If you’re preparing to adopt one a Raggie, you’ll certainly have the question, “But, how long do Ragdolls cats live?”, on your mind.
If you’re truly a responsible pet owner, you’ll want to have a realistic idea of how long you can expect your cat to live.
Why Is It Important to Know How Long My Ragdoll Will Live?
Financial – Are you prepared to spend a significant amount of money on your Raggie? Providing top notch health care and a good life for a cat can be expensive. Quality food, vet bills, preventative health care including supplements, cat carriers, toys, cat condos and furniture. Believe me, it all adds up.
Lifestyle – If your cat lives for 15 years or more, will your lifestyle still allow for a cat? Will you be downsizing in a few years and considering apartment living where no cats are allowed? Do consider your personal situation for the next 15 years or so.
Factors Influencing the Lifespan of a Cat
The average lifespan of a cat is affected by many things. Some of these factors we can control. Some we can’t.
But much like with humans, what we do with what we’ve got (HOW we live our life and our choices), far outweighs and influences the outcome, than the genetics we were born with.
I believe the same is true with cats.
There hasn’t been a ton of research done on this topic. My reading, research and especially my own personal experiences with cats for several decades, has led me to believe that these factors influence (to varying degrees), how long a cat will live.
- Diet
- Genetics
- Lifestyle
- Indoor vs. outdoor living
- Neutered or spayed – Altered cats are less susceptible to certain diseases.
- The breed
- Level of health care
- Vaccinated or not vaccinated (Over vaccination can be a serious issue for a kidney cat)
- Flea control – are harmful chemicals used?
Related >Why You Should Consider Holistic Veterinary Care For Your Ragdoll Cat
How Long SHOULD a Cat Be Expected To Live?
I believe that the average cat life span of 13 years of age, as quoted above is low and should ideally be longer.
Yes, cats are living longer now than they did 30-40 years ago. However, I think 13 years of age still represents a short life for a cat.
There are several things you can do for your cat, to add years to his life.
Related >How to Add Precious Years to the Life of Your Ragdoll Cat
Average Ragdoll Cat Lifespan
The answer to this question is not as accurate as you may hope. In fact, you’ll find quite a broad range of answers, if you research the topic.
Just as there’s a broad range of articles about the average lifespan of the domestic house cat, the same goes for the average Ragdoll cat lifespan.
The lifespan range you may expect from a Ragdoll cat ranges anywhere from about 12 years up to 23 years of age.
- Oldest cat on record – 38 years of age
- Cats living between 20-25 years of age is not unheard of. Awesomeness.:)
- Average cat life – About 13 years of age.
- Mickey – My childhood cat – Lived to 24 years of age.
Ages of my Ragdoll cats which passed a few years ago (Brother and sister):
- MacIntosh, Blue Pointed Male, 16.8 years of age
- Bailey, Seal Mitted Female, 17.5 years of age.
- ZeeZee & Duffy, My present Raggies are young, about 1.5 years of age
So if you consider that 14-16 years of age is the average lifespan of a healthy Ragdoll, then my team lived longer than the average Ragdoll cat.
I believe it’s safe to safe to say that life expectancy for a Ragdoll cat is longer than the average domestic cat.
Expect to have your Ragdoll cat around for a long time.
More Ragdoll Cat Articles You May Like
- What You Need to Know About Ragdoll Cat Weight
- The Importance of Establishing Routines For Your Ragdoll Cat
- Ragdoll Cat Characteristics – 10 Reasons I Fell in Love with the Ragdoll Breed
- Are Two Ragdoll Cats Are Better Than One? THAT Is the Question!
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