Cats have relatively long lives. You can typically expect them to live anywhere from 10-14 years but if you are looking for a cat that lives longer than that on average, our Tumwater vets are here to give you a list.
Which Cat Breeds Live the Longest?
Every cat is different, so it can be challenging to determine how long your cat is going to live. Nature vs nurture is a huge determining factor when it comes to the lifespan of each cat. Underlying health conditions and unforeseen illnesses can also affect how long a cat can live. This is also why getting your older cat regular geriatric care is so important.
Assuming a cat lives a long and healthy life, our Tumwater vets share 5 of the best cat breeds that have a longer lifespan.
Burmese
These cats are considered to be medium-sized with short coats. They are known to be energetic, playful and generally very friendly with both their owners and new people. These cute companions love children and make for an ideal breed for a family pet.
There is a record of a Burmese cat who lived to be 35 years old. Most Burmese cats don't live to be this long of course, but they do have an impressive lifespan of 18 to 25 years.
Munchkin
Munchkin cats are actually a newer breed of cat known for having dwarfism. The energetic, fun-loving breed is well-known for its speed despite having noticeably short legs. These cats can be born with one of 3 different leg lengths known as standard length (the tallest), super short (second tallest), and the shortest length known as 'rug huggers'.
This breed will usually live up to 15 years old.
Balinese
Some believe the Balinese cat is a descendant of the Siamese cat. The Balinese have physical traits similar to a Siamese cat but have different fur. Balinese cats have a longer coat length compared to Siamese cats. Balinese cats are fun cats to have as pets as they are known for being outgoing, affectionate, active, intelligent, agile, and 'chatty'.
A healthy Balinese cat can live between 18 and 22 years old.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are another newer breed of cat. Their first appearance can be dated back to the early 1960s. Ragdoll cats have long, silky fur and are relatively similar to Persian cats. As its name would suggest, the Ragdoll cat is laid-back and easy-going and can become limp when you pick it up, just like a ragdoll. Ragdoll cats are very friendly, even with strangers. They are also gentle and love to just lounge around the house.
Despite their soft look, these cats are quite the tough and healthy breed that can live up to 15-25 years.
Siamese
As the name indicated, Siamese cats came from Thailand (formerly known as Siam). Siamese cats have become quite popular because they are sociable, playful, and entertaining. It is possible to train Siamese cats due to their intelligent nature. Siamese cats can actually learn how to walk on a harness and even perform tricks.
Siamese cats tend to live up to 15 years on average, but it is not unheard of for them to live to be 20 years old.
