Mathematically we can see that an outdoor cats lifespan can be reduced by 25 times to that of an indoor cat. A cat raised indoors may be less street-wise when it comes to these kinds of risks and as a result more vulnerable.
Mathematically we can see that an outdoor cats lifespan can be reduced by 25 times to that of an indoor cat.
Do inside cats live longer than outdoor cats. On average indoor cats live almost three times as long as outdoor cats. According to this study the average age of an indoor cat is about 14 years old while the average age of an outdoor cat is just under 6 years old. Outdoor Cats Life Span Outdoor cats live less as they are exposed to viruses bacteria accidents and fights which can endanger their health.
A pet that spends more time outdoors may live on average 2 to 3 years less than a cat that lives exclusively indoors. Youre so lucky to have a cat that may live longer than you ever expect if you have an indoor cat but outdoor cats dont live longer as much as indoor cats. Mathematically we can see that an outdoor cats lifespan can be reduced by 25 times to that of an indoor cat.
Indoor cats tend to live longer than their outdoor counterparts typically reaching 10 to 15 years of age. Cats who spend their lives exclusively outdoors live an average of just 2 to 5 years. Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats.
Even indooroutdoor cats live longer than those who live outdoors exclusively. The American Humane Society list all the things that endanger outdoor cats. Some of them are diseases like FIV and feline leukemia.
Then there cars accidents fights with other animals poison left by cat haters and predators that eat cats. Cruel people shoot cats. One of the facts often quoted in favor of indoor cats is they live longer than outdoor cats.
But this argument is flawed because once young cats who die in traffic accidents are taken out of the equation the statistics level out. Indeed outdoor cats who live beyond 1 year have a life expectancy into the high teens just like indoor cats. Defenders maintain that theres a tradeoff but studies report that indoor-only cats live several years longer than cats who sometimes navigate life outside.
Indoor cats also live much longer than outdoor cats. In fact the record for the oldest house cat is over thirty years while outdoor cats are sometimes lucky. Indooroutdoor cats have a far longer lifespan than you have stated as millions of us know since we have taught our animals about cars and dogs and people.
ALL my indooroutdoor cats have lived beyond 15 years and I am no exception. Because of this and because they are fed better cats now live longer healthier lives than ever before. The average life span of indoor cats is about 14 years though this is reduced to 4 years in cats that are allowed to roam free exposing themselves to the hazards of outdoor life.
To put this into context the average lifespan of an indoor cat could be anywhere from 15 to 17 years. However an outdoor cat could be as low as 2 to 3 years. So as you can see it is quite a big difference.
Should an indoor cat even be allowed outside. No matter where they live outdoor cats are also much more susceptible to illnesses through exposure to other animals either wild or domestic. A cat raised indoors may be less street-wise when it comes to these kinds of risks and as a result more vulnerable.
Keep in mind too that curiosity about the outdoors doesnt necessarily translate to a desire to spend time out there. Cats love exploring and playing outdoors and while they might bring back the occasional present or pick up a scratch or two its more mentally stimulating for them than being indoors. If you follow the steps and safety precautions Ive outlined in this article Im sure the indoor cat to outdoor cat transition will go smoothly regardless of how long theyve lived indoors.
A much longer life span. An all-indoor cat lives an average of 13 to 17 years whereas a cat whos allowed to roam is likely to survive just two to five years. That said they may live longer depending on a few factors like where they live.
The one absolute rule when making the indoor-outdoor decision. Declawed kitties should be kept inside. Your cat will likely benefit from the change too.
Cats who stay indoors have longer lifespans than those who are left to roam outdoors. In her article Should You Let Your Cat Go Outdoors. Jacque Lynn Shultz from the ASPCA notes that indoor-only cats live an average of 10-12 years while outdoor-only cats survive only an average of 2 years.
Indoor cats live longer lives than cats allowed to free roam but do need the opportunity to climb and scratch as well as physical and mental stimulation with toys and interactive games. Striking a compromise with a catio or outdoor cat enclosure is the perfect solution which provides access to outside areas but in a safe and controlled environment. Many cat rescues require potential adopters to agree to keep their cats inside and many veterinarians recommend the same.
Theres some pretty good reasoning behind this particularly when it comes to your cats health and safety. Indoor cats tend to live much longer lives than outdoor catsabout 10 to 15 years instead of just two to five years according to UC Davis Veterinary. In fact the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 15 years whereas the lifespan of outdoor cats are way shorter averaging just 2 to 5 years.
This is due to the many dangers cats face outdoors like cars or predators. Even raccoons will frequently try and hunt cats.