Depends on what you feed them. Most crap cat food is full of ash that destroys the kidneys over time. If you pay more for the good stuff, you can get to 18-20. We adopted two kittens from the shelter in 1998. One died a year ago and the other is still going strong.

I think 15 to 20 is typical. May depend on the breed. Our last pair of Tonkinese lived to be 16 and 18. Both died of ailments -- diabetes and liver issues. If they hadn't been sick, they might have lived longer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can never get them past 11. One was only 9. Kidneys, breast cancer.

Breast cancer? really. I never thought about a cat getting breast cancer.

Yep. Lumps and all. Very sad. Miss her very much.

Anonymous wrote:13 - 17 for an indoor cat. 3 - 5 reported for cats that go outdoors, though I think that's propaganda.

We euthanized our indoor/outdoor cat at 21. I think that's uncommon but hardly rare.

All the outdoor (or half indoor/half outdoor) cats we've had or known have all exceeded that number big time - in the 15+ range. Our outdoor cat lived to be 17. She had an extremely healthy life up until the last month.

Anonymous wrote:I can never get them past 11. One was only 9. Kidneys, breast cancer.

Breast cancer? really. I never thought about a cat getting breast cancer.

I've had one 20 and one 21. My current one
Was born in 1997.

I can never get them past 11. One was only 9. Kidneys, breast cancer.

Mine made it to just about 20.

My last cat made it to 18 years and was healthy right up until the end. He was strictly indoor only and just your garden variety shorthair tabby. Best cat I ever had

13 - 17 for an indoor cat. 3 - 5 reported for cats that go outdoors, though I think that's propaganda.

We euthanized our indoor/outdoor cat at 21. I think that's uncommon but hardly rare.

We had 2 rescued feral cats and they lived to be 7 and 12. After they were rescued, they were indoor/outdoor cats and died of illness (liver failure, heart failure). We rescued over 20 feral kittens from a colony living nearby, and only the one made it to 10, the rest died younger. They just weren't that healthy.

My cat is 19 (and 1/2) and my vet describes him as on the 'outer realm' of cat lifespan.

My parents had one that hit 20 years but I think anywhere from 15-18 is typical.

Based on how old my childhood cats were when they died, typically they live until 12-15. Then there's the Siamese my parents found when I was in 6th grade. He's currently 19 and going strong.

What is the average lifespan of an indoor cat?