How long do cats live: average life expectancy of spayed, neutered and domestic cats

Features of life of sterilized cats

The lifespan of any cat depends on lifestyle and nutrition.

Every loving owner wants his pet to live as long as possible. This factor usually depends on:

Animal health indicators.
His way of life.
Food.
Features of the breed.

When to spay a kitten

When a kitten grows up, many owners think about sterilization. Of course, if you feel sorry for the cat and are afraid of the consequences of the procedure, then it is better not to do it. But in this case, you must take care of your cat’s full sex life, so that in the future she does not have hormonal imbalances, bad and aggressive mood due to the absence of a cat . As a rule, a cat can kitten up to 4 times a year , which the owner must take into account.

Still, due to the lack of sufficient square meters, many owners will not be able to shelter an unknown number of offspring, so the only option is sterilization.

Due to circumstances, street cats live less.

How long will a neutered cat live?

How long castrated cats live intrigues all owners who are thinking about castrating their beloved four-legged friend. Why is everything happening? Because an unneutered pet brings a lot of problems.

When a male starts walking, he always screams, trying to find a partner. But the worst thing is the territory mark. Everything in the house is scratched and does not smell fresh.

Naturally, neutered cats live longer than ladies' men. After all, they are much calmer and more balanced. A castrated cat will not get into a fight and will not leave the house for a long time. Plus, there is no possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

There are, of course, disadvantages. The life of castrated people is threatened by hormonal imbalance, which can lead to obesity. To avoid these problems, you should feed your pet a balanced diet and monitor the amount of food consumed.

On average, the life expectancy of cats is 7-15 years. But it all depends on the conditions of detention. The owners are faced with the task of doing everything to make the animal comfortable.

Veterinarians recommend castration while the cat has not yet learned what intimate life is. Because this can result in unpredictable consequences. It is better to carry out the procedure at an early age, because this is how you prolong the life of the kitten.

How long do cats live at home after sterilization?

Many owners worry that the operation will shorten the years of their cat's life. In fact, the opposite is true - this procedure has a positive effect on the animal . Statistics show that on average, cats that are not sterilized rarely live past 5 years . This is due to various diseases, cold, city, postpartum diseases of the genital organs.

It is rare to find an unsterilized cat that is 10 years old . It’s the same for street cats – on average up to 5 years due to the same diseases and, naturally, fights for the female’s affections.

Neutered cats, due to their psycho-emotional state, which changes due to the operation, become calmer and smarter. They are not affected by hormones. In this case, life expectancy increases to 15–20 years .
In modern practice, there are individuals among cats who are already over 30. The owners have something to think about.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's note the advantages of a neutered cat:

Reducing the number of stray animals - the owner will not suffer from remorse for dooming young animals to a hungry and cold existence on the street.
The risk of diseases of the mammary glands and genital organs is reduced - even with targeted mating, the risk remains, let alone casual “street” sexual contacts.
Changing the hormonal levels improves the pet’s mood - the amount of nighttime entertainment and loud yelling is reduced.
The cat stops marking its territory - after surgery, the reproductive instinct disappears.

Let's move on to the disadvantages after sterilization surgery:

Surgical intervention in a living organism itself can result in tragedy. You should take your choice of clinic seriously and talk to your doctor before surgery.
There are frequent cases of bleeding or suppuration of the wound after surgery, but modern drugs can easily solve this problem.

A sterilized cat is 90% less susceptible to genital cancer than its unvaccinated counterpart.

What is the difference between a sterilized cat and a regular cat?

Neutered cats have a calm and affectionate disposition.

Sterilized cats , compared to ordinary cats that walk and kitten, have a more flexible character . They get along well in families, get along and take care of children, and are affectionate with their owners.

Of course, an ordinary cat can also be obedient, but not always. When it's time to heat, they behave aggressively, which causes discomfort for both them and their owners.

The offspring of a cat are yet another hassle for a city family. Another thing is your own home, where the animal can live fully and take care of its kittens. But here too there is a controversial issue. A cat left unattended on the street faces a lot of dangers in the form of ticks, cars and, of course, various diseases. It has been proven that sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted even among cats. Ideally, you should immediately buy a cat for your pet , but, unfortunately, not all owners can withstand such a load, both morally and financially.

Neutered cats live longer than normal cats

If you don't want to spay your cat, find her a cat!

As mentioned above, sterilized cats, including neutered cats, live longer than normal cats . For an animal that often walks outside to live to be 10 years or more is very rare.

The lifespan of operated pets is noticeably longer, but only if the owners take care of it, feed it properly and variedly, and do not ignore any diseases and contact a veterinarian on time.

Maximum age of a cat recorded in history

Various pets are called the oldest cats in the world.

The official record holder for longevity, the Guinness Book of Records names the cat Cream Puff, whose life expectancy was 38 years and 3 days.

Previously, the record belonged to a Frenchman named Granpa, who lived for 34 years, but it is difficult to say how honest this record was: the owners found the animal as an adult, and supposedly the veterinarian said that he was about 5 years old.

If the veterinarian really said this, determining the age of cats by their teeth is not very reliable: grinding down the incisors depends on the bite, the animal’s nutrition, its state of health and a host of other factors.

Nature is rich in miracles, but veterinarians are skeptical about reports of 30-year-old cats: not all experienced doctors have encountered animals that live even 23 years.

What is sterilization?

In order to choose the type of sterilization, you must consult your veterinarian.

Sterilization is one of the types of abdominal operations in which the genitals of an animal are removed . It can be complete or partial. A cat's uterus and ovaries may be removed, or only the uterus or only the ovaries may be removed. There is an operation to tie the fallopian tubes. Each type of procedure has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which it is better to familiarize yourself with before the procedure and consult with a specialist.

What should owners know about sterilization?

Owners who decide to sterilize their pet should know about the optimal age for the operation and postoperative care. As for age, it is better to sterilize your cat before her first heat . The optimal age is considered to be from 8 months to one and a half years . The older the animal, the greater the risk of complications after surgery.

During the postoperative period, you need to give your pet maximum attention and care!

You must also understand that the procedure is very serious and is carried out in the animal's abdomen. The rehabilitation period for cats is on average 10 days . During these times, it is better not to disturb the cat, but to feed it fully (choose special dry food, canned food, boil chicken). During the healing period of the suture, the cat should not lick it so that it does not come apart, so it is better to put a blanket and collar on it.

The following days after the operation, the seam must be wiped with a special solution, so the collar will prevent the cat from licking the wound.

What to do to make your cat live longer

How many years cats live is influenced by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, habitat, etc. Such an aspect as the duration of the life cycle is individual for each individual. But owners can still extend the life of their pet.

To do this, you need to carefully monitor the cat’s health, pay attention to all changes in its behavior and appearance. The appearance of any signs of illness, such as peeling skin, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes, lack of activity, is a signal for an urgent visit to a veterinarian, who will prescribe the necessary treatment and help you choose the most optimal diet for the animal, taking into account its breed and physiological characteristics. features.

The cat should have plenty of space to play and be active. Physical activity significantly prolongs the life of pets. There are various toys that allow the cat to maintain the necessary shape. It is necessary to play with the animal as often as possible and take walks with it in the fresh air.

But it is not recommended to leave a cat unattended for a long time: on the street, it can suffer from an attack by its fellow cats or dogs, become infected with various infections, or get run over by a car. For some individuals, familiarity with their natural habitat can result in severe stress, which will negatively affect their health.

Veterinarians advise spaying or sterilizing domestic cats, since childbirth and various sexually transmitted diseases can adversely affect the health of the pet, which will significantly shorten its life.

An animal's diet plays a primary role and has a great impact on its quality of life. Cats' nutrition should be balanced, which will help relieve them from colitis, kidney failure, allergies, excess weight and other diseases. The cat should eat 3 times a day, and the portions should not be large.

It is not recommended to combine homemade food and artificial feed. High-quality dry food contains all the vitamins and microelements necessary for health.

You should not forget to give your pet the warmth and love that he so needs for a long and healthy life.

conclusions

Sterilization of a cat is a solution for owners and their charges if they expect a long and happy life with their pet. This operation is one of the most common, so owners should not worry. The main thing is to provide the pet with peace and rest for several days after the procedure, treat the suture, and provide high-quality and nutritious food . Of course, owners should remember to choose a highly qualified veterinarian.

Sterilization has more pros than cons. The main advantage is that your animal will live much longer than ordinary cats .

Life expectancy of different cat breeds

Cats live on average 10-15 years

Life expectancy, and therefore the moment of old age, is determined by the following criteria:

heredity;
individual characteristics;
general health and predisposition to certain diseases;
conditions of detention;
sterilization.

In general, a domestic cat that has inherited good genes and health from its parents, receives quality care throughout its life, proper nutrition, and is promptly vaccinated can live at least 20 years. How many years a cat of a given breed lives on average depends on genetics. In order to compare how long Persian cats live in equal conditions of keeping and, for example, Munchkin cats, you need to know whether this animal is the result of selection work, what are the features of breeding the breed, whether mutation genes will be present in the animal; in a word, have professional training. Cat lovers may find this general information useful.

Long-haired cats live on average:

Persian - from 15 to 20 years;
Maine Coon 13 - 16 years old;
Burmese - 15 years;
Neva Masquerade 13 - 15 years old;
Siberian - up to 20 years;
Snow Shoe - 9 - 11 years old.

Cats - representatives of short-haired breeds live on average:

Abyssinian - 15 years;
British shorthair - 10 - 15 years;
Siamese and Thai - up to 20 years;
Bombay - up to 12 years;
Russian Blue - 12 years;
Scottish Straight - 15 years;
exotic shorthair - 9 - 13 years;
Manx - about 20 years;
hairless sphinxes - up to 15 years.

How many years, 10 or 15, British cats, for example, live, largely depends on their owners.

How to extend the life of a cat by providing proper care

To prolong the life of a cat, it is necessary to give it a healthy and balanced diet.

The rules that must be followed in order for a cat to please its owners with excellent health, grooming, beauty, and playfulness for as long as possible are not so numerous and absolutely feasible.

To ensure a healthy diet, you need to evaluate the age, activity, weight and breed of the cat, keeping in mind its personal taste preferences. The cat is a carnivore, so it needs animal protein, and vegetarian food causes vitamin deficiency. You should feed only fresh food at room temperature, and the dishes should be washed with hot water. The presence of dry food in the diet also presupposes the availability of drinking water for the cat in sufficient quantity and free access.
Annual cat vaccination is required , even if it does not go outside: pathogens of dangerous diseases with fatal consequences can be brought into the house by a person on clothes and shoes.
regularly examine your animal for tumors, minor wounds, abscesses, and external parasites yourself.
Antihelminthic measures are carried out at least once every six months, regardless of the detection of external signs of the presence of parasites. (Read more here.)
You should not allow your cat to stay outside unsupervised. For accidents that occur with an animal, the owner is primarily responsible.
A cat in the house is a child who will never become an adult: its proverbial curiosity can cause irreparable harm to it. It is important to minimize all circumstances that can lead to damage to the health and even injury of the animal: for example, you should remove indoor plants out of reach, secure heavy or breakable objects, remove loose wires or ropes.
Sterilization of cats as such does not affect their life expectancy, but it reduces the risk of getting infectious diseases from contact with sick animals.
Proper care of eyes, ears, fur, teeth, and claws is also important for maintaining good physical shape, and therefore for increasing the life expectancy of cats.

In fact, all this is not so difficult, and by developing a familiar system for keeping a cat, its owner will ensure the sincere affection of his pet for many years.

Postoperative care for animals

Caring for an operated cat includes the following:

keeping in a warm, clean and dry room without going outside;
the location of the cat's bed or house on the floor (during the process of recovery from anesthesia and the first time after it, unsteadiness of gait and weakness of the pelvic limbs are observed);
put the cat on a diaper (temporary urinary incontinence may occur);
place a bowl of warm water next to it (after anesthesia there is always a dry mouth);
feed the cat only soft, complete food (special dietary food such as pates is a good choice);
treating the wound with antiseptics (Terramycin spray, hydrogen peroxide);
help the cat perform the first toilet after anesthesia (take it to the tray and hold it when weak).

As a rule, there are no negative consequences after castration of a cat if the owners take care and follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian.

Preparing an animal for castration

Castration of a cat, like any operation, carries certain risks to life, so careful preparation and examination of the animal is necessary.

What you need to do to keep your cat healthy:

Vaccinate the kitten at 8-12 weeks of age, repeat immunization a month later (use complex vaccines).
It is advisable to wait until the teeth change (about 8-9 months) and carry out preventive treatment against worms.
After deworming, vaccinate the cat again and wait 2-3 weeks.
Operate on a clinically healthy cat.

Pedigree cats (with a predisposition to various diseases) must be examined. The presence of problems with the cardiovascular, respiratory or urinary systems may be a contraindication to castration. If this is neglected, then during anesthesia the load on organs with pathologies will increase and the animal may die.

Tips for preparing your cat immediately before surgery:

A 12-hour fast before arriving at the clinic (this is recommended due to the appearance of nausea after premedication, so that the animal does not choke on vomit);
do not give the cat water 1-2 hours before surgery;
put the cat’s favorite blanket or the owner’s clothes in the carrier so that familiar smells calm him down when he’s stressed;
you can spray the carrier with a spray with cat pheromones or sprinkle a little Matatabi (Japanese wild plum powder) - these products will also calm the cat;
arrive at the clinic at the appointed time so as not to wait long in line and not increase the stress factor for the cat.

Record holders among cats

Since the British have an average lifespan, representatives of this breed were not included in the list of record holders. Ordinary cats from England, which is their homeland, often live up to 20-30 years. Perhaps the good performance of the British is associated with this factor.

We recommend reading: Why the British Cat Stomps on the Bed and Licks It

A cat named Spike from a simple English village lived for about 30 years. At the age of 19, he was seriously injured in a fight with local guard dogs and was close to death. He managed to get back on his feet and continue his adventures around the area.

Another centenarian from England with the laconic nickname Ma has surpassed the age of 34. Her breed is unknown, but she was tabby and until the end of her days she performed the duties of catching mice and other pests.

To support your pet you need:

Neutered pet and ensuring a long life

Some rules that will help make your pet’s life not only happy, but also long:

To prolong the existence of your four-legged friend, you should love him, but not overdo it;
See a veterinarian regularly;
Feed appropriate food;
Add vitamins and herbs to your diet;
Provide active development;
And, of course, fresh air.

It is very important for all neutered and regular cats to feel attention and care. Play ball, run around the apartment, communicate with him. In return, he will sleep next to you, curled up in a ball, accompany you to work and joyfully greet your beloved owner or hostess.

And don’t forget that castration protects the cat from all sorts of accidents.

How to extend a cat's life

Every family sooner or later thinks that their beloved cat will not be with them forever. It’s better if the question “how to prolong a cat’s life” arises before the owner when their pet is still an immature kitten. So, cats live for many years if:

the owner selects a balanced diet, including vitamin and mineral supplements, and does not overfeed the animal;
the owner understands the importance of preventive examinations by a veterinarian and the need for vaccinations;
at the first signs of illness, the cat is taken to the veterinarian for an appointment;
the animal is encouraged to engage in regular physical activity at any age;
maintain hygiene and follow the rules of care;
take preventive measures against fleas, ticks and parasites;
It is better to castrate the male and sterilize the female if the owner does not plan to engage in breeding work.

There is also a basic rule for many years: you need to love your cat and always find time for her.

Indoor cats compared to street cats

Domestic cats live longer than street cats because... There are fewer dangers in store for them in an apartment than in the open air.

When a pet is constantly at home and goes out for walks only with its owner, it is possible to control its nutrition. On the street, an animal may eat spoiled food and not control the amount of food. As a result, poisoning or obesity may occur, which will significantly reduce life expectancy.

To summarize, we can conclude that the lifespan of castrated or uncastrated cats largely depends on their owners. Of course, hereditary predisposition and breed also influence how many years an animal will live. However, these factors are not as important as proper care and living conditions.

When to castrate a cat

Experts recommend neutering your pet at the age of 6-8 months. This is considered the optimal time for the procedure, since the cat’s genitals are already developed. However, he was not yet interested in representatives of the opposite sex.

If castration is performed on a cat who has previously participated in breeding, this does not save him from searching for a mate. The male will continue to try to continue the race, but the female will no longer bear offspring from him. Some breeders deliberately leave castrated males who mate with cats during the “hunting” period. For the female, this is a kind of “sedative”.

If there is a need to castrate an adult or mature male, he is first subjected to a series of tests. This eliminates the occurrence of emergencies on the operating table.

The age limit for the procedure is 7 years. However, it is quite difficult to say how long domestic cats that are neutered in old age live. Not all veterinarians recommend neutering an old pet.

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