It is a known (and sad) fact that cats have a shorter life span than human beings. It is so hard to lose someone you love and you want to be with him/her as long as possible. So it is natural for us to look for the breed of cats that can live longer. Though most domestic cats don’t usually live long, some breeds tend to have longer life span compared to the others. Of course, there’s no guarantee that your cat will live into its 20s, as accident or unexpected illness can end the life of any animal. But picking a cat with a longer lifespan and taking great care of your cat improves your odds of having a loving feline for many years.
So which are the longest lived cat breeds? Here are the Top Ten breeds, and they can make really good companion …
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 quite that long. The average lifespan of Burmese cats is 18 to 25 years and that is certainly much longer than most of the cats. Burmese cats are energetic, playful and people-friendly. They adore children and ideal to own as family pet. So if you like this people-friendly, emotional breed, the one you get will probably be with you for a very long time.
Siamese
Siamese cats are often quoted as one of the longest living breeds, and they can live for 16 to 20 years or more. They are not for everyone, being extremely sociable and very vocal. Also, they hate being left alone, so are not suitable as an only cat unless you can spend a lot of time with them. But if they are a breed you can get along with, they are likely to be with you for a very long time
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.
Manx
The national symbol of the Isle of Man is also often quoted as being a long lived breed, and they frequently live well beyond 15 years. They are quiet and affectionate cats, suitable for most households; they are also happy if left alone. However, if you decide to get one , do make sure you go to a reputable and knowledgeable breeder, as Manx cats can suffer from skeletal problems caused by the same gene which causes their much-reduced tails. But if you start off with a healthy Manx, it should be with you for many 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.
Ragdoll
Despite looking a bit like a fluffy toy, the Ragdoll is a tough and healthy breed, and has been known to live for anything from 15 to 25 years. They are friendly, laidback, and unflappable, and also cope very well as indoor-only cats; indeed, many people recommend not letting them out at all. So if this is your type of cat, you may well have it with you for many years.
Bombay
The Bombay often lives for between 15 and 20 years. They can even live longer than this; a friend of mine had one which recently died at the grand old age of 21. These jet black cats are very like the Burmese in personality, so are friendly, sociable, and have bags of personality. But they are quite unusual and it could be difficult to find one.
Sphynx
Despite its lack of hair and to some people rather odd looks, the Sphynx can live for a long time, often 15 to 20 years. However, they can suffer from cold in the winter and sun damaged skin in the summer due to the lack of fur, so are best kept as indoor cats. But with the right care, this could be a friend you have for a long time. Indeed, one famous Sphynx lived to be 34 years old!
Russian Blue
The Russian blue is a quiet and rather reserved cat that tends to be affectionate with its family but not clingy. You’ll often find this cat resting in a sunny spot or surveying its territory from the highest point it can find. The breed is prone to bladder stones, as well as eye problems, but its average lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
Nebelung
This beautiful silver-grey cat is quite a new breed, and again, you may have difficulty finding one. But if you do, it should live a long time, for they are said to have a lifespan of anything from 15 to 18 years. The Nebelung is said to be rather introverted, and is inclined to attach itself to one or two people rather than being a cat which loves everyone. So if you want a one-person, beautiful cat for a long time, this could be the breed for you.
You can also calculate how old your cat is in human years, this article tells how!
