Along the lines of humans, female domestic cats live longer than male domestic cats according to a very comprehensive UK study from an available population of 1.25 million cats under veterinary care across six veterinary groups during 2019-2021 (published May 7, 2024). The study is about lifespan (which I have discussed in another article) but contains a lot of other ancillary information which is very useful. The study citation is at the base of the article.
The study found that the life expectancy of female cats was 12.51 years and that they had a 1.33-years longer life expectancy than male cats which had a life expectancy of 11.18 years. These lifespans are from birth (the age of zero).
The study looked at both purebred and crossbred cats. Another interesting statistic from the study is that the “mechanism of death for most cats with euthanasia (83.7%). An “unassisted death” occurred in 12.4% of the cats and for 3.9% of the cats there were no records.
Comment: we have to do look at the reasons why female domestic cats live longer than male domestic cats.
Possible reasons why females live longer
One reason might be that female cats are more likely to be taken to a veterinarian. Why is that? My research indicates that because a significant number of domestic cats are not sterilised (see data below), female cats experience heat cycles and during this time they exhibit changes in their behaviour.
Owners often seek veterinary advice to manage these behaviours. Along the same lines, female cats require prenatal care during pregnancy and assistance during labour. It would appear the main reason is a failure to sterilise female cats and seeking the advice of a veterinarian when they exhibit heat cycles and pregnancy.
Another influence might be genetics. Some genes related to longevity are sex-linked. Hormonal differences influence health. Female cats experience hormonal changes during heat cycles and pregnancy which may affect their overall well-being (positively?).
And research suggests that female cats tend to have a more robust immune response probably because of their sex hormones.
Against a male cat’s lifespan is the fact that they are often more adventurous and prone to risky behaviour. They may roam further and fight with other cats. They might encounter accidents or injuries.
Male cats are more territorial than female cats. They have a larger home ranges. They may engage in fights over territory or mates when unsterilised. A significant number of male and female cats are unsterilised as mentioned (see below).
Also, male cats might experience stress due to competition with other males. This would apparently referred to unsterilised male cats.
The study found that 73.2% of male cats were recorded as neutered and 70.6% of female cats were recorded as spayed.
Comment: I am surprised at the low number of cats sterilised in the UK. The data indicates that around 30% of domestic cats in the UK are unsterilised which might surprise people.
Citation: Teng KT, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, O’Neill DG. Life tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for mortality in cats in the UK. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2024;26(5). doi:10.1177/1098612X241234556
