- A new research examined various feline breeds with the aim of identifying which ones have the longest lifespans.
- Burmese and Birman cats led the rankings, but it's not evident why.
- Several elements can affect how long an action lasts. cat lives including whether it resides indoors or outdoors.
According to some, Burmese cats are energetic, sociable, and have an excessive penchant for grooming. research . They may also be one of the cat breeds that live the longest.
Most cat breeds are Less than 150 years old, and there isn't much data on how discrepancies among different varieties impact their longevity.
To aid in altering this, recently study we compared 12 popular cat breeds to find out which ones have the longest lifespans.
Learning more about the different breeds "enable feline proprietors to forecast the prospective lifespan of their cats through advanced scientific techniques and the influence of large-scale data analysis," stated study co-author and veterinary professional Dan O'Neill in a statement. statement .
The study revealed that Burmese and Birman cats have the longest lifespans, averaging around 14 years, which is roughly two years more than the typical domestic cat. However, the reasons behind this extended longevity for these specific breeds remain unclear.
Forecasting the lifespan of cats
In this latest research, scientists from London's Royal Veterinary College (RVC) along with colleagues from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan examined the ages of 7,936 cats that passed away during the period from 2019 to 2021.
More than 7,000 of the felines in the research were crossbreeds. The majority among the remaining 11 cat breeds consisted of types such as British shorthairs, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Persians.
Generally, the study revealed that cats' lifespans typically fell between approximately 9 to 14 years.
For instance, Siamese and crossbred cats had life spans exceeding 11.5 years, while those such as Norwegian Forest, Maine Coon, Russian, and British surpassed 9.5 years.
Below is a summary of the findings from the research team:
|
Breed |
Life expectancy (years) |
|
Burmese |
14.42 |
|
Birman |
14.39 |
|
Crossbred |
11.89 |
|
Siamese |
11.69 |
|
Persian |
10.93 |
|
Ragdoll |
10.31 |
|
Norwegian Forest Cat |
9.95 |
|
Maine Coon |
9.71 |
|
Russian cats |
9.65 |
|
British cats |
9.58 |
|
Bengal |
8.51 |
|
*Sphynx |
6.68 |
*Certain breeds, such as Sphynx cats, might lack sufficient data to precisely determine their lifespans, according to Leslie Lyons, an expert in domestic cat genetics at the University of Missouri.
Although the research revealed that Burmese and Birman cats generally had the longest lifespans, nearly every breed included at least one cat that reached the age of 20 years or older.
Limitations with the data
Lyons mentioned that one possible problem with certain data is how challenging it can be for individuals to identify their cats' breeds accurately.
"She mentioned that some of these cats listed as specific breeds might not truly qualify as pedigree breeds." An owner could presume their shelter cat With silvery fur is mistakenly thought to be a Russian Blue, but it's actually a mixed breed.
Unlike with dogs—some of which have been utilized for hundreds for years to track prey, gather sheep, or haul sleds — cats were often bred For aesthetic purposes instead of personality or physical prowess.
This is why variations between cat breeds aren't as significant as those found in dog breeds and may not affect felines' wellbeing similarly.
It's not akin to contrasting a Doberman with a Pekingese. This is because when it comes to cats, aesthetic traits Are behaviorally and functionally less complicated than those of dogs, according to Lyons.
Nevertheless, these breed preferences can still have an impact. unintended consequences , similar to the flat noses of Persian cats, which can cause breathing difficulties.
The lifespan of a cat varies due to numerous factors.
Along with breed, the research examined several elements such as gender. weight , and whether the cat had been spayed or neutered. Both female cats and those that were sterilized generally lived slightly longer.
Lyons views this research as an initial step toward exploring additional elements that affect lifespans, such as hours dedicated to activities. indoors or outdoors which the study failed to consider.
Vehicle collisions, parasitic infestations, and conflicts with other felines pose significant risks for outdoor cats. Consequently, certain studies have looked into this issue. suggests Cats that spend time outdoors typically live for just two to five years on average.
The researchers, whose findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal "Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery," noted that additional studies are necessary to investigate why companion cats die, particularly focusing on the Sphynx breed.
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