How Long Do Indoor Persian Cats Live?

How Long Do Indoor Persian Cats Live?
Are you looking to get a Persian Cat? Persian cats make perfect pets for older adults because of their friendly nature and their laid-back personalities. But how long can you expect your new buddy to live?

Persian cats can live up to 20 years or more if they live indoors. Outdoor Persian cats live fewer years due to the dangers that cats in general face while living outside. A Persian cat doesn’t have many health issues, and any issues that arise are bred out in the next generation.

A Persian cat can be a beautiful addition to your home. Stay tuned for more about this beautiful breed.

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Persian Cats Live Up to 20 Years

Despite being purebred, Persian cats are surprisingly free from genetic defects. They are, however, prone to developing polycystic kidney disease, at least in the past. Recent breeding developments have eliminated that gene from future generations, and it is rare for Persians to develop the disease.

Because they are relatively healthy, Persian cats can live up to 20 years, with an average lifespan between 15 and 18. A diet of both wet and dry food, along with cool water, will help keep your Persian cat healthy for many years. Regular vet visits will also help screen for illnesses and diseases, which, when caught early, can be treated quickly.

Factors that contribute to their longer lifespans include:

Brush their long coats frequently.
Keep their litter box clean, or they will not use it. This can create several infections and illnesses if they don’t use the litter box often.
Keep your Persian indoors.
Wipe their eyes often, as they tend to tear up constantly.
Take them to the vet for regular visits to screen for any illnesses or diseases.
Keep your cat vaccinated against the flu, as they lack the defensive layer in their noses to keep bacteria out.

Persians that are cared for properly will live longer lives.

How Old Is the Oldest Persian Cat?

There is no official record of the oldest living Persian, but according to several forums, the oldest living Persian cat is around 19 years old. But Persians don’t live as long as some purebred cats, such as the Burmese or Rag-doll cats, who can live up to 25 years.

Persian cats can live up to 20 years if they have a good diet, get plenty of exercise, and are kept indoors full-time, where you can monitor their diet.

What Cat Holds the Record As the Longest Living Persian Cat?

While a domestic short-hair cat named Creme Puff holds the all-time lifespan record at 38 years and three days, again, there is no record for a Persian cat that’s lived the longest. Other breeds, such as the Burmese and Siamese, have been known to live up to 30 years.

Environment and Food Quality Are Factors That Influence Their Life Spans

As with all domesticated cats, when they live indoors instead of outdoors, they live longer due to several factors.

One, there are several predators outdoors that are unfriendly to cats, including humans. Humans sometimes have negative intentions towards cats and will kill them. Other times, cats are accidentally run over on the road. Most times, however, cats are killed by other larger animals.
Two, cats will, at one time or another, eat a smaller animal like a mouse or rat that has eaten poison. That will then transfer to the cat, and it will likely die. When kept inside, your Persian cat’s diet can be closely monitored for optimum health.
Three, the colder weather is often a factor in whether outdoor cats survive or not. If cats don’t have somewhere warm to go, they could freeze to death. Just because Persian cats have long fur does not mean that they stay warmer in the winter.

Your Persian cat should be kept inside for another, more obvious reason–their fur. They have very long and luxurious fur that needs to be groomed daily. This is not just for appearance purposes. Other things can get in their fur that can cause disease and infections that must be brushed out.

Their life spans depend on these factors, and if they have a healthy environment, they should live upwards of 20 years.

Persians Are Generally Healthy

Persian cats can live up to 20 years because they don’t have many genetic health issues and are not prone to diseases or infections. With proper veterinarian and nutritional care, your Persian cat should live most of its life in good health.

Preventative Breeding Helps Cats Live Longer

Persian cat breeders frequently look for ways to improve the genetic issues that make Persian cats die young, including polycystic kidney disease, as mentioned earlier. Breeders will eliminate those markers in the Persian’s DNA in an attempt to lengthen their lifespans.

How to Care for Your Persian

Persian cats are known for their laziness and lack of intelligence. To keep your kitty active, try getting some active toys that stimulate their curiosity and playfulness, such as a laser pointer or crinkle cat toys that smell like catnip.

They require a well-balanced diet with a mix of wet and dry food to get the minerals they need for good health.

Many Persian cats have issues with their tear ducts that make tears come from their eyes frequently. You will need to wipe them under their eyes often to prevent irritation to your cat. While you’re wiping your cat’s eyes and face, you can move directly into brushing your cat’s long fur to remove any tangles or matted fur.

Encourage your cat to drink enough water with a cat water fountain that dispenses water constantly, which keeps it fresh.

Specific Illnesses to Watch for in a Persian Cat

Persians have flattened faces like the Pug dog breed, but they don’t carry the same genetic problems that Pugs do, such as breathing issues. But they do tend to develop an eye condition known as “Cherry Eye,” in which the third eyelid from the inside of the corner of the eye shifts out of its normal position, becoming swollen and inflamed.

They also have dental issues due to how their teeth are pushed together in their mouths. Their flat faces contribute to this issue.

Other issues to watch for include, but are not limited to:

Bladder infections or stones, which is a painful condition
Difficult labors in pregnant cats
Ringworm or other fungal infections
They are sensitive to heat, but they are similar to other cat breeds in that they still need to be inside from the cold
A skin condition that causes them to lose fur and have itchy or red skin

If your cat displays any of these issues, contact your vet for advice on what to do for your feline buddy. Your vet might recommend that you bring your cat in for a checkup, as your cat might have an infection or illness that could be fatal.

Conclusion

If you have a Persian cat, then you know how rewarding they can be, as they are very affectionate.

Persian cats originated in Persia, which is now Iran, 1,600 years ago, and have become a very popular breed since then. The long fur has made them movie stars, royal pets, and the subject of many books and stories.

Since they are relatively healthy cats, they can have a good quality of life for many years. Unfortunately, some Persian cats don’t live as long because they contract a fatal illness that cannot be treated.

Sources

Pam Turner

Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.