How long do cats live? This is a common question from cat owners. Since many factors can affect the cat lifespan, there is no single answer. However, a healthy indoor cat can live up to twenty-one years.
If the cat is allowed to spend time outdoors without confinement or supervision, the cat lifespan is often drastically decreased. Pat cats who roam outdoors are susceptible to accidents such as being struck by a car, disease contracted from other cats, and poisoning which is usually accidental.
The hazards of being outdoors all the time drastically affects the lifespan of stray cats and feral cats. A large percentage of stray and feral cats only live a few years due to these dangers and starvation.
Just like in people, a cat's body changes as the cat ages. Normal aging involves gradual changes, but some senior cats develop age-related illness. Caring for senior cats involves identifying normal age-related changes, caring for the aging cats special needs, and consulting your veterinarian about any drastic changes or questions about the aging cat.
The remarkable growth of kittens in their first weeks of life is demonstrated by the stages of kitten development. Kittens of all cat breeds progress through the stages of kitten development.