how old do cats live

Most pet cats live around 12–18 years, with many healthy indoor cats reaching their late teens and some making it past 20.

How old do cats live on average?

• Large studies suggest an average life expectancy of roughly 11–15 years for domestic cats overall.

• Cats that live indoors, get regular vet care, and eat a balanced diet often outlive this average and can reach 15–20 years.

• Exceptional “record-holder” cats have reached their mid‑30s, but those are rare outliers, not the norm.

Indoor vs outdoor cats

• Indoor cats typically live about 12–18 years.

• Outdoor-only cats often live closer to 2–5 (sometimes up to about 5–10) years because of cars, predators, fights, diseases, and parasites.

• Keeping a cat indoors or giving only supervised outdoor time is one of the biggest ways to extend their lifespan.

Other factors that change lifespan

• Breed: Long‑lived breeds like Siamese, Burmese, and similar cats commonly reach 15–20 years, while some larger or more inbred breeds average closer to 9–13 years.

• Sex and neuter status: Female cats tend to live about 1–1.5 years longer than males, and spayed/neutered cats live longer than intact cats.

• Weight and health: Being overweight slightly shortens life expectancy, and regular vet care (vaccines, parasite control, dental and blood work) helps catch problems earlier.

A simple way to picture it: if your cat is indoors, well‑cared‑for, and of a generally healthy breed or mixed background, planning for 15–20 years together is realistic.