Before you find out how long a cat lives and what are the stages of a cat's life, let's see where it came from legend that says the cat has 9 lives.
It is said that the cat has 9 lives, but in reality it has only one life just like any other living thing. The myth that cats have 9 lives comes from ancient Egypt. At that time the goddess Bastet was worshipped, with the body of a woman and the head of a cat. The Egyptians said about this goddess that she had several lives, which is why the same thing was believed about cats.
Back to real life these days, a cat's lifespan depends a lot on exposure to danger, accidents (especially outside cats), quality of life and genetic inheritance.
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How long does a cat live - Stages of life
The longest possible lifespan depends mostly on the environment in which they live, sterilization and diet. A cat that stays indoors has a good chance of reaching or even exceeding 20 years of life, while a cat that stays outside and roams, reaches 8 - 10 years of life in the happiest case. Cat breed is also known to determine longevity. Siamese and Burmese cats seem to live longer than other breeds or than common cats. There are also exceptions when the cat can reach the age of 30.
A cat's life consists of 6 stages. At every stage in a cat's life, it needs specific attention.
1. Kitten – from birth to 6 months of age
It is the stage when the infant kitten begins to explore and learn the first things. To get to know the environment and start to develop their first natural skills. In "10 tips how to raise a happy kitten" I gave useful tips on how to care for a kitten and what you need to do for its safety and education.
The kitten's main concerns will be play and sleep. A cat at 6 months has the equivalent of 10 human years.
2. Junior – from 6 months to 2 years
In only 2 years, the cat will almost reach its maximum size. The body will be defined and developed, and soon it will pass the stage of childhood. Note however that a cat can reproduce shortly after 1 year. It is good for up to 2 years let the cat be sterilizer And with vaccines up to date. Valid for both cats and dogs.
3. Young cat – 3 years to 6 years
In the human years, means that the cat is between 28 and 44 years old. The period of life in which the cat reaches the peak of performance, is strong and healthy. However, take into account vaccinations and medical checks if you notice that something is not right with the cat.
4. Mature or adult cat - between 7 and 10 years
At this age, the cat begins to show the first signs of slowing down and is the period when it begins to gain the most weight. The food must be adapted for mature cats, as well as the amount. Obesity is a danger to the health and life of adult cats. It's good to step up your routine checks.
O 10-year-old cat is equivalent to 56 human years.
5. Senior – the cat is between 11 and 14 years old
Starting at this age, cats start to show the first signs of old age. In human years, the cat reaches 72 years.
Smell, taste and hearing lose their accuracy. Joints begin to be less flexible and reflexes are reduced. Starting at this age we must be very attentive to all the signs of old age of the cat and help it through diets, frequent checks at the vet and environmental conditions.
Diet is very important for senior cats. Many cat food manufacturers offer food menus optimized specifically for cats over 11 years of age.
6. Geriatric cat – Over 15 years of age
At the age of 15, the cat has the equivalent of 76 human years, and each cat year will be equivalent to 4 human years.
At this age, the signs of aging are more pronounced and owners must be attentive to all the signs that could indicate a medical problem. If the cat has a poor appetite and begins to lose weight, it may indicate a digestive problem. Frequent urination and excessive thirst can indicate problems with the urinary system or blood sugar that is not within normal parameters. Stiffness and reduced mobility can be a sign of arthritis.
Basically, cats start developing medical problems at this age just like humans.
Visits to veterinary clinics should be as frequent as possible.
The answer to the question "How long does a cat live?” is given by the quality of life in all stages of development, by race and genetic inheritance.
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