What is ave. lifespan

What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??

"ACP" wrote in message
...

What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??


Hmm .. with my limited knowledge, I would say the AVERAGE might be 10
for a normal, mixed-breed cat that lived indoors and had good vet care
and nutrition. I would guess that "Purebred" cats have a
significantly shorter lifespan because many times the inbreeding that
gives the flat faces, coat colors, etc. that are deemed "desirable"
also breeds in congenital illness. The occurrence of cancerous tumors
is higher in breeder cats. The occurrence of respiratory problems is
significantly higher in "oriental" cats (e.g. Siamese and Burmese)
than others, whether "purebred" or not. It isn't just a stereotype
that mutts are healthier. They do tend to be.

"ACP" wrote in message
...

What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??


Hmm .. with my limited knowledge, I would say the AVERAGE might be 10
for a normal, mixed-breed cat that lived indoors and had good vet care
and nutrition. I would guess that "Purebred" cats have a
significantly shorter lifespan because many times the inbreeding that
gives the flat faces, coat colors, etc. that are deemed "desirable"
also breeds in congenital illness. The occurrence of cancerous tumors
is higher in breeder cats. The occurrence of respiratory problems is
significantly higher in "oriental" cats (e.g. Siamese and Burmese)
than others, whether "purebred" or not. It isn't just a stereotype
that mutts are healthier. They do tend to be.

"ACP" wrote in message
...

What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??


You raised my curiosity, so I did a brief search (but these links do not
necessarily relate to purebred cats):

According to this location, the average age of indoor cats is 12.5 years --
http://www.cfhs.ca/Programs/HumaneEd...lic/IndoorCat/

12-16 years --
http://www.thedailycat.com/bringing/...chive/indoors/

12-15 years (survey by Cat Fancy magazine) --
http://stlcin.missouri.org/release/g...s.cfm?Auto=575

12-15 years --
http://teched.vt.edu/StudentWebSites/SPCA/Cats.htm


My personal experience with my own cats has been 16-20 years (again,
mixed-breed cats, not purebred).

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

"ACP" wrote in message
...

What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??


You raised my curiosity, so I did a brief search (but these links do not
necessarily relate to purebred cats):

According to this location, the average age of indoor cats is 12.5 years --
http://www.cfhs.ca/Programs/HumaneEd...lic/IndoorCat/

12-16 years --
http://www.thedailycat.com/bringing/...chive/indoors/

12-15 years (survey by Cat Fancy magazine) --
http://stlcin.missouri.org/release/g...s.cfm?Auto=575

12-15 years --
http://teched.vt.edu/StudentWebSites/SPCA/Cats.htm


My personal experience with my own cats has been 16-20 years (again,
mixed-breed cats, not purebred).

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

Currently, my parents' cats (littermates) are about 18 years old, but their
health is begining to go (one's developed arthritis, and the other one's
beginning to eat a bit less).


Magdalene
IWG #1024/Drill Sgt. of Local 35/Soiled Doves of Colorado
IFoRP # 57/First Mate of "The Flying Scotsman"
KC MasterPiece of the KCRF BBQ Wenches
One of Moonie's Naughty Kittens
Red Gemini Ghetto Smurf
To email me, remove my bodice

Currently, my parents' cats (littermates) are about 18 years old, but their
health is begining to go (one's developed arthritis, and the other one's
beginning to eat a bit less).


Magdalene
IWG #1024/Drill Sgt. of Local 35/Soiled Doves of Colorado
IFoRP # 57/First Mate of "The Flying Scotsman"
KC MasterPiece of the KCRF BBQ Wenches
One of Moonie's Naughty Kittens
Red Gemini Ghetto Smurf
To email me, remove my bodice

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 23:00:03 -0600, ACP wrote:


What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??

This is going to vary from breed to breed, and how 'extreme'
the breed is will have an affect. A relatively structurally-normal
breed like an Abyssinian, a Japanese Bobtail, or a Ragdoll will live
about the same as an average cat, 12-15 years. They may do a little
better beause they have had the advantage of superior care and
nutrition throughout their lives. (*Please note that I am assuming the
OP is talking about a responsible hobby breeder*). Cats that are less
structurally normal, such as Persian types or Oriental types
(extremely flat face, extremely wedge-shaped head) will vary a bit
more, but there have been no definitive studies regarding longevity.
Some breeds are known to have long lifespans. These include
classic (applehead) Siamese, Bengals, and Maine Coons (off the top of
my head).


The true advantage (health-wise) of going with a responsible
breeder is not necessarily in the area of longevity, but in quality of
those years. Not to mention the temperament and socialisation
advantages.



Orchid

Orchid's Kitties: http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Orchid's Guide: http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 23:00:03 -0600, ACP wrote:


What is the average lifespan of a strictly indoor, purebred cat??

This is going to vary from breed to breed, and how 'extreme'
the breed is will have an affect. A relatively structurally-normal
breed like an Abyssinian, a Japanese Bobtail, or a Ragdoll will live
about the same as an average cat, 12-15 years. They may do a little
better beause they have had the advantage of superior care and
nutrition throughout their lives. (*Please note that I am assuming the
OP is talking about a responsible hobby breeder*). Cats that are less
structurally normal, such as Persian types or Oriental types
(extremely flat face, extremely wedge-shaped head) will vary a bit
more, but there have been no definitive studies regarding longevity.
Some breeds are known to have long lifespans. These include
classic (applehead) Siamese, Bengals, and Maine Coons (off the top of
my head).


The true advantage (health-wise) of going with a responsible
breeder is not necessarily in the area of longevity, but in quality of
those years. Not to mention the temperament and socialisation
advantages.



Orchid

Orchid's Kitties: http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Orchid's Guide: http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

12-16 years --
http://www.thedailycat.com/bringing/...chive/indoors/
MaryL

That´s a short average lifespan for an animal that can live up to its 30´s.