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.