Many new cat owners wonder how long do cats live. Several factors affect how long a cat will live. Barring any accident or illness, indoor cats can live to be up to twenty-one years old.

If the cat is allowed to spend time outdoors without confinement or supervision, the cat lifespan is often drastically decreased. Pat cats who roam outdoors are susceptible to accidents such as being struck by a car, disease contracted from other cats, and poisoning which is usually accidental.The hazards of being outdoors all the time drastically affects the lifespan of stray cats and feral cats. A large percentage of stray and feral cats only live a few years due to these dangers and starvation.Many experts agree that the best way to help a cat live a long ways is to keep it indoors. There may be other ways to increase the cat’s lifespan as well.Cat owners can take on certain responsibilities to help the cat live a long life. One thing a cat owner can do is to give the cat a healthy diet.Excess food can be detrimental to a cat by causing obesity. The some cat illnesses such as diabetes mellitus and arthritis can be partially caused by cat obesity.Exercise in the form of active play is something that should be encouraged by the cat owner. Older cats are often less inclined to engage in active play on their own. Therefore, the cat owners should play with the cat and encourage active play.Some supplemental nutrition products including in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins are marketed as ways to keep cat healthy and help them live longer. Cat owners should consult a veterinarian before giving their cats vitamins and nutritional supplements.Some factors that affect the lifespan of the cat are not within the cat owner’s control such as cat diseases which often have genetic causes. Regular veterinary exams can help the cat live longer since the veterinarian can screen for cat diseases and may notice symptoms that the cat owner may miss. Since treating a disease early is the best way to avoid negative effects from the disease, regular veterinary checkups are crucial to protect the health the cat.