Lifespans of some purebred and random-bred domestic cats UK (some startling stats)

A study (2017) discussed the differences in health and longevity between purebred and random-bred (also known as crossbred) domestic cats. It mentions that purebred dogs have been extensively studied and have wide variation in longevity and common diseases across breeds. In contrast, pet cats have been less altered from their wild ancestors and have not been as extensively studied.

Data from referral sources and insurance records have been used to study the health of cats, but both have limitations. THERE ARE MORE ARTICLES ON LIFESPAN AT THE BASE OF THE ARTICLE.

It also mentions the VetCompass program in the UK, which collects clinical record data from primary care veterinary practices and has found that the median overall longevity for domestic cats is greater than for purebred cats. However, there are some purebred cat breeds that have longer lifespans than domestic cats.

I have decided to publish an article based on this study but I’m unsure of some of the findings of the study. There is one remarkable statistic which does not ring true to me (but I could be wrong) which is that they concluded that the average lifespan of the Bengal cat is 7.3 years. At first sight this looks implausible to me. However, they say that, overall, the data comes from 4,009 deceased cat randomly selected from all deaths concerning 118,016 cats attending 90 veterinary practices in England, UK.

Lifespan of selected purebred cats UK
Lifespan of selected purebred cats UK. Study results. See base of page for credits.

So, the information comes from a very wide base which makes it credible. I’m a little confused by that. Another interesting, and you might argue disturbing statistic, is that the average lifespan of an Abyssinian cat is 10 years. The Maine Coon cat, on average, will live to 11-years-of-age (is this due to inbreeding depression?)

The image below showed you some more life spans. They are somewhat shocking to me because although I know, as do other people, that the expected lifespan of a purebred cat is going to be shorter than that of a random-bread cat due to inbreeding depression, I didn’t expect the difference to be so stark concerning some breeds.

They mention the Birman with an average lifespan of 16.1 years. Is it credible to argue that the Birman has an expected lifespan which is more than twice that of the Bengal cat? Perhaps it is. But perhaps they gathered the data from very few Birmans and Bengals which distorted the results. I don’t know.

Is the study saying that inherited diseases in cat breeds such as the Bengal and Maine Coon causes such dramatically shortening lifespans? I have a feeling that in both these instances the shortened lifespans are due to hypertrophic homeopathy (HCM) which is a killer heart disease. Both the Bengal and Maine Coon are known recipients of this genetically inherited disease.

The study found that the most common causes of death in cats over five years of age were kidney disease (13.6%) and cancer (12.3%) and for those under five years of age it was trauma (47.3%) and viral infection (6.6%). The study is dated 2017.

Common cause of death in domestic cats both random and purebred in the UK
Common cause of death in domestic cats both random and purebred in the UK (2017). See base of page for credits.

The notable statistic is the very high percentage of cats being killed by trauma at 47.3%. This is the UK and this must be due to the fact that the default position in the UK is to allow domestic cats to go outside unsupervised through a cat flap. And it is outside where they are injured. That is my assessment.

Overall, in the UK, the most common cause of death in domestic cats – that is both purebred and non-purebred – is trauma. The chart below shows you the other diseases and percentages.

As I understand it, the study was funded and promoted by the Royal Veterinary Collage, MediVet, VetCompass and the RSPCA.

Here is a scientific table on lifespans which may interest some readers. FYI ‘IQR’ is an acronym for interquartile range, a measure of statistical dispersion.

Breed

Median (years)

IQR

Range

Birman

16.1

8.1–16. 9

1.0–20.7

Burmese

14.3

10.0–17.0

0.7–20.7

Siamese

14.2

10.8–19.0

0.9–21.1

Persian

14.1

12.0–17.0

0.0–21.2

Crossbred

14.0

9.2–17.0

0.0–26.7

British Shorthair

11 .8

5.8–16.3

0.0–21.0

Maine Coon

11.0

4.0–15.5

0.2–19.0

Ragdoll

10.1

0.9–14.8

0.1–17.9

Abyssinian

10.0

1.1–18.1

1.0–20.8

Bengal

7.3

2.2–11.5

0.6–13.7

Below are some more articles on ‘lifespan’.

2 thoughts on “Lifespans of some purebred and random-bred domestic cats UK (some startling stats)”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. Thanks Sue Ann. Yes, I am aware of these disease. I am just focusing on the study findings. My late female cat died of kidney disease. It is a big killer. The big issue though is why? Why do so many domestic cats die of kidney failure? Can you comment on that!? It would be useful. It might be due to the prevalence of dry cat food nowadays. Do non-TNR feral cats die of kidney disease as often as domestic cats?

  3. You left out diabetes as a high cause of death in cats. Most senior cats succumb to either diabetes or kidney disease as they age. My sibling cats lived to 17 & 18 years but one Baggy, Female DMH, died at 18 from kidney disease, Samwise, Male DMH, 17 due to diabetes as an underlying cause. Saddle Thrombosis got him before the diabetes.

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