Introduction: Long Living Cat Breeds
Thinking about getting a cat? Here’s how it goes: She’ll come into your life as a wide-eyed kitten and soon transform your house into a jungle of her very own as she worms her way into your heart like nobody else has ever done.
For most cat lovers, the feline ends up being much more than just a pet – she’ll become your friend, your constant companion, your napping partner, and even your alarm clock.
Trust us when we say you want this to last for as long as possible.
‘Though the last thing you’re probably thinking about when you’re about to get a new cat is how long they will live, it is one of the most important aspects to consider. There is nothing more devastating to a cat owner than losing a beloved feline so if you can increase the chance of your chosen cat living the longest, healthiest life possible, it’s wise to do so.
The good news is that if you live in a country with good veterinary care, the average life-span of a neutered domestic cat is around 14 years old and on the rise. There are a lot more cats these days reaching their late teens and early twenties!
Compare that to the 6-8 year lifespan of feral cats who might fall victim to accidents, illness, food shortages and predators and you start to see how important lifestyle factors are in determining the lifespan of cats.
The best thing you can do to make sure your cat lives a long, healthy life is to make sure that she is well-cared for and safe. Keeping her indoors can also help extend your cat’s lifespan as long as you ensure she gets plenty of exercise and stimulation to stave away obesity and stress.
The second best thing you can do? Choose a cat breed that has less health problems that will interfere with her chance of a long, prosperous life.
To help you do that, we’ve made a list of the longest living cat breeds around. There are plenty of them so you’ll definitely be able to find the purrfect feline fit for you!
Egyptian Mau
Egyptian Mau Breed Lifespan: 15-20 years
I’m one of the heartiest, healthiest cat breeds and not particularly prone to any kinds of disease. That being said, I need lots of vigorous play daily for my – and your – peace of mind.
I also appreciate being showered with affection and attention as often as possible. And most importantly I thrive best as the only pet in the household. Competition is just not my thing.
What I am great at, however, is tracking down prey. Should you let me out, you’ll be impressed to find I have top-notch hunting skills, I may bring you back a gift or two. Especially if you’re one of my favorite humans.
Yes, I do play favorites and I always prefer those humans over strangers.
Read more about the Egyptian Mau.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll Breed Lifespan: 15-25 years
My name gives me away. I am every bit as big, fluffy, and easy-going as a ragdoll. I’ll even go limp when you pick me up ? which I’ll let you do even if you’re a total stranger.
I m just friendly like that, though my sociability never gets annoying. At most, I’ll follow you from room to room just to remain within petting distance. It’s easy to love me, which is why I m toward the top of this list.
Sphynx
Sphynx Breed Lifespan: 15-20 years
I am the sweetest cat towards strangers and owners alike. But if you’ve ever met me, you already knew that. That’s cause what I lack in hair, I make up for in friendliness and devotion. So much so that I’ve earned the nickname “velcro kitty.”
Highly sociable and unreservedly affectionate, I know no shame when it comes to begging for attention.
I’ll greet you when you get home, follow you wherever you go, talk to you endlessly, learn to play fetch so we can bond further, and even snuggle up to sleep with you. Personal space? isn’t in my repertoire so no boundaries between us, okay
I also live a long time, so be prepared for decades of unadulterated affection! Good thing I don’t shed much and am hypoallergenic, huh
Nebelung
Nebelung Breed Lifespan: 15-18 years
Intense green eyes, pointed ears and silvery blue, floating coat…I admit I do have a decidedly other worldly appearance. It’s mostly due to my unique coat, with all its silvery blue hues and a wispy, silky texture that has the appearance of floating around my body.
And it’s this beautiful long coat of mine that’s the inspiration behind my name, Nebelung, which translates to creature of the mist or fog? in German.
But I’m more than just a gorgeous fluffy grey cat. Introverted by nature, I’m every bit as genteel and reserved as my dignified looks suggest and prefer to save my love for just one or two special humans rather than everyone.
I m easy to love back since I m fairly low-maintenance and quiet, but just keep in mind that I m a sensitive cat and my affections need to be reciprocated.
Bombay
Bombay Breed Lifespan: 15-20 years
Jet black and beautiful, I am nowhere near as mysterious as my looks suggest. In fact, I m an open book ? wide open to giving and receiving as much lovin? affection to and from every living being on earth. Both my humans and strangers are okay with me!
I even like the little humans and thrive when living with active – and more importantly, interactive – families, making me one of the best cat breeds for kids.
I crave affection like a fat kid craves cake and I’ll follow my humans all around in order to get my fill of love, snuggles, and belly rubs. Of course, if you want to put me on a leash and take me out to mingle with the world, I m game for that, too!
Siamese
Siamese Breed Lifespan: 16-20 years
I am a straight up extrovert who loves to mingle and be right where the action is. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing ? you can bet I’ll there, making myself a part of any activity you’re up to.
And I m no quiet participant, either ? in fact, I m one of the chattiest cats ever, with valuable opinions on every matter under the sun. But as loud and demanding as I can be, I m also unabashedly affectionate and tirelessly sociable, which makes me a real pleasure to have around.
Oh, I almost forgot! Guess who was named the world’s oldest living cat by the Guinness Book of World Records last month? Scooter, a 30-year-old Siamese cat! The reason cited for his longevity? His activeness, which all of us Siamese busybodies possess in spades.
Savannah
Savannah Breed Lifespan: 17-20 years
Despite my wildcat looks, I don’t belong in the wild. In fact, my roots stem from the pairing of a Siamese Sealpoint and an African Serval so I’m one of those hybrid cat breeds you can keep at home.
Another perk? According to the experts over at petMD, I’m one of the healthiest cat breeds and have no known established health problems.
On top of all that, I’m the total package: beautiful, athletic, and smart. You can even teach me to walk on a leash and I will impress you with my ability to jump 8 feet straight into the air and master tricks like fetch? and sit .
Burmese
Burmese Breed Lifespan: 18-25 years
Did you know that the official record holder for the oldest living cat is a 35-year-old Burmese? Yup, I come from good stock.
And that’s a great thing ’cause you’ll want to have me around for as long as you possibly can. Why I am the soft and satiny social butterfly of the feline world. I live to mix and mingle and will do so with everyone. Everyone, you ask Absolutely! You’ll never see me turning down a petting session from a stranger or an appreciative smooch from a cat-friendly dog.
Humans and animals fascinate me, which is why I m forever following everyone around to find out what they’re up to. Of course, I’ll be providing running commentary the whole time. I m wonderful fun to be around, I hear though admittedly, I have no sense of boundaries.
When a cat loves you every day is a good day, I share my home with 15 of the most loving creatures on the planet, and truth be known they have changed my personality as well, they have helped me be a better person
lol. 15? Can you even remember all their names? I can’t imagine the time required to provide each its requisite attention. My one Toyger can often feel like a handful. It’s also awesome how you just openly admit it, and in such a nonchalant way.
Thanks for this post it’s really helpful. My Ragdoll Tunies would clock 13 in few months from now. I’m quite relieved to know she has more life to live. I was once told average life of most cats is 15 years.
My cat just died today. He was a Chantilly/Tiffany and died five weeks after his 7th birthday. I actually didn’t even know his breed until about a year ago, and only found out recently that their lifespan is 7 to 10 years, half that of most other breeds. But I didn’t expect him to die today so now I’m looking for cats with long lifespans so that I won’t have to go through this again for a long time. I’m considering a Ragdoll or Sphynx. My only concern with those two breeds however is that the Ragdoll sheds like crazy and the Sphynx requires weekly bathing. Personality is most important to me however, so whichever breed I decide upon will have to be a lap cat cuddle bug that loves to be held. I didn’t think I’d be so sad about this.
So sorry to hear about ure cat.I just seen it online.I love cats too.I have a 9year old male name snowball.He is my life.
My boy got a retinal separation but he is 18 and I Pray he will live longer. HE plays tug a war with my blankens nips my legs and is full of love!
I have had 2 cats prior, first lived 22 years, second lived 18 years. Absolutely love cats, all cats, total cat person for sure. I currently am on my 3rd cat, a sphynx, and let me tell you they are amazing. Truely amazing. Don?t let the bathing scare you off this breed. Sphynxs do clean themselves just like haired cats. My little sweety only needs a full bath monthly. Just a spot wipe under her chin/neck where she can?t reach with her tongue once a week does fine. Takes 1 minute a week to wipe with a facecloth and one 5 minute bath per month. Very minor when you consider the incredible personality these cats all seem to have. Super almost over the top affectionate. Tuck her inside your shirt and she will snuggle and purr all day long. She fetches like a dog, really gets psyched to fetch the toy and no treat for reward, just affection and she will fetch all day and night till I?m too tired. She growls when a stranger knocks but as soon as he enters the house practically smothers guests ?checking them out? and begging for play/fetch. Highly, highly intelligent, trainable cats they truely are. I know cats, lived my entire life with a cat and i still find she amazes me in new ways all the time. Claw trimming takes more time than bathing, trust me you will become a sphynx snob once you see the bonding, trainability, and incredible cat instinct these little sweeties have. Super soft to touch, kinda like petting a warm peach. I paid $2200 for mine and not one regret, I?m now actively saving to find her a mate. Worth every dollar and so much more. You really have to experience sphynxs, words cannot describe their awsomeness. We go to the pet store for her Royal Canin Sphynx breed specific food and she rides on my shoulder so happily and contently. No kidding 20 to 30 people stop and chat and want to touch/pet her, she?s the centre of attention and she just loves it. People love her so much after only 3 minutes of knowing her they actually buy toys and treats to donate to her, seriously, I come home with 5 or so toys and a half dozen treat bags from total strangers spending 3 to 5 minutes. If you do buy a sphynx just be prepared to surrender the ENTIRE house to him/her. It?s gonna fill up fast with cat trees, tube tunnels, and various toys because you will not be able to say ?no? to their giant wide eyes. They are higher effort only due to perpetual playfullnes, never ending curiosity/exploring, and desire for affection/attention, the bathing is really not that big a deal at all. I use the laundry sink and as long as the bath is already drawn and no ?running? water she loves it, so nice and warm. I wouldn?t trade my sphynx for anything, try one out, you will see/agree. Hope this helps.
Look at the ragamuffin!!!
You won’t be disappointed.
I used to be a dog and horse person but then I discovered cats – I love them BEST now.
love cats and you provided alot of information for my infomation report!!!!!
:3
In my professional opinion as a cat sitter I would say it’s the food you feed your cats that helps them to live longer.
A dry only diet and coloured dry food is said to be bad for cats for example.
ALSO – ONLY vaccinate if they HAVE to go out. Vaccines should be given in the shoulder low down as they DO Frequently cause VAS – vaccine asociated (caused) sarcoma (CANCER) Most vets try to say this is not true but it is. There is a website on it and many vets will tell you it still is. Lost my beloved Tabby girl to it! 🙁
My husband died I only lived because of jack my orange cat jack anyone who met him had a new friend he was just like that allways next to me the times we shared made a bond my best friend jack just died my hearts broken heaven won’t be heaven unless there’s cats ?
MY Baby is the same. I lost most of my babies as they were old and my NOW Tabby rescued me.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss for both your husband and Jack- your baby. I live alone and have 2 inside cats that just turned 16 in May. I love them so much. They provide unconditional love and have since I got them at 5 weeks. I believe God lets them know how I feel and I think that whichever of us gets to heaven first will save a nice place in a warm sunny area for our first heavenly nap. Your husband and Jack will watch after you and will both be there for you- there will be a day you are all together again. If you have a chance to give another cat or pet your love- they will return it 10 fold.
Cats are truly great. Companions.
I have raised two cats for 3 years: one Tabby cat and one Calico cat. After that, they went missing, and I was very distressed 🙁
I have a calico that is 19.5 years old. Indoor girl, dry food plus a little pate here and there. I’ve always had the best luck allowing my new kittens to choose me, and I’ve never been disappointed.
Every pet we’ve had has just wandered into our lives. Funny how that happens!
My Ragdoll just away so sad. He lived 20 years died 9/8/2018. I’m heart broken he died at home peacefully. In 2003 he had crystals in his unitary tract so males must not have seafood cat food but chicken or turkey based. His name was Meeshee. We loved him so much.
Our calico female kitty had urinary crystals when she was a feral living in our neighborhood. We adopted her, got her treatment, and she lived many more years. But I never heard about the diet. I’m sorry you lost him. We have other very old kitties too.
CATS. ARE. THE. BEST.
CATS. ARE . SOOOOOOO. CUTE!!
Hi, cats are cool.