How long do cats live?

[Tinks]

I was having a discussion with a friends mum the other day about how long cats live. I always thought they lived for about 20-21 years but she said they only lived about 12.

My cat is 10 and isn't showing any signs of age, I'm sure she's got more than 2 years life left in her.

Does anyone know?

[STARRYSKY]

yeah, im pretty sure you are right Tinks, 20 odd years is a long life for a cat, most well treated indoor cats will live this long, excluding ilness and the like.
My silvey is 13 this year, she still acts like a kitten!

[{sarah}]

The average is about 9-15 years but the oldest I found on record was 36 years.

We did a bit of research about it because our girl was 16 in November

[alioops]

Mum's cat died at 19 a month ago. He hung on for 2 years after going senile though.

[jackrose]

My cat lived until 19 years old, very slow and doddery by then, so I support the 20 year theory.

[Rouge]

My Chloe is 13 this year and is still very Kitten like

[christy]

I've found probably around 15 years is a ripe old age for cats. Some cats, depending on their genetic health, live longer, and some less.

[aussienic]

My 2 cats are 15 and 14 They are looking a little old around the eyes esp my 15yr old but other then that they still run around and act like kittens from time to time