2 Breeds of Cat That Boast Longer Lifespans

Anyone who has had to say goodbye to a cat after they have shared many years together knows how hard it can be to get over the loss. When well cared for our feline friends can live long and healthy lives with some breeds boasting slightly longer lifespans than others.

The majority of our feline friends can live anything from 10 to 15 years, but there are a lot of things that need to be factored in which includes a breed's genetic make-up. Two breeds that are known to have longer lifespans include both the Siamese and the Manx cat with some of these having been recorded as reaching anything between 15 to 20 years plus!

The Lovely but Vocal Siamese

Siamese cats are very attractive felines albeit they tend to be rather more demanding and vocal than many other breeds. They come from Thailand and over the years have become one of the most popular breeds to be kept as pets on the planet.

They are known for their very unique personalities and of course, their gorgeous good looks. Siamese cats are also known to have more dog-like traits although this can also be seen as child-like too. They are not the best choice for first-time cat owners simply because they are so unlike many other breeds in the “demanding” department and because they are so intelligent, they need to be given the right amount of attention for them to be truly happy felines.

The typical traits of the Siamese cat are as follows:

• Very vocal
• They boast dog-like characters
• Highly intelligent
• Incredibly loyal
• A need for stimulation both physical and mental

Sharing a home with a Siamese cat can prove challenging. However, people who do would never dream of owning any other breed of cat! The other bonus being that when well cared for, the Siamese cat can live anything from 3 to 5 years longer than other breeds.

The Stunning Manx Cat

The lovely looking Manx cat is a native to the Isle of Man and although they look much like any other cat, the one difference is they have a bob-tail and their hind legs are longer than their front ones. They also have very attractive round heads. The Manx is a superb hunter and for centuries they lived on ships because of their ratting skills.

The Manx is often referred to as a “Rumpy” because of the fact they don't have normal tails, but a tuft instead. Over the years they have become a very popular breed to keep as a family pet because they boast such kind natures with the bonus being that if they are well cared for, the Manx cat tends to have a much longer lifespan than many other breeds of cat.

The Oldest Recorded Cat

However, although both the Manx cat and the Siamese boast longer lifespans that other breeds, it is a Burmese that holds the record for living the longest having reached a glorious 35 years. However, there is another tabby cat which reached the grand old age of 39, although this is an unofficial record. Another feline, only this time it was a Sphynx cat lived right up to the age of 34!

Cats Living Indoors Boast Longer Lifespans

It's a well established fact that indoor cats live longer than those that are allowed to go outside. It's estimated that an indoor cat when they are not allowed to go exploring in the great outdoors, can be expected to live anything from 2 to 3 years longer than cats that are allowed outside. The reason being that they are less likely to catch any nasty diseases or being hit by a car.

Indoor Cats Tend to be Fed Better Diets

A cat that lives indoors also tends to be fed a better quality diet because their owners can keep a close eye on what their feline companions eat on a daily basis which means they consume a much healthier diet in general and not things like mice and rodents that they catch for themselves.

Helping Your Cat Stay Healthy

There are things you can do to make sure a feline companion stays nice and healthy throughout their lives and this includes taking them along for regular check ups at the vet. If you notice they are not themselves, the earlier a condition is correctly diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis tends to be and the sooner your pet is made to feel more comfortable.

Feeding a high quality balanced diet also goes a long way in ensuring your cat stays strong and healthy, but it's also very important for them to get a lot of regular exercise which is especially true for indoor pussy cats because all too often they lead more sedentary lives. Playing interactive games with your cat will help keep them in better condition both mentally and physically.

Conclusion

You can certainly help prolong a cat's life by feeding them a good nutritious and well balanced diet, but by keeping them as indoor pets is also a way of ensuring they don't pick up any nasty and debilitating diseases too. With this said, the Siamese and the Manx cat are known to live that much longer than other cats which can be anything up to five years and sometimes even more.