08.07.2022

Average Persian cat lifespan and factors that can affect it

If you share your home with a Persian cat, you’re aware of the immense pleasure these felines bring to your life. To keep them around for as long as possible, you should learn about the average Persian cat's lifespan, common health problems, and care requirements. 

Untamed presents all the factors affecting your Persian's longevity and offers handy tips to ensure your kitty lives a long and happy life. 

How long do Persian cats live?

Well-cared-for Persian cats typically live between 12 and 18 years, but some kitties surpass this age. The average is around 14 years, but there is no definitive answer because numerous factors impact a feline's life expectancy, from the genetic predisposition to lifestyle. 

Factors impacting a Persian cat's life expectancy

There is a valid reason why a feline's lifespan is a range rather than a specific number of years. You can influence some crucial factors while others are, sadly, out of your control. 

These influences can be sorted into two groups:

1. Health
2. Lifestyle and care

Persian cat health problems

It’s just sniffles. I'll be fine tomorrow.

Source: Sergey Semin

According to a study conducted by Royal Veterinary College (RVC), 64.9% of Persian cats have at least one health problem. The fact doesn't sound promising, but it doesn't mean these felines are generally unhealthy.

The most common disorders include:

1. Dental problems
2. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
3. Urinary tract problems
4. Kidney disease

Dental problems

Their small and flattened faces make Persians recognisable but also cause frequent dental and eye problems. 

Teeth and gum issues are not life-threatening, but they lead to infections and other problems that can damage their overall health and affect your Persian cat's life expectancy. Pain caused by infections often makes felines reluctant to eat, potentially leading to weight loss, lethargy, and worsening of other existing health conditions. 

Thankfully, these problems are easy to avoid with proper dental hygiene. Start brushing your Persian cat's teeth early in kittenhood, and do it as often as possible. These felines are relaxed and calm, so they should quickly accept the routine. 

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)

Many Persians suffer from BOAS because of their brachycephalic head shape. Flattened faces often affect these cats' ability to breathe normally, which can lead to other problems like sensitivity to anaesthesia. Given that anaesthesia slows the breathing, it can be fatal to felines already struggling with breathing difficulties. Surgeries and other procedures may be almost impossible to perform safely. 

This syndrome also makes many Persians more susceptible to heat stroke and exhaustion, so keep your home air-conditioned during summer and never leave your kitty outside too long when it's hot. 

Urinary tract problems

All felines can develop urinary tract diseases, but Persian cats seem to be prone to numerous problems related to the urinary system. Some can be genetic, while others come from infections, including:

• Struvite crystals
• Pyelonephritis
• Cystitis
• Urethritis

Keeping your Persian hydrated can help prevent these diseases or stop their progression. Felines don’t drink enough water because they are used to getting all the necessary moisture from the prey they would catch in the wild. You should feed them high-quality wet food and encourage them to drink more water. Jelly or gravy meals have a higher moisture content (over 70%) than dry food (about 10%), which keeps a feline's urine less concentrated and prevents bladder stones and infections. 

Kidney disease

According to the study of demography, mortality, and disorders of Persian cats in the UK, renal disease is among the leading causes of mortality in these fluffy kitties. Around 23% die from renal failure, while only 8% die from cancer.

There usually isn't much you can do to prevent this problem, but you can manage it effectively by:

• Increasing your kitty's moisture intake
• Keeping them at a healthy weight
• Scheduling regular vet visits

Lifestyle and care factors affecting your Persian cat's longevity

Care and lifestyle can significantly affect your Persian’s lifespan and overall happiness. 

The most important factors include:

1. Sterilisation status
2. Indoor life
3. Exercise
4. Grooming
5. Diet

Sterilisation status

Spaying or neutering prevents testicular cancer in males and ovarian cancers in females of all cat breeds. It also reduces the chances of breast cancer considerably. Besides that, it appears that sterilisation doesn't affect Persian cats' life expectancy. 

The study mentioned above shows no difference in the lifespan of Persians based on their sterilisation status. Still, given that testicular and ovarian tumours are prevalent in unsterilised felines, it is safe to say that spaying and neutering can prolong their life. 

Indoor life

Don’t believe all you see. This outing was for photography purposes only. 

Source: Reba Spike

Indoor cats generally tend to live longer than outdoor cats because they’re not exposed to dangers such as:

• Germs
• Parasites
• Traffic
• Other animals

Persian cats are generally better suited for indoor life, especially in warmer climates, because of their sensitivity to heat. You can allow them to go outside, but they must be under constant supervision. You can also create an enclosed space in your garden where they can safely play and relax.

Exercise

Active and fit felines generally live longer. Since Persian cats aren't particularly playful by nature, you should ensure they get enough exercise. If you allow them to spend the entire day lying around, they can become obese, which leads to a weakened immune system and health problems, such as:

• Diabetes and other metabolic disorders
• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Bladder stones

Since Persians already have breathing difficulties and low heat tolerance, extra weight can only make it more difficult for them to stay healthy. 

Besides controlling their portions, encourage your kitty to play. A push in the right direction would be getting:

• Plenty of interactive toys for them to play with independently
• A cat tree to climb
• A scratching post with dangling toys to stretch and keep their claws and joints healthy

Grooming

You may think that grooming has little to do with a feline's lifespan, but it does in several ways. It will allow you to:

• Detect skin problems—Grooming sessions allow you to inspect your kitty for skin and coat issues caused by parasites, fungal or yeast infections, and allergic conditions
• Reduce hairball frequency—Persians are long-haired felines who require regular brushing to keep their coat pretty and reduce hairballs. Hairballs can be dangerous if they get too large to pass through your kitty's intestinal tract or oesophagus
• Prevent eye problems—The brachycephalic head shape makes Persians prone to various eye problems, so daily eye cleaning is a must. Eye issues don't directly affect your feline's life expectancy, but neglecting them impacts their quality of life

Diet

As always, I’m ready and willing to eat whatever you serve me, as long as it’s delicious and exactly what I want.

Source: Lina Angelov

Your cat's diet plays a vital role in their overall health and well-being. High-quality, well-balanced wet food will ensure your Persian gets:

• Enough moisture to prevent urinary tract diseases
• Necessary vitamins and minerals to support biological functions, such as enzyme formation, nutrient utilisation, and oxygen transportation
• High amounts of animal protein to ingest essential amino acids (such as taurine, arginine, and lysine) required for normal organ function, strong muscles, and energy
• Moderate amounts of fat to receive beneficial fatty acids, ensure healthy skin and coat, strong immune system, and cellular integrity, and provide delicious taste even fussy felines can't resist
• Little or no carbs to ensure your feline doesn't gain weight or suffer from digestive problems, including diarrhoea, indigestion, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, etc. 

How can Untamed help keep your Persian cat healthy?

Untamed ticks all the boxes when it comes to a balanced feline diet. 

Check out what your Persian gets with every Untamed tin:

Take our quiz and create a tailor-made meal plan for your Persian cat. Order Untamed online and see your kitty thrive for years to come!

How to order Untamed

A perfect meal pack can be at your doorstep in a day!

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed’s delicious meals are all about your feline friend's needs. Our ordering process also enables a pleasant shopping experience for you.

What you need to do is:

1. Visit the Try Now page and provide some details about your Persian cat
2. Choose the meals that fit your kitty's preferences
3. Place the order

The trial pack will arrive right at your doorstep in a day, and once your kitty samples all the delicacies, we can restock your supply every month. 

Besides the seamless ordering process, we guarantee:

• Free shipping
• Easy cancellation
• Option to postpone or change your order

How does Untamed impact your Persian cat's life expectancy?

Many cat parents reported the following improvements soon after their felines made a switch to Untamed. 

Here is what they say you can expect: