Which cat breeds live the longest?

Living and health conditions play a decisive role in a cat's longevity. Photo: AFP

Cats are often said to have nine lives, but that doesn’t mean they’re immortal. Researchers at Britain’s Royal Veterinary College and the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan have studied the life expectancy of these small felines. They found that some breeds stand the test of time better than others.

The academics analysed data from several British veterinary practices on 7,936 cats who died between 2019 and 2021. It emerged that cats have an average life expectancy of 11.7 years. Females tend to live longer than males, with a lifespan of 12.5 years versus 11.2 years.