If you\u2019re thinking of getting a cat, you may wonder how long they\u2019re likely to be in your life. Cats Protection\u2019s central veterinary officer Sarah Elliott explains all. <\/p>
Thanks to better veterinary treatments and care, cats are now living longer and happier lives than ever. While the average cat’s lifespan is somewhere between 12 and 14 years, it\u2019s not uncommon for some cats to live into their late teens.<\/p>
The Guinness World Records\u2122 title for the oldest cat alive is currently held by Flossie, who is 28 years old. She\u2019d been handed into Cats Protection<\/a> for rehoming and is now living out her twilight years with new owner Vicki Green in Orpington in south-east London. Cats Protection veterinary officer Sarah Elliott says: \u201cDespite being deaf and having failing eyesight, Flossie is still playful, affectionate and enjoys a good quality of life. She\u2019s a wonderful example of why older cats make great pets.\u201d<\/p> \u201cIt\u2019s a myth that only kittens and young cats like to play, and many older cats will still enjoy chasing toys and having fun with their owners,\u201d explains Sarah. In fact, if a playful cat is top of your wish list, you may be best to choose an older cat, says Sarah. \u201cAll kittens are playful, as it\u2019s how they learn important life skills, but just as with humans, they\u2019ll all grow up to have different personalities. Some may grow up to be more independent and outdoorsy, some may become lap cats and others will remain fun-loving and exuberant. If playfulness is important for you in a pet, you\u2019re best to go to a rehoming charity and ask to be matched with a fun-loving adult cat rather than a kitten.\u201d<\/p> The first year of a cat\u2019s life is when they grow the quickest and learn the most, and a one-year-old kitten will be around 15 in human years. They\u2019ll then enter the junior phase of their life before reaching their prime years, between three and six \u2013 this is when cats are normally at peak fitness. <\/p> When they\u2019re seven years old, cats move into the mature phase and may start to slow down a little and be more susceptible to weight gain. <\/p> At age 11, cats are considered to be senior and at 14 a cat will have a human age of around 70. Anything over 15 is considered \u2018super senior\u2019 and while some will still have the energy of a kitten, others will be enjoying a quieter pace of life. At 15 years old they\u2019re 76 in human years and reach 100 in human years when they turn 21.<\/p> \u201cAs owners, there\u2019s lots we can do to help our cats lead longer, healthier and happier lives,\u201d says Sarah. \u201cNeutering is particularly important as neutered cats tend to live longer.\u201d Regular vet checks, vaccinations and a healthy diet are all important, as is encouraging exercise. Finally, keeping cats in at night will keep them safer.<\/p> More advice on caring for cats is available at www.cats.org.uk<\/a><\/p> Love cats? Check out our\u00a0pets<\/a>\u00a0section for advice on cat care from\u00a0How to take your cat to the vet without stress<\/a>\u00a0to <\/strong>how to get rid of fleas<\/strong><\/a><\/p>When do cats stop being playful?<\/strong><\/h2>
What are the life stages of a cat?<\/strong><\/h2>
How to help your cat live longer<\/strong><\/h2>