Our pets are like family, and we want them to be around as long as possible. If you are looking for a feline companion who will live a long time, our San Jose vets are here to tell you what cat breeds live the longest.
Choosing The Right Breed for You
When deciding on the best breed of house cat for you, there are a number of factors that you should consider, including:
- How much time will your cat spend alone?
- How much grooming are you willing to commit to?
- What kind of personality are you looking for in a cat?
Once you know the answer to those simple questions you can begin to narrow down your breed options, and begin to single in on the perfect breeds to suit your lifestyle and personality.
Cat Breeds That Live The Longest
Cats tend to live a long time, the average indoor cat can live anywhere from 12-18 years while outdoor cats have a far shorter life span of approximately 2-5 years.
Every cat is different, their lifespan depends on a number of factors such as their lifestyle, and lifelong health but if you are looking to add a new cat to your home and want to find a breed that tends to live the longest, our San Jose vets have the answers.
Manx
The Manx cat is usually tailless and this becomes its most distinctive characteristic among the other cats. People believed that the absence of a tail is a naturally occurring mutation of the breeds spine. However, not all Manx cats are born without a tail.
Manx cats are intelligent and can get along with other animals. They are often said to behave like a dog for their sense of loyalty to their owners and their love for interactive play. More importantly, they can live well beyond 15 years.
Siamese
As its name suggests, the Siamese cat originated from Thailand (formerly called Siam). Siamese cats live up to 15 years on average, some can reach 20 years old. People love Siamese cats because they are sociable, playful, and entertaining. It is possible to train Siamese cats due to their intelligent nature. They can be trained to walk on a harness and do lots of tricks.
Oriental Shorthair
Oriental shorthair is a cross breed using Siamese as the base. Oriental shorthair cats’ appearances are unique and their coats come in 300 colors and patterns. Since they are a cross breed from Siamese cats, they share the same wonderful personalities as the Siamese: smart, curious, and loving. These cats has a long life expectancy of over 15 years.
Russian Blue
Russian blue cats have elegant features, long limbs, and slender bodies. Perhaps this explained why this breed appears a lot in TV adverts. Russian blue cats are a gentle cat breed that is easy to train. They are a bit shy around strangers but affectionate with their owners. They enjoy typical indoor life and can live long up to 10-20 years on average.
Bombay
Bombay cats have a very beautiful jet-black coat giving them a mysterious look. Although the black coat gene is dominant, sometimes you may find a sable-colored kitten among the newborns. Bombay cats love to interact with people, be it, children or strangers. Overall, Bombay cats are intelligent, playful, and attention-seeking. Bombay cats can live up to 20 years at best. Bombay cats can become a good family companion without a doubt, but unfortunately, Bombay's are quite rare and could be difficult to find one to adopt.
Sphynx
Despite having a slight alien appearance and lack of hair, Sphynx cats are quite popular and have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Because they are hairless, they are popular among cat lovers with allergies. The Sphynx cats crave attention and are highly sociable. They will greet you when you get home and follow you wherever you go. Since the Sphynx cats are hairless, they must be protected against cold in winter and intense heat during summer.
Persian
This fluffy and adorable Persian cat has an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Though they look calm and quiet, they are actually friendly and love to cuddle up to their favorite people. Like other cat breeds, Persian cats are prone to illnesses like corneal ulcers, tummy problems, diarrhea and more, so if you own a Persian cat, make sure you bring it to your vet for regular checkups. Another issue with the Persian cat is their grooming. You have to brush and comb their fur daily to prevent matting. Though their long fur looks lovely, it can make your house become messy if the Persian cat tends to shed excessively.
Balinese
The Balinese is similar to a Siamese cat, but different in terms of coat length. Balinese cats have a longer coat length compared with Siamese cats. Lots of adjectives can be used to describe Balinese cats: outgoing, affectionate, active, intelligent, agile, chatty, and so on. A healthy Balinese cat can reach the age of 18 to 22 years old.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll is a relatively new cat breed that can only be dated back to the early 1960s. Ragdoll cats have long silky fur similar to Persian cats. Just as its name suggests, Ragdoll cat is easy-going and can become limp when you pick it up, just like a ragdoll. Ragdoll is friendly, even with strangers. Also, he is laidback, gentle, and loves to lounge. It prefers indoor life and is not fond of climbing. Despite its soft looking, it is actually a tough and healthy breed that can live up to 15-25 years.
Burmese
The official record of the oldest living cat holder is a 35-year-old Burmese cat. Of course, most Burmese cats don’t live that long. The average lifespan of Burmese cats is 18 to 25 years and that is certainly much longer than most cats. Burmese cats are often confused with Birman cats. Burmese cats are medium-sized cats, while Birman cats are a large breed with a stocky look. Another obvious distinction is that Burmese cats have short coats whereas Birman cats have silky medium-long fur. Burmese cats are energetic, playful and people-friendly. They adore children and are ideal to own as a family pet.
Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat—part African serval and part domestic cat—is recommended only for experienced owners. Despite not being fully domesticated, Savannah cats can be friendly with people. But they tend to have unpredictable, active, and bold temperaments. The hybrid breed is generally healthy and has an estimated average lifespan of 12 to 20 years.
Egyptian Mau
Named for its presence in ancient Egyptian art, the Egyptian Mau is a beautiful cat with a characteristically spotted coat. These cats are generally comfortable with people, making themselves an integral part of the family and expecting to be treated as such. While some are prone to heart disease, the breed's average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.
American Shorthair
The American shorthair—the pedigreed version of the domestic shorthair—is popular for families with children because of its playful and easygoing temperament. These cats are usually good at entertaining themselves, and they don't demand attention. But they also appreciate interactive play and socialization. Most are generally healthy but can be prone to heart disease. The breed has an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.