How Old Can Cats Live?

Cats have reputations for always landing on their feet and for having nine lives. Although the first sentiment might have some truth to it, cats unfortunately only get one life to live — but there is something to be said about the longevity of a cat. 

If you’re wondering how old your cat may live, because you’re worried about their longevity, then rest assured that cats routinely live into their teens. Sometimes, if they’re indoor-only cats, they may even live into their 20s. Cats who are born with congenital abnormalities may have shorter lifespans than those who get a healthier start to life. But with proper veterinary care, a safe environment, appropriate nutrition, and other factors that a good cat parent can provide, most feline friends will live into the double digits.

TLDR: On average, domestic cats live between 13 and 17 years. Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor cats, often by two to five years. Factors affecting longevity include genetics, diet, healthcare, environment, and breed. 

What is the average cat life expectancy? 

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest cat who ever lived was named Creme Puff and died at the old age of 38. That is, of course, much older than normal: The average life expectancy of a cat is around 15 years, but it’s not uncommon to have a cat live into their twenties, especially if they are an indoor-only cat. Indoor-only cats are protected from various hazards and usually lead very easy lives. But several factors can either increase or decrease a cat’s life span, even if yours stays indoors. Thankfully, as a pet parent, you can control some of these factors.

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What impacts a cat’s life span? 

A variety of factors can impact your cat’s life span, so it’s helpful for pet parents to know what they can do to help their cats live long lives. Some factors, like a cat’s breed, sex, and genetics, are out of a pet parent’s control. But other factors, such as lifestyle and body weight, are easily controllable.

Lifestyle and environment

Your cat’s lifestyle and environment can dramatically affect their life span. Indoor-only cats — who are protected from indoor toxins (such as plants and medications), household hazards, and other animals who might harm them or transmit diseases — are more likely to live a longer life than an outdoor cat.

Health

Your cat’s overall health plays a major role in their lifespan. Cats who are malnourished, obese, or have chronic health conditions are more likely to have a shortened life span. Pet parents can help their cats stay healthy by feeding them a complete and balanced diet, maintaining an ideal body weight, and seeking regular veterinary care. 

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), kidney disease, and cancer are leading causes of death in cats. Taking steps to keep your cat healthy may reduce the likelihood of your cat developing these conditions. Thankfully, treatments for a variety of diseases can also help extend your cat’s life span.

Carolyn Lagattuta / Stocksy/

Breed and genetics 

Lifespan factors that pet parents have no control over include a cat’s breed and genetics. For instance, purebred cats (such as the Sphynx or Maine Coon) statistically live shorter lives than mixed-breed cats. And cat breeds who are born with genetic issues, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), are likely to have decreased life spans, too. PKD-impacted breeds are those developed with Persian ancestry (such as Himalayan, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Charteux, and Exotic Shorthairs).

Preventive care

A big part of keeping your cat healthy and helping them live a long life is preventative care. Regular check-ups with your cat’s veterinarian, parasite preventatives, and vaccinations may help your cat avoid developing serious illnesses. Core cat vaccines are especially important parts of preventative care that can eliminate concerns for major diseases such as rabies and feline distemper. Meanwhile, annual pet check-ups can help identify potential causes of concern in your cat before they become full-blown problems.

Spaying and neutering

Statistics show that cats who are not spayed or neutered live shorter lives. Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to get into fights, where they will become seriously injured, run away, and expose themselves to various hazards in an attempt to breed with other cats. Cats who have been sterilized are also at lower risk of developing various types of cancers, which are major causes of death in cats.

Most animal shelters and rescue groups spay and neuter all cats before adopting them out. But if your cat isn’t already spayed or neutered, this should be on your pet adoption checklist. Ask your veterinarian when they recommend the procedure be performed, as this can help extend your cat’s lifespan.

Sex

Another lifespan factor that pet parents have no control over is the sex of their cat. Female cats statistically live longer than male cats, even when they are fixed. The reasoning for this is not completely understood, but a contributing factor may be the fact that male cats are more likely to develop urinary blockages than female cats. This is due to the anatomical differences between the sexes.

Laura Stolfi / Stocksy/

Life expectancy of outdoor cats vs. indoor cats

Indoor or house-cat life expectancy is typically longer than for those who live outside, often due to potential outdoor dangers. Wild animals, dogs, other cats, vehicles, parasites, diseases, toxins, and other hazards can negatively impact your cat’s lifespan. This is why outdoor-only cats tend to live shorter lives than indoor cats. One study from UC Davis researchers found that outdoor-only cats had a median age at death of just over seven years. A separate UC Davis-attributed fact sheet puts their average lifespan even lower, between two and five years.

In contrast, indoor-only cats are far less likely to be exposed to as many hazards. These kitties don’t have to hunt for their food, sleep most of the day, don’t have to shelter from the elements, and aren’t subjected to threats such as wild animals or vehicles. Indoor-only cats are also easier to monitor for behavioral changes that indicate a health concern, which allows pet parents to seek veterinary care as needed. Despite the lifespan difference between indoor-only and outdoor-only cats, felines who are a combination of the two (ie, indoor-outdoor cats) typically live just as long as a cat who is indoors-only.

Cat life stages

There are several different cat life stages, and different sources may refer to them with slightly different names. Kittens are cats who are less than one year of age. Adult cats are typically referred to as seniors once they are more than 10 years of age. And older cats may be referred to as geriatric once they reach the average lifespan of 15 years. 

Because their lifespans are so much shorter than a human’s, cats also age much more quickly. Knowing how old your cat is — both in cat years and human years — can help you understand your cat’s behaviors, needs, and health concerns more easily. This cat lifespan chart can offer some clarity.

Commonly asked questions

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What is the life expectancy for cats with diabetes? 

Diabetes is a chronic condition, and if left untreated, is fatal to cats. Thankfully, treatment is available for cats with diabetes, and the disease can be managed throughout your cat’s life despite there being no cure for it. Depending on the severity of the diabetes, when your cat was diagnosed, and how healthy their kidneys are, one study showed that the median survival time of a cat with diabetes is less than two years after diagnosis. Despite this short time frame, 46 percent of cats in the study lived more than two years after diagnosis, and some cats lived more than nine years after diagnosis.

Can a cat live 20 years? 

Yes, cats can live 20 years and sometimes even longer. The oldest known cat on record lived to be 38 years old and resided in Austin, Texas. While the life expectancy of cats isn’t typically in the late thirties, well-cared-for cats routinely live into their twenties. A female, mixed-breed, spayed, indoor cat who has an ideal body weight, is fed a complete and balanced diet, and receives regular preventative care has the best chances of living a long life. 

References 

AVMA. “Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) | American Veterinary Medical Association.” www.avma.org, www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease. 

Callegari, Carolina, et al. “Survival Time and Prognostic Factors in Cats with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus: 114 Cases (2000–2009).” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 243, no. 1, July 2013, pp. 91–95, doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.1.91.

“Cat Years Calculator & Chart: Your Cat’s Age in Human Years.” Purina.com, 2024, www.purina.com/articles/cat/behavior/understanding-cats/cat-years-to-human-years. 

“CBS News: Factors That Contribute to a Cat’s Shorter Lifespan.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 5 June 2025, www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20240806/cbs-news-factors-contribute-cats-shorter-lifespan.

O’Neill, Dan G, et al. “Longevity and Mortality of Cats Attending Primary Care Veterinary Practices in England.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, vol. 17, no. 2, 12 June 2014, pp. 125–133, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X14536176, https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x14536176.

Malik, R. “Genetic Diseases of Cats.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, vol. 3, no. 2, June 2001, pp. 109–113, doi.org/10.1053/jfms.2001.0121. 

Montoya, Mathieu, et al. “Life Expectancy Tables for Dogs and Cats Derived from Clinical Data.” Frontiers in Veterinary Science, vol. 10, 21 Feb. 2023, doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1082102. 

“Oldest Cat Ever.” Guinness World Records, www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-cat-ever. 

Wood, Trina J. “Uncovering Secrets to Feline Longevity | School of Veterinary Medicine.” Www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu, 1 May 2023, www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uncovering-secrets-feline-longevity.

Yirka, Bob. “Life Expectancy Study Reveals Longest and Shortest-Lived Cats.” Phys.org, 10 May 2024, phys.org/news/2024-05-life-reveals-longest-shortest-cats.html.