What Cat Breed Lives The Longest? Top 11 Longest Living Cat

As a pet parent, you want to enjoy as many years as possible with your furry companion. So if you’re looking to add a new feline friend to your home, it’s natural to wonder - what cat breed lives the longest?

While there’s no way to guarantee your cat’s lifespan, some breeds are known for their longevity. With proper care and nutrition, certain cats can live well into their late teens or even early 20s.

What Determines a Cat’s Lifespan?

A cat’s lifespan depends on a complex combination of factors, including:

• Genetics: Some breeds are predisposed to live longer than others.

• Environment: Keeping your cat indoors and providing a safe, enriching home is key. Outdoor cats have much shorter lifespans.

• Veterinary care: Regular checkups and prompt treatment of any illness or injury helps cats live longer, healthier lives.

• Nutrition: A high-quality diet supports good health and longevity.

• Exercise and play: Keeping your cat active and engaged also adds years to its life.

• Stress level: Minimizing stress by meeting your cat’s needs helps prevent illness and prolong life.

• Human interaction: Love, affection, and quality time with you enhances longevity.

While you can’t change your cat’s genetics, you can optimize all the other factors with proper care. And choosing a breed already inclined toward long life gives your cat the best odds.

11 Cat Breeds with the Longest Lifespans

Here are 11 cat breeds known for their longevity, ranked from longest living to shortest among these high-endurance kitties.

1. Persian

Average Lifespan: 15-20 years

Personality: Sweet, gentle, quiet

With their long, flowing coats and squishy faces, Persian cats tend to have a serene demeanor. They form deep bonds with their families but are also happy lounging solo. These loving lap cats do require regular grooming to keep their luxurious fur looking its best. Persians are prone to dental disease and breathing issues due to their flat faces. But with proper care, they often live well into their teens or early 20s.

2. Siamese

Average Lifespan: 15-20 years

Personality: Social, vocal, active

Known for their chatty voices and striking coat colors, Siamese cats crave human interaction and thrive when they get it. Their intelligence also makes them adept communicators. Siamese stay playful and inquisitive well into old age. But their need for attention means they don’t do well left alone for long periods. With an affectionate family by their side, Siamese often live 15-20 years.

3. Maine Coon

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Personality: Friendly, social, loyal

As one of the largest domesticated cat breeds, the gentle Maine Coon makes a loving companion. Their shaggy coats and tufted toes give them a rugged, wild appearance. But Maine Coons love their people and get along well with other pets too. Their size makes them prone to joint issues and heart disease. Still, with proper vet care, exercise, and diet, Maine Coons often reach 15 years or more. Their record is 25!

4. Burmese

Average Lifespan: 16-20 years

Personality: Charming, social, energetic

With their playful personalities, Burmese cats stay kitten-like their whole lives. They form strong bonds with their families and thrive when they get lots of attention. Burmese love to chat and have distinct, soft voices. Their sleek brown coats shed minimally too. Like the Siamese, the Burmese is prone to diabetes but otherwise robust. With an enriched indoor lifestyle, they regularly live over 15 years.

5. Bombay

Average Lifespan: 12-16 years

Personality: Affectionate, lively, attached

Resembling a mini black panther, the Bombay has an endearing loyalty to its family. They actively seek conversation and cuddle time with their preferred people. Bombays love attention but aren’t needy. They’re playful, adaptable cats. The Bombay’s short, sleek coat requires little maintenance too. Like other deep-chested breeds, Bombays are prone to heart issues. But their vigorous exercise and play help keep their cardiovascular system strong.

6. Japanese Bobtail

Average Lifespan: 15-18 years

Personality: Intelligent, active, chatty

Japanese Bobtails have unique short, bunny-like tails. They tend to be extremely agile, active cats. This breed loves to play, explore, and interact with humans. They thrive when they get lots of exercise and mental stimulation. The Japanese Bobtail’s short coat is also easy to groom. With appropriate outlets for their high energy, Japanese Bobtails often live 15 years or longer.

7. Balinese

Average Lifespan: 15-20 years

Personality: Outgoing, talkative, affectionate

Closely related to the Siamese, the Balinese shares a similar personality - plus a silky long coat. This breed craves companionship and bonding with their special people. They have extremely chatty, musical voices too. The Balinese also shares the Siamese’s talent for communication, so training is often easy. With brushing to prevent mats, the Balinese’s coat remains manageable. This breed lives an equally long lifespan as the Siamese.

8. Russian Blue

Average Lifespan: 15-20 years

Personality: Gentle, quiet, observant

With their distinctive silvery-blue coats, Russian Blues are highly intelligent but reserved cats. They tend to bond closely with their owners while ignoring strangers. Russian Blues thrive when they have quiet, quality time with their special person. They also amuse themselves well when left alone. Their short coats shed minimally and require little upkeep. Overall a robust breed, Russian Blues regularly live into their late teens.

9. Ragdoll

Average Lifespan: 12-17 years (18-25 years indoors)

Personality: Docile, affectionate, relaxed

As their name suggests, Ragdoll cats go limp when cradled in their owners arms. They love to be petted and cuddled. Despite their large size, they are extremely gentle, laid-back cats. Ragdolls get along well with children and other pets too. They do require regular brushing for their long, fluffy coats. Mostly healthy, they can be prone to heart conditions. But with an enriched indoor lifestyle, Ragdolls easily make it into their late teens or 20s.

10. Savannah

Average Lifespan: 12-20 years

Personality: Adventurous, loyal, outgoing

A hybrid between domestic cats and the African serval, Savannahs retain much of the serval’s exotic wildcat appearance. They have exceptionally long bodies, large ears, and spotted coats. Savannah cats bond closely with their families but can be aloof with strangers. They thrive with lots of interactive play and environmental enrichment. Their high energy also translates to robust health. With proper care, Savannah cats regularly live 15-20 years.

11. Sphynx

Average Lifespan: 12-20 years

Personality: Snuggly, playful, intelligent

Despite their otherworldly, hairless appearance, Sphynx cats are highly affectionate and social. They love to cuddle and stay close to their humans at all times. Sphynxes have lively, mischievous personalities and enjoy playing with anything they can bat around. Their hairless bodies make them prone to temperature regulation issues and skin problems. But their overall vigor - and lack of coat to groom! - lets them live over 15 years when well cared for.

Tips for Maximizing Your Cat’s Lifespan

Now that you know which cat breeds are most likely to stick around the longest, here are some tips to help maximize your kitty’s lifespan:

• Spay/neuter your cat: “Fixed” cats live 62% longer on average! They’re less prone to illness and less likely to get lost or injured.

• Keep your cat indoors: Outdoor cats have dangerous encounters with cars, predators, and diseases. Indoor kitties live over 10 years longer. Provide a stimulating indoor environment.

• Feed a high quality diet: Choose a brand that meets AAFCO cat food standards. Pick age-appropriate formulas as your cat matures.

• Provide routine veterinary care: Annual exams and prompt treatment when sick keeps your cat in top shape. Vaccinate and use prescription parasite control.

• Give love and attention: Quality time, play, and affection reduce cats’ stress and strengthen the immune system.

• Keep your cat active: Engage your cat with interactive toys and activities to keep their mind and body exercised. Treat food puzzles provide mental stimulation.

• Manage health conditions: Follow your vet’s advice for successfully managing any chronic diseases your senior cat develops. Medication and diet can prolong quality of life.

Choosing a breed genetically prone to longevity stacks the deck in your favor. But any cat can beat the odds and live healthily into their late teens or beyond when given the proper care.

Focus on providing the highest quality of life each day, and your feline friend could surprise you by celebrating 20 candles on their kitty cake!