Humans are thought to have kept cats as pets for over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated felines evolving from African wildcats.
Since then they have become the world’s second most popular pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we most like to welcome in to our homes and our hearts.
In the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends in households.
And there are a huge range of types of cat to choose from - according to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
A recent report by the Royal Veterinary College found marked differences in how long different breeds tend to live for - with some living more than twice as long as others.
Researchers analysed data of 7,936 cats over a three year period, taken from vets in the UK, finding that overall cats had an average life expectancy of around 11.7 years.
They also found that crossbreeds lived slightly longer than pedigree cats on average - 12.5 years and 11.2 years respectively.
Here’s how long they found you can expect the world’s 10 popular breeds of cat to live for.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
9. Siberian
An ancient breed of cat from Russia, the Siberian was only officially recognised as a formal breed by cat registries in the early 2000s. It's the national cat of Russia and has a distinctive bushy tail. They live for an average of 13 years. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Sphynx
Unlikely to be confused with any other breed due to its absence of hair, the Sphynx cat's lack of fur means it can easily get cold. This means it seeks out body heat so is known for loving cuddling up to its owner whenever possible. There are also issues with having no hair, with these cats predisposed to skin problems and sunburn. The research found that they had the lowest life expectancy - living for just 6.7 years on average. | AFP via Getty Images