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Aug
They generally live longer lives because they arent being exposed to as many diseases as outdoor cats are. On average wild homeless and feral cats live.
In addition unexpected accidents may end an outdoor cats.
Do outdoor cats live longer than indoor 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. Thats a big difference.
The numbers dont lie. 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.
In addition unexpected accidents may end an outdoor cats. 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.
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 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. 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 Medicine.
Thats because there are a lot of outdoor hazards that cats can be exposed to ranging from parasites and disease to cars toxins and other animals. When you keep your cat indoors. 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. 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. On average female cats live one to two years longer than male cats. On average indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats.
On average wild homeless and feral cats live. 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.
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. Indoor cats are known to survive outside from 2 to 5 years.
This is very different from being kept indoors. For example an indoor cat can expect to live up to 17 years. This is mainly because of all the potential hazards available to an outdoor cat such as cars other animals etc.
So now you know. I have an indoor cat. Her name is Cookie and she is mostly an indoor cat but goes outdoors as well.
Until I read this article I didnt know the cats that live indoors have a longer life-span. This is great to know. This is a very useful article that clearly outlines the differences between indoor cats vs outdoor cats.
Cats like most creatures can adapt to almost any situation over time. Because of this an outdoor cat can successfully become an indoor cat and the reverse can happen as well. That being said there are many risks to allowing your cat regardless of their history outside.
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.
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. Defenders maintain that theres a tradeoff but studies report that indoor-only cats live several years longer than cats who sometimes navigate life outside.
The biggest pro for having indoor cats is health-related. They generally live longer lives because they arent being exposed to as many diseases as outdoor cats are. They also arent likely to run into predatorsunless a bear comes trampling into your.