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.

[sloane]

i don't know what's 'normal' but my cat lived till she was 18.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Yeah it all depends on their health. If they are always relatively healthy they will live to be quite old. My mums cat is 13 this year and hes started to slow down, hes going a bit senile gets lost in the house and hes very cuddly too. Hes siamese so while they are already very affecionate hes even more so.

[~me~]

I would tend to agree with you Tinks. Had a cat as a littl girl and she died at around 20yrs old.
I have a rag doll cat and she is an indoor cat only and has been from a kitten and is showing no signs of age. She is 14yrs old.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

My cousin's cat was a farm cat and he lived until he was 22

[AnyDream]

Our little puss is 15 years old and going strong. Well, she's a bit more bossy & demanding and a little less active but still enjoying life.

[Kamarine]

Our Kitty will be 18 in Dec. No grey hairs even. She sleeps a lot and eats a lot, but she still likes to do the mad dash from the litter tray to the other end of the house after going. Still enjoying the pleasures of life!

My stepmums mothers cat is about 20. But he's a bit ricketty when he walks, but still plenty happy!

[Dansta]

DH's first cat lived until just before their 20th birthday. MIL's current cat is almost 18 and a dottery old biatch of a cat who i think is fairly def and semi blind (but can still swipe a chunk out of your foot )

[Kazbah]

Mum's cat died at 17 (euthanised due to kidney problems). One of my ex's cats lived till 19 - was run over cause she was sleeping under the car behind the wheel.

[Tinks]

I'm so happy to hear about all these cats long lives! Our puss will be with us a while yet.

[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