A recent study has identified the longest-living cat breeds, with Birman and Burmese cats having an average life expectancy of 14.4 years. This research, conducted by Dan O’Neill and his team at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK, analyzed data from 7,936 cats that died between 2019 and 2021, gathered from veterinary records across the country.
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The study found that the overall life expectancy for cats is just over 11.7 years, with female cats living longer than males—12.5 years versus 11.2 years. Crossbred cats also tend to outlive purebreds, with expected lifespans of 11.9 years and 10.4 years, respectively.
Among the twelve breeds represented in the data, Bengal cats and sphynxes ranked lowest in life expectancy, with averages of 8.5 years and 6.7 years. Interestingly, unlike dogs, cat longevity does not seem to correlate significantly with physical traits like body size.
O’Neill pointed out that the variations in cat longevity often depend on factors that are less pronounced than in dogs, stating that the differences among cat breeds are mainly aesthetic. Additionally, the research team developed life tables that predict the average remaining lifespan of cats at various ages. This tool can assist pet owners in making informed decisions about veterinary care for their older or ill cats.