Lifespan and health
The average lifespan of pet cats has risen in recent decades. In the early 1980s, it was about seven years,[154]:33[155] rising to 9.4 years in 1995[154]:33 and 15.1 years in 2018.[156] Some cats have been reported as surviving into their 30s,[157] with the oldest known cat, Creme Puff, dying at a verified age of 38.[158]
Spaying or neutering increases life expectancy: one study found neutered male cats live twice as long as intact males, while spayed female cats live 62% longer than intact females.[154]:35 Having a cat neutered confers health benefits, because castrated males cannot develop testicular cancer, spayed females cannot develop uterine or ovarian cancer, and both have a reduced risk of mammary cancer.[159]
Despite widespread concern about the welfare of free-roaming cats, the lifespans of neutered feral cats in managed colonies compare favorably with those of pet cats.[160]:45[161]:1358[162][163][164][165]
Disease
About 250 heritable genetic disorders have been identified in cats, many similar to human Inborn error of metabolism.[166] The high level of similarity among the metabolism of mammals allows many of these feline diseases to be diagnosed using genetic tests that were originally developed for use in humans, as well as the use of cats as animal models in the study of the human diseases.[167][168] Diseases affecting domestic cats include acute infections, parasitic infestations, injuries, and chronic diseases such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, and arthritis. Vaccinations are available for many infectious diseases, as are treatments to eliminate parasites such as worms and fleas.[169]