In addition to the findings regarding the Sphynx breed, a recent study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery has revealed that while domestic cats generally live up to 18 years, certain breeds may have shorter life spans. The hairless Sphynx breed, which originated in Ontario, Canada, has an average life expectancy of only 6.8 years, making it the breed with the shortest life span among domesticated cats. This could potentially be attributed to several breed-specific diseases, according to researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK and the National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan.
Interestingly, Burmese and Birman breeds were found to have the longest life expectancy, at 14.4 years, followed by crossbreed cats at 11.9 years and Siamese cats at 11.7 years. These findings were based on the clinical data of 7,936 cats that were registered with vets in the UK between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021.
The researchers produced the first “life tables” for various breeds, which predict the remaining life expectancy and probability of death across a range of age groups in any given population. These tables can assist owners and veterinarians in making informed decisions regarding the best course of action to promote their feline friends’ overall wellbeing. They discovered that female cats tend to live longer than males, with an extra 1.33 years on average. Additionally, purebred cats and those that are underweight or overweight appear to have shorter lifespans.
As lead study author Kendy Teng, an assistant professor of Animal Welfare Epidemiology at NCHU, explains, “These life tables represent a significant milestone in understanding the lives of cats.” By being aware of their cat’s expected lifespan, owners will be able to make more informed decisions for their pets. As Teng puts it, “We’re not just raising awareness; we’re helping owners make ‘pawsitive’ decisions for their cats.”
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