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14 Longest Living Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

Kathryn Copeland

By Kathryn Copeland

Seal Point Siamese Domestic Cat

There’s no question that we want our beloved felines to stay with us for as long as possible. Cat owners are actually lucky because for the most part, cats tend to live longer than dogs.

It’s also possible for a cat to live even beyond expectations! Creme Puff from Texas lived until she was 38 years and 3 days old!

While genetics and health have a significant impact on how long a cat lives, there are a few breeds that tend to live longer on average than other breeds.

Here, we look at these long-lived cat breeds — maybe you’ll be inspired to bring one of these cats home with you.

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The 14 Longest-Living Cat Breeds

1. American Shorthair Cat

Torbie american shorthair
Image Credit: Bruno Passigatti, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 20 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Easy-going, affectionate, friendly

American Shorthairs come in all colors and patterns but are most well-known as tabbies. They are medium-sized cats that are loving and people-oriented and enjoy being part of a busy household.

They are also curious and smart cats, and that inquisitive nature can sometimes get them into trouble. They are active and playful but would probably prefer cuddling with their loved ones more than anything else.

The American Shorthair is quite a robust cat, and they don’t have any known hereditary or genetic health conditions. But this doesn’t mean they won’t end up with serious issues, so regular visits to the vet are always recommended.


2. Balinese Cat

Balinese Cat Sitting On A Cherry Tree
Image Credit: Fazlyeva Kamilla, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 18 – 22 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Curious, affectionate, chatty

Balinese cats look like shaggy Siamese. They have a plumed tail and come in most colorpoint colors. They are medium in size and are chatty cats, like most of the breeds in the Siamese breed group.

Balinese are loving cats that will bond quite strongly with their families and even other pets! They adore being the center of attention and will follow you around the house and sit next to you quite often.

This breed is susceptible to amyloidosis (protein deposits in the liver), and they can be sensitive to anesthesia but are otherwise a healthy breed.


3. Bombay Cat

bombay cat sitting on grass outdoor
Image Credit: Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15–18 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: People-oriented, social, loving

Bombays are compact, medium-sized cats with short black fur and yellow or orange eyes. They are tremendously social cats and enjoy spending time with their families. If you’re looking for a lap cat, you can’t go wrong with a Bombay.

Bombay cats are intelligent and playful and will enjoy learning tricks from you. They need toys and cat trees to keep them active and busy, and they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods.

While Bombays are a healthy breed, they are prone to heart disease, though good breeders always screen for this genetic issue.


4. Burmese Cat

Brown Burmese cat in the garden
Image Credit: jojosmb, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 20 years
Size: Medium to large
Temperament: People-oriented, sweet, intelligent

Burmese have short, satiny coats that come in a wide range of solid colors and tortoiseshell. They are chatty, social, people-oriented cats that will feel lonely if left alone for too long.

They are also tolerant and quite playful, so they will do well in families with children. Burmese are intelligent and can be taught tricks, but they need plenty of attention.

Like with most other cats, the Burmese can be prone to heart disease but are a generally healthy breed. The oldest Burmese was Kataleena Lady, who lived until she was 27 years old!


5. Egyptian Mau Cat

Egyptian Mau cat in gray background
Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 12 – 20 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Gentle, shy, devoted

Egyptian Maus are medium in size, with short coats of bronze, smoke, or silver fur with black spots. They all have green eyes and are loyal and gentle cats. They do best in quiet households because they are shy and easily startled, but they do well with children and other cats.

They are quite active and athletic and are considered among the fastest of cats, but they also enjoy a good snuggle on your lap.

Egyptian Maus are prone to urinary tract crystals and pyruvate kinase deficiency but are a healthy breed otherwise.


6. Maine Coon Cat

a tabby maine coon cat at home
Image Credit: Daniel Zopf, Unsplash
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Size: Large-sized
Temperament: Gentle, smart, good-natured

Maine Coons are a breed famous for their large size, luxuriously thick fur, and tufted ears. They come in all manner of colors except pointed but are most known for the tabby pattern.

This breed is among the gentlest of cats and is loving and good-natured. They love spending time with their families but aren’t always lap cats. They can be quite active and playful and can go for walks on a leash and harness.

Maine Coons are tested for heart disease, but they could be prone to joint problems like hip and kneecap dysplasia because of their large size. That said, Rubble, the oldest Maine Coon, reached 32 years of age!


7. Manx Cat

manx cat on bench
Image Credit: rokopix, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 18 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Calm, sweet, friendly

Manx cats are medium-sized with a stocky build. They are usually born without tails and are shorthaired, with fur that comes in almost any color or pattern.

They are affectionate and calm cats and prefer to have their family with them most of the time. While they are gentle, they are also playful and active and seem to always get into everything.

However, the genetics that makes them tailless can make them more prone to certain health conditions.


8. Oriental Shorthair Cat

Ebony Oriental Shorthair in the grass
Image Credit: jojosmb, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 12 – 15+ years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Chatty, loving, intelligent

Oriental Shorthair cats are slender, medium-sized cats that unlike the rest of the breeds in the Siamese breed group, come in almost any color or pattern.

They make wonderful companions and will chat with you about their day while following you around the house. They form close bonds with their families and enjoy a good cuddle on your lap.

Oriental Shorthairs are in the same breed group as the Balinese, so they are known to live long lives but have the same predisposition to amyloidosis and are also sensitive to anesthesia.


9. Persian Cat

white himalayan persian cat laying on chair hepper

Lifespan: 15 – 20 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, sweet-natured

Persian cats might be medium-sized, but they tend to look much bigger due to the massive amount of fur that they have! They come in multiple colors, and many cats of this breed have flat faces and large, round eyes.

They do better in a quiet household because they are quiet and gentle cats. They are not that active and prefer to hang out on your lap most of the day.

This breed can have various health conditions, such as polycystic kidney disease, progressive retinal atrophy (eye problems), and breathing issues. But the oldest Persian was Minky, who lived to be 27 years of age.


10. Ragdoll Cat

ragdoll cat in a park looking off to the side
Image Credit: Aaron Zimmermann, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 13 – 18 years
Size: Large-sized
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, calm

Ragdolls are large cats with lovely coats that come in pointed colors. They are known for being floppy in your arms when relaxed, which is where they got their name.

They are quiet and loving cats that are quite tolerant of children and other pets, and they have friendly dispositions. They enjoy a good play session, which needs to be encouraged, or they could become overweight.

Beyond the always possible heart disease issue that most cats are susceptible to, Ragdolls are a generally healthy breed.


11. Russian Blue Cat

russian blue cat outside its box
Image Credit: milivigerova, Pixabay
Lifespan: 15 – 20 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Sweet, loyal, affectionate

Russian Blues only come in a blue-gray color with short, dense coats that make for easy grooming. They tend to be rather talkative and aren’t that adaptable to change.

They can be somewhat wary of strangers but are incredibly loyal and affectionate with their families. They are friendly and quite intelligent and might even try to spend time on your shoulder.

This breed has no known genetic health conditions, and they are quite long-lived. It’s not too rare for Russian Blues to make it to 25 years of age.


12. Savannah Cat

savannah cat sitting on couch
Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 20+ years
Size: Medium to large-sized
Temperament: Active, intelligent, independent

Savannahs are striking cats that range from medium to large in size and sport a spotted coat that can come in many different colors. They are lanky and long cats that are high-energy and curious, so they might get bored easily.

Savannahs are prone to getting into mischief because of their inquisitive natures, but they are loyal and friendly cats that bond strongly with their families. While they enjoy spending time with their humans, they are not lap cats.

Savannahs are robust and healthy cats but need to be screened for heart disease, pyruvate kinase deficiency, and progressive retinal atrophy.


13. Siamese Cat

siamese cat sitting on the floor
Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 20+ years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Vocal, social, affectionate

Siamese cats are among the longest-living cats out there. These are vocal cats, but they are also active, affectionate, and friendly. They will demand your attention and enjoy curling up in warm laps. They love playing and will entertain you with their antics.

Siamese are healthy cats, but like the other breeds that are a part of their breed group, they are also prone to amyloidosis and are sensitive to anesthesia. However, one of the oldest Siamese was Scooter, who lived to be 30!


14. Sphynx Cat

sphynx cat
Image By: Igor Lukin, Pixabay
Lifespan: 15 – 20 years
Size: Medium-sized
Temperament: Outgoing, curious, friendly

Sphynx cats are well known for their unique appearance: their large ears and of course, having peach fuzz instead of fur. Surprisingly, they require more grooming and care than most cats with fur.

These cats are inquisitive, intelligent, friendly, energetic, and active. They are quite dependent on their families and have earned the nickname, “Velcro lap cat,” for this reason.

Beyond the screening for heart disease and the special care that they need for their unique coats, they are a healthy breed. One of the oldest cats on record is a Sphynx named Grandpa Rex, who lived to be 34!

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Final Thoughts

Certain cat breeds can live longer than others. But it should be noted that Crème Puff, the oldest cat, was a mixed tabby. In the long run, it’s partly about genetics and predispositions to certain health conditions and partly how well you take care of them.

The average lifespan of a cat tends to sit around 15 years for most cats, but with plenty of love and care, hopefully, your cat can live much longer.

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Featured Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

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