Sphynx cats do not live as long as other domestic cats, according to a new study.
Earlier this week, researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan published a paper in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgerywho found that a breed of cat lives an average of 6.7 years after a kitten’s first year of life.
Burmese and Burmese cats have the highest life expectancy after the first year of life (14.4 years), followed by crossbred cats who typically live another 11.9 years, compared to purebred cats who live another 10.4 years. (88% of cats are crossbreeds, according to the study.)
Next are Siamese cats with a life expectancy of 11.7 years after the first year of life, followed by Persian cats (10.9 years), Ragdoll cats (10.3 years), Norwegian Forest cats (10.0 years), Maine coon cats (9.7 years), Russian cats (9.7 years), British cats (9.6 years) and Bengal cats (8.5 years).
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Sphynx cat.
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The researchers calculated the average life expectancy for different types of cats using data from 7,936 veterinary-registered cats in the UK that died between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2021.
The study showed that the average lifespan of cats after their first year of life is a total of 11.7 years, with a higher figure of 12.5 years for females and a lower figure of 11.2 years for males.
Researchers have also found that cats that are not neutered have a shortened lifespan. They estimate that this is because cats are more likely to undergo the procedure as they get older.
The study also showed that cats with an average body weight have a longer lifespan than those that weigh more or less.
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Sphynx cat.
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In a statement, Dr. Dan O’Neill, co-author of the study from RVC, said, Guard“Essentially what we’re doing is giving some level of statistical certainty, whereas before it was just a guess.”
“Essentially this now gives the power to the public,” he added. “If one’s priority is to want a cat that will, on average, delay death as long as possible, we now have evidence to say [get a] female and crossbred.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education