The oldest cat in the world so far reached the impressive age of 38 years. This kitty, who truly had nine lives, was named Creme Puff and lived in Texas, USA. 38 years is almost twice as long as most cats live, but if you get a cat you can expect to have a loyal friend for a long time to come, since it is not entirely unusual for cats to reach an age as high as 15-20 years.
How long does a cat live?
The Swedish age record is currently a little unclear, but the cat Whiskas from Broby is definitely near the top: he recently turned 28!
How long cats live on average is however a little shorter, so senior cats like Whiskas and Creme Puff are something of an exception. Cats live on average for about 15 years, and start to be counted as seniors around 10-12 years of age. The older cat may need a little extra love and care, but even older cats can enjoy life and feel good at an advanced age.
Can I influence how old my cat gets?
To a large extent, genes and a dose of luck determine how old a cat gets. But healthy cats that feel good generally live longer, and so you can give your cat the right conditions for a long and healthy life with the right care. That is why we share three tips here for keeping your cat healthy and happy.
1: Keep your cat at an ideal body condition
Overweight cats run a greater risk of developing diseases, and on average do not live as long as normal-weight cats. That is why the most important thing you can do is keep your cat at a good body condition. In our article about Body Condition Score we give guidance on how you can easily assess your cat's body condition.
2: Give your cat nutritious food
Feed your cat a nutritious complete food so that you can be sure it gets all the nutrients it needs.
3: Visit your vet for regular health checks
One key to being able to prevent and treat certain age-related diseases is to detect them in good time. So visit your vet for regular health checks to make sure your cat is healthy. Many clinics offer special check-ups for senior cats, to detect common diseases that can arise as the cat gets older.