People have a long-running joke that growing old alone equates to living with a bunch of cats. Those who are single in their 30s and above are encouraged to adopt a cat to accompany them until old age. If you’re a cat lover, it won’t be so much of a threat, especially since living with a fur baby brings so much happiness. Spending time with them every day can be therapeutic, although there are times when a feline prefers its personal space. Cats are the best companions, mainly if you prefer a calm lifestyle while thriving in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and so on. For this reason, before adopting one, you should consider the breeds with the longest life spans.
With a long life span, you can grow old together — whether with your own family or just the two of you. It’s also a special experience to share a life with a cat for the longest time. The two of you will have an unbreakable connection — they’re undoubtedly one of your soulmates. Cat breeds with the longest life span took the concept of nine lives to a whole other level. You’ll have the nicest time around these felines listed below.
AMERICAN SHORTHAIR
With a life span of 15-20 years, you’ll definitely share a lot of memories with the American Shorthair cat. Having a lively and playful cat at home can give you exciting days, even during a tranquil Sunday morning. They are family-oriented but can also be left alone without worries. Moreover, they are intelligent cat breeds that can help you with house maintenance regarding mice and bug extermination. To ensure longevity, you must track their food intake to avoid having them become overweight.
BURMESE
Add fun and excitement at home by adopting a Burmese cat with a playful demeanor. They are great for households, whether you’re living alone or with family. Expect to care for them for about 16 to 18 years, and they’ll give back with unconditional love and lots of laughter, as they are entertaining. Burmese cats are also a healthy breed, and you can especially maintain that by providing them with a balanced diet. Furthermore, parasite control is vital, which you can discuss with your vet.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/liz west
EGYPTIAN MAU
Being a cat parent to an Egyptian Mau will be the greatest decision you’ll ever make. Your house will feel homier for the longest time, as they can live for 12 to 15 years. Egyptian Maus are loyal, intelligent, and energetic, but they don’t like to share attention with other pets. You have to focus your pet parenting on the lovely feline, and you’ll never have any issues with them. They are also healthy breeds that require a balanced meal and parasite control for maintenance.
RAGDOLL
Aside from being adorable and having the prettiest blue eyes, ragdolls can be the perfect companion for up to 15 years. The stunning felines love attention and can become demanding at times. Nevertheless, they are worthy to be showered with love, as they are gentle souls that will give you unlimited joy. They’ll be your favorite couch buddies and playmates for a long time. However, ragdolls can trigger your allergies, as they are one of the least hypoallergenic among cat breeds.
SAVANNAH
If you are more into exotic pets, you can opt for a Savannah, which is a serval that can be domesticated. They are gorgeous breeds with a life span of 12 to 20 years. Savannah cats might come from the wild, but they love their human parents so much. Having an active life isn’t a problem, because they are playful breeds that enjoy fetching like a dog. You need to create a grooming routine for them since their coats must be brushed several times a week. Although they can live up to 20 years, Savannah cats are susceptible to heart muscle disease. It’s recommended to monitor their diet and provide taurine supplements.
BALINESE
The Balinese cat is a breed suitable for any age as it can easily get along with everyone. They are lovely companions for 12-20 years, especially due to their talkative and fun-loving personalities. Balinese cats don’t mind sharing the house with other pets because they can befriend them, even if it’s a dog. The affectionate feline can live up to twenty years with a proper care routine, including their dietary and sanitary needs. However, you must be aware that they can be vulnerable to amyloidosis, asthma, retinal atrophy, hyperesthesia, lymphoma, and heart defects.
RUSSIAN BLUE
If you have a demanding career but still need companions at home, the Russian Blue cat is the perfect breed for you. They are smart, independent, and loyal, which you’ll love for 15 to 20 years. The Russian Blue cat is shy at first, but once you break their walls, they’ll be the most affectionate fur baby you’ll ever have. They do well in routines, and changes in their daily life can stress them out. One of their daily routines might include welcoming you at the front door after returning home from work. Russian Blue cats are shy, but they are the sweetest. To ensure life longevity, you must talk with your vet about their vulnerability to bladder and eye issues.
BOMBAY
You’ll have a loving companion for the next 12 to 16 years if you choose to adopt a Bombay cat. Their majestic black shiny coat can make it feel like you’re living with a small panther. Although they seem aloof, Bombay cats are actually friendly breeds and clingy with their humans. You won’t have to worry about having guests at home of any age, because they’ll mingle as well. Since Bombay cats prefer companions rather than alone time, they don’t thrive well with an owner with a hectic work schedule. They feel lonely being alone, which might affect their health.
SPHYNX
Their feisty appearance is as strong as their ability to survive up to 10 years. With proper health care and a balanced diet, a Sphynx can avoid heart complications. Also, they are interesting breeds with lovely traits such as friendliness, intelligence, and outgoing behavior. But you have a lot to consider before adopting a Sphynx. Due to lack of fur, they are high-maintenance breeds. They can also trigger allergies because of skin cell shedding and saliva drops. Most importantly, their skin tends to get oily and may stain clothing and furniture. Better do your research, because your home might not be suitable for a Sphynx cat.
SIAMESE
With a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, you can surely create memories for a long time with a Siamese cat. They are prone to respiratory issues, but with efficient care and regular vet visits, you can prevent those from happening. Siamese cats are lap felines that love to be cuddled by their humans. They are devoted to their owners — you won’t have an issue with being ignored by them. It’s also important to remember a Siamese is an intelligent cat, so it’ll need cognitive activities for stimulation. As for their physical health, monitoring their diet is vital and ensures they receive the proper nutrients. Providing them with sufficient attention can aid in keeping them healthy until old age.
These breeds are undoubtedly all adoption-worthy, but before taking one home, think about the possible drawbacks. Will you be able to commit to a lifetime responsibility of having a breed with a long lifespan? You have to ensure that you’ll be able to commit, and not only because they are adorable to have around. Felines deserve a forever home. It’s best to assess your lifestyle and living arrangements before adopting one of the breeds from the list above. Hopefully, the article could help you choose the right cat to spend the next 10 to 20 years of your life with.
