What Is the Average Lifespan of a Cat?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 30, 2020

The average lifespan of a domesticated cat ranges from 12 years to 18 years. Cats aged 20 years and older are not uncommon. The oldest recorded cat was Creme Puff, a female cat who lived to be 38 years and 3 days old, or the equivalent of 168 human years.

Indoor cats commonly live longer than outdoor cats, which can be attributed to less exposure to risk factors such as disease, accidents, malnourishment and parasites. Cats that see a veterinarian regularly are more likely to have health problems caught before they become serious enough to affect the cat’s life expectancy.