How long will your cat live? The answer depends on its breed, its size, and its weight — and on the care you give it. This guide is the cat life expectancy by breed: the breeds that live longest and shortest on this site, the lifespans by size, and the factors that add years or take them away. Every figure is a typical range, not a promise: individual cats vary, and the care you give matters more than the breed label. The cat lifespan estimator estimates a lifespan for any breed and size.
The short version is: small breeds live longest, large breeds live shortest, and weight matters more than breed. A toy breed typically lives 12 to 16 years, a small breed 12 to 15, a medium breed 10 to 14, a large breed 10 to 12, and a giant breed 7 to 10 — for cats, small and medium breeds typically live 12 to 16 years, and large breeds 10 to 14. The longest living cat breeds guide gives the eight longest lived breeds, and the healthiest cat breeds guide gives the breeds with the longest typical lifespans and the fewest listed health issues.
Cat life expectancy by breed
The table below lists the five longest lived and five shortest lived cat breeds on this site. Use it to see where your breed sits, and to know what to expect — not as a countdown, but as a guide to the care your cat needs at each stage of its life.
| Breed | Size | Typical lifespan | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russian Blue | Medium | 15–20 years | Longest |
| Balinese | Medium | 12–20 years | Longest |
| Savannah | Large | 12–20 years | Longest |
| Turkish Angora | Medium | 12–18 years | Longest |
| American Shorthair | Medium | 15–17 years | Longest |
| Maine Coon | Large | 10–13 years | Shortest |
| Chausie | Large | 10–14 years | Shortest |
| Pixie-Bob | Large | 10–14 years | Shortest |
| Ragamuffin | Large | 10–14 years | Shortest |
| Highlander | Large | 10–14 years | Shortest |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: the longest lived breeds are small, and the shortest lived breeds are large. A Russian Blue typically lives 15–20 years, while a Maine Coon typically lives 10–13 years. The dog breed comparison tool compares any two breeds side by side.
Life expectancy by size
A small or medium cat typically lives 12 to 16 years, and a large cat typically lives 10 to 14 years. Those are ranges, not promises, and they overlap: a large cat that is kept lean and healthy can outlive a small cat that is overweight and never checked by a vet.
Size is the strongest predictor of lifespan in cats, stronger than breed group or temperament. The reason is still being studied, but the most likely explanation is that large breeds grow faster and age faster — their cells divide more, and they accumulate damage sooner — while small breeds grow more slowly and age more slowly. A large cat is also more prone to certain cancers and to joint problems, which shorten its life. The cat lifespan calculator guide works out an estimated lifespan for your cat, and the cat age calculator works out the human-age equivalent for any age.
What adds years to a cat's life
Four things make the biggest difference to a cat's lifespan: weight, diet, exercise, and vet care. A cat that is kept lean, fed a measured amount of a complete diet, exercised every day, and checked by a vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior, will live longer than one that is overweight, overfed, under-exercised, and never checked. Keeping a cat lean is the single most effective thing an owner can do: studies of Labrador Retrievers have found that lean dogs live about two years longer than overweight ones.
Neutering is also linked to a longer life in most studies, though the effect varies by breed and by the age at neutering — ask your vet about the timing for your breed. Dental care matters too: dental disease is common in cats, and it is linked to heart and kidney disease, so a cat whose teeth are checked and cleaned will live longer than one whose teeth are ignored. The cat calorie calculator guide works out how much to feed, and the is my cat overweight calculator guide helps you check your own cat's condition.
What takes years off a cat's life
Being overweight is the biggest avoidable factor: an overweight cat of any breed lives a shorter life than a lean one of the same breed, and the effect is large. Being under-exercised is next: a cat that does not move enough loses muscle, gains fat, and ages faster. Missing vet checks is third: a cat that is not checked regularly will have its diseases found late, when they are harder to treat, and a vet who knows your cat will notice changes sooner.
For cats, being allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised is also a major factor: outdoor cats are commonly cited as living about 2 to 5 years, against 10 to 15 years for indoor cats, because of traffic, predators, fights, and disease. For dogs, being left alone all day, or being kept in a way that does not suit the breed, is a major factor in stress and behaviour problems. The how long do cats live guide gives the lifespans by size and by lifestyle, and the when is a cat considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
How to use life expectancy
Use life expectancy to plan, not to worry: a cat with a typical lifespan of 10 years needs a different plan from one with a typical lifespan of 16 years. A short-lived breed needs senior care earlier — twice-yearly vet checks from about 6 or 7 years — while a long-lived breed needs it later, from about 10 or 11 years. A cat that is expected to live long needs a diet that supports it for longer, and an owner who can commit for longer.
Use it to choose a breed, too: if a long life is your priority, a small breed is the better choice — but the best breed for you is the one that fits your home and your time, not the one at the top of a list. A breed is a starting point, not a promise, and the individual cat matters more than the label. The cat breed selector quiz helps you choose a breed that fits your home, and the pet cost calculator works out the cost over a cat's life.
For related reading, see the cat lifespan estimator, the longest living cat breeds guide, the healthiest cat breeds guide, the cat lifespan calculator guide, the cat calorie calculator guide, the how long do cats live guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my cat live?
It depends on its breed, its size, and its weight — and on the care you give it. A small or medium cat typically lives 12 to 16 years, and a large cat typically lives 10 to 14 years. The table above lists the five longest lived and five shortest lived breeds on this site.
Which breeds live longest?
Russian Blue is at the top of the list on this site, typically living 15–20 years. The longest living cat breeds guide gives the eight longest lived breeds in full.
Which breeds live shortest?
Maine Coon is at the bottom of the list on this site, typically living 10–13 years. Large cat breeds typically live 10 to 14 years, against 12 to 16 for small and medium breeds.
Does weight affect life expectancy?
Yes — an overweight cat of any breed lives a shorter life than a lean one of the same breed. Studies of Labrador Retrievers have found that lean dogs live about two years longer than overweight ones. Keeping a cat lean is the single most effective thing an owner can do to help it live long.
Do indoor cats live longer than outdoor ones?
Yes — indoor cats are commonly cited as living about 10 to 15 years, against about 2 to 5 years for outdoor cats, because of traffic, predators, fights, and disease. Keeping a cat indoors, or giving it supervised outdoor access, is one of the biggest things you can do to help it live long.
When is a cat considered a senior?
A cat is usually considered a senior from about 11 years, and geriatric from 15. Those are rough guides, and your vet may move the boundary earlier or later depending on your individual cat's health.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.