Average Age of CATS
Janet Kegg
Rabbi K (Kou...@strikeout.com) writes:
> What is the average life expectancy of a cat? My cat is 13 years
> old and very healthy, however I am very worried that she only has a
> couple of more years. She is an american shorthair, normal weight,
> never been fixed, and lives indoors.
Many people on rec.pets.cats report their cats living to 17, even
20 years. But you mention that your cat has not been spayed and that
can lead to health problems such as inflammation of the uterus (pyometritus)
and a greater risk of mammary cancer. You might want to talk to your
cat's vet about this. Many years ago I had an unspayed (and never bred)
female who developed breast cancer at age 13. I know better now but since
Chanita had rather subdued heats and was an inside cat I never bothered to
spay her. The risk may not be that great but it's something to keep in
mind along with the other problems faced by geriatric cats.
Janet
--
Washington DC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rabbi K
Connie Terwilliger
Kou...@strikeout.com (Rabbi K) wrote:
With those circumstances, she could live forever! I'd say you have
several more years at least, barring any unusual illnesses. I'm sure
someone will post some acutal figures, but in the meantime, I think
you can plan on her being around for a while.
Regards,
Connie Terwilliger (Alexia, Von VII, Peaches, Mr. Tibbs and a dogger named Bailey)
*******************************************
Kitty Klips - The Cat Containment System
http://members.aol.com/kittyklips/klips.htm
John & Melinda Sheridan
Rabbi K wrote:
>
> What is the average life expectancy of a cat? My cat is 13 years
> old and very healthy, however I am very worried that she only has a
> couple of more years. She is an american shorthair, normal weight,
> never been fixed, and lives indoors.
I would suggest that on her next vet visit you ask him to do a
geriactric feline blood test on her. With that one drawing of blood
they can detect early signs of the most common problems that elderly
cats are prone too. With early detection comes treatments that can
prolong the cat's life. Thanks to such a test, my cat was diagnosed
with Chronic Renal Failure at 14 and he lived till 19. -Melinda
Karen Hiebert
I'm just wondering why you haven't ever had your cat neutered? I realize
she's an indoor cat, but heats are notoriously uncomfortable for a female
cat to go through with no hope of a "result" if you get my drift! Besides,
there are several health benefits that accompany hysterectomy for cats,
including decreased risk of uterine cancers and related diseases. If you're
worried about her life-span and health, keeping her indoors is the best way
to ensure a long and happy life, but you might want to consider having her
spayed to improve her health and overall well-being.
Rhonda Pennington
It depends on the source. Once I read the average age was 12. Another book
said 14 yrs. I would guess the age is getting higher because we are taking
better care of our cats than our ancestors did. The things I do for my
cat!! She is 16, and there are lots more on this group that are older than
that! Rhonda
In article <3274e3a6...@news.electriciti.com>, kitty...@aol.com wrote:
*^*Kou...@strikeout.com (Rabbi K) wrote:
*^*
*^*> What is the average life expectancy of a cat? My cat is 13 years
*^*>old and very healthy, however I am very worried that she only has a
*^*>couple of more years. She is an american shorthair, normal weight,
*^*>never been fixed, and lives indoors.
*^*
*^*With those circumstances, she could live forever! I'd say you have
*^*several more years at least, barring any unusual illnesses. I'm sure
*^*someone will post some acutal figures, but in the meantime, I think
*^*you can plan on her being around for a while.
*^*
*^*Regards,
*^*
*^*Connie Terwilliger (Alexia, Von VII, Peaches, Mr. Tibbs and a dogger
named Bailey)
*^********************************************
*^*Kitty Klips - The Cat Containment System
*^*http://members.aol.com/kittyklips/klips.htm
--
Rhonda /\_/\
( ' ^ ' )//////////"""""
^ \\\\\\\\\
_/ _/ _\ _\
"""""""""
Jill Hurley P205
>I'm just wondering why you haven't ever had your cat neutered? I realize
>she's an indoor cat, but heats are notoriously uncomfortable for a female
>cat to go through with no hope of a "result" if you get my drift! Besides,
>there are several health benefits that accompany hysterectomy for cats,
>including decreased risk of uterine cancers and related diseases. If you're
>worried about her life-span and health, keeping her indoors is the best way
>to ensure a long and happy life, but you might want to consider having her
>spayed to improve her health and overall well-being.
Again, the debate as to whether a cat is healthier outdoors or indoors
is entirely subjective. Cats who are allowed outdoors get more exercise
and are generally in better physical condition (read: not overweight)
than indoor cats. It's good for animals to be given necessary exercise and
sunlight -- some of the same things that keep humans healthy, as well!
Barry Tryon
Rabbi,
I've heard anywhere from 14 to 16 years expectancy. The estimates are
always longer for indoor cats. Friends of mine just put to sleep their
cat. They didn't know her age but they had her for 18 years and she
wasn't a kitten when they got her.
- Barry
Rabbi K wrote:
>
> What is the average life expectancy of a cat? My cat is 13 years
> old and very healthy, however I am very worried that she only has a
> couple of more years. She is an american shorthair, normal weight,
Sven Lindberg
She can live many years if You take god care. We hav a longhaired
persian. (longhaired lives normally a shorter time. She is 18
have had some diseases but is still going on
Int Ch Tarampas Aminas
"Mimmi"
Miss Tigger
I know that everyone has a different answer to the question--How long do
cats live?-- I am studying to be a veterinarian and learned that cats
can live to be 20 to 25 years old. However, the average lifespan of a
cat is 10 to 15 years.
--
"The purity of a person's heart
can be quickly measured
by how they regard animals."
>^..^< misst...@geocities.com
Visit Miss Tigger's Corner at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/4430
Jshartwell
The average age is considered to be 12-14 years old. Over 14 is not
uncommon, but the number of curious and incautious cats which meet with
disaster before their 2nd birthday brings the average down a bit. Mine
have reached 18, 21 and 24 and there is a 28 year old neutered male feral
living at a cat shelter (free to roam, but with a shed and a bed at
night).
Sarah