New Study Explains How Long Cat Breeds Are Expected to Live and It's So Sad

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom and the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan wrote in a study published Wednesday that different cat breeds have different life expectancies, in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Most domestic cats, the tabby cats and calico cats you can find at your local shelter, live an average of 18 years. When you look at more exotic cat breeds how long they live varies greatly from average cats.

The study states that amongst fancy breed cats, Burmese and Birman breeds were found to have the longest life expectancy, at 14.4 years, Siamese cats on average 11.7 years, Maine Coon cats 9.7 and Sphynx cats just over 6 years.

As a Maine Coon cat mom, this makes me very sad.

The study also states that female cats live 1.33 years longer than male cats.

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CNN reports, "Researchers also found that purebred cats were likely to have shorter lives, as were those that were either too light or too heavy.

Lead study author Kendy Teng, assistant professor of Animal Welfare Epidemiology at NCHU, said these life tables are “a significant milestone in understanding the life of cats.”

“Knowing the expected lifespan of their cats, we’re not just raising awareness, we’re helping the owners to make ‘pawsitive’ decisions for their cats,” she said in the statement."

Well, regardless of what type of cat lives in your house, I think all of us cat owners can agree that science needs to stop coming up with new ways to stop male pattern baldness and more ways for all of our cats to live forever.

I'm pretty sure if I could swap one of my years of my life to give my cat a few more years of their life I would do it. How can I make that bargain? In the meantime, here are some ways that can help our beloved fur babies live as long of a life as possible.

How To Make Your Cat Live the Longest and Healthiest Life Possible

One of the best things you can do for your cat's life expectancy is to keep them inside. Unless you are outside supervising them in the confines of your own yard. Indoor cats live on average between 10-20 years, where outdoor cats typically live between 2-5 years.

Another thing you can do is get your cat spayed or neutered.  In one study conducted by the Banfield Pet Hospital, spayed female cats in the study lived 39% longer and neutered male cats lived 62% longer.

Keep your cat up to date on their vaccinations. Schedule an appointment with their vet for regular checkups and dental care.

Feed your cat a healthy diet and watch their weight, because excess pounds can lead to health problems. Make sure your cat gets both physical stimulation with toys and mental stimulation.

Give them all the love and affection they deserve.

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