed is susceptible to respiratory issues because of a brief muzzle, coronary heart illness, and extra tearing. Its common lifespan is round 12 to 16 years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to fifteen kilos
Persona/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable, needy
Vitality Degree: Medium
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; black
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
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American Shorthair
![american shorthair on couch]()
The American shorthair—the pedigreed model of the home shorthair—is standard for households with kids due to their playful and easygoing temperament. These cats are often good at entertaining themselves, they usually do not demand consideration. However in addition they admire interactive play and socialization.
Most are typically wholesome however might be susceptible to coronary heart illness. The breed has a median lifespan of 15 to twenty years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to fifteen kilos
Persona/Temperament: Light, affectionate, playful
Vitality Degree: Medium
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; many colours, together with white, silver, black, cream, blue, brown, purple; tabby, calico, tortoiseshell, bi-color, strong
Life Span: 15 to twenty years
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Birman
![Birman cat]()
The Birman is a wonderful cat with a colorpoint coat, blue eyes, and white paws. They’re social, light, and candy, and hate to be alone. They’ll get together with nearly everybody, so that they’re incredible pets.
This breed might be susceptible to some well being points, equivalent to hyperthyroidism, eye issues, and diabetes. Nevertheless, as a result of the Birman has a median lifespan of 12 to 16 years, that is one other one of many longest residing cat breeds.
Breed Overview
Peak: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 14 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Light, quiet, loving
Vitality Degree: Medium
Coat and Shade: Medium-long to lengthy hair; heavy ruff round neck; varied colorpoints and patterns
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
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Persian
![Picture of Persian Cat MinMin]()
It’s simple to acknowledge a Persian as a result of they’ve a definite flat face and a protracted coat. These cats are calm and loving, and in contrast to different breeds, they’ve a low vitality stage, so that they’re nice for these searching for a relaxed cat.
This breed has a median lifespan of 15 to twenty years. However the construction of their face makes them susceptible to brachycephalic syndrome, and the breed can also be predisposed to polycystic kidney illness, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and eye issues like progressive retinal atrophy.
Breed Overview
Peak: 10 to fifteen inches
Weight: 7 to 12 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Candy, light, affectionate
Vitality Degree: Low
Coat and Shade: Lengthy hair; blue, black, white, purple, cream, chocolate, lilac, silver, golden; strong, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor
Life Span: 15 to twenty years
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Oriental Shorthair
![Oriental shorthair with blue coat]()
The Oriental shorthair is a protracted, lean cat with a clean coat that lies near their physique. They love being round individuals and don’t prefer to be left alone. They’re additionally vocal and can “discuss” to you with a wide range of meows and chirps.
Although the breed might be inclined to varied situations like bladder stones and progressive retinal atrophy, it has a median lifespan of 15 years.
Breed Overview
Peak: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 12 kilos
Persona/Temperament: Affectionate, playful, sociable
Vitality Degree: Excessive
Coat and Shade: Quick hair; white, black, grey/blue, brown, orange (300 variations); strong, shaded, smoke, tabby
Life Span: 15 years
Breeds to Keep away from
Some cat breeds fall barely wanting the common cat lifespan of 15 years. For example, Singapura cats stay round 9 to fifteen years. Munchkin cats have a median lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
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How outdated was the oldest cat on the planet?
Whereas there are numerous claims about this, the Guinness Ebook of World Data names the oldest cat as a 38-year-old Texas cat named Creme Puff.
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Can a cat stay 20 years?
Sure! Whereas most cats have a shorter lifespan—within the 15-year vary—many cats do stay to be 20.
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Do purebred cats stay longer?
Every cat is a person, and a number of components affect how lengthy they’ll stay, so lifespan isn’t solely based mostly on breed. Usually, nonetheless, purebred cats have shorter lifespans than blended breed cats.
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