Sadly, even though cats are thought of as having “nine lives,” it’s a fact that cats don’t live as long as humans. Cats don’t live as long because a cat’s life is accelerated from the time they are born, including reproducing.
Cats can start reproducing as early as 6 months old. Can you imagine if humans had that ability? Of course not! The same goes for teeth, as cats begin developing teeth as early as 3 weeks of age.
When it comes to a cat’s longevity, several factors come into play, and in this article, we’ll examine those factors to find out why cats have shorter lifespans than humans.
Why Don’t Cats Live as Long as Humans?
As we’ve stated, a cat’s life is accelerated from the time they are born. They reproduce early and develop much, much quicker than humans during their lifetime, all of which take a toll on their bodies and health over time.
A cat is considered a senior as early as 8 years of age. For humans, that’s still very much a young child. Other factors that shorten a cat’s lifespan are inbreeding, metabolism, and evolution.
To brighten up this topic, domesticated cats can live upward of 20 + years, but that’s still much shorter than we would like 1. Some cats can even live up to 30 years old, but that is not seen as often.
What Is the Average Lifespan of a Cat?
Why do cats have short life spans? The average lifespan of a cat ranges from 10 to 15 years. A cat that has been well taken care of can live even longer, especially if the cat is an indoor cat.
Outside cats can easily get run over or get into something poisonous that can cut their lives short. With proper nutrition and care, a cat can have a long life, but all the stars need to align, and owners must do their part to keep their cats healthy.
What Can I Do to Increase My Cat’s Lifespan?
As long as your cat has no predisposing factors that can cut its life short, such as diabetes, you can do a few things that will increase your cat’s longevity. These are as follows:
Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe
Final Thoughts
Cats do not live as long as we would like, but they can still live long, healthy lives with proper nutrition and care. Remember to take your cat for regular checkups and get into a dental hygiene routine. Feed your cat a balanced diet, and always consult your vet with any questions or concerns, as they will guide you in the right direction.
Featured Image Credit: Trusova Evgeniya, Shutterstock
