How Long Will My Cat Live For 2026? Scientists found these were the average lifespans of 11 popular breeds of adorable cat - including the loving Ragdoll 😺

Humans and cats have a close relationship that’s thought to date back over 10,000 years, when the first domesticated felines were evolved from African wildcats.

They are now the world’s second most popular household pet, just behind dogs when it comes to the animals we welcome into our hearts.

It means that there are a staggering number of pet cats out there - in the UK alone there are more than 10 million feline friends taking up our rugs, sofas and beds.

Read more: Most Popular Dog Breeds Latest: These are the 11 top dogs in the UK - as the Labrador leads the way again

There are a huge range of types of cat to choose from, with The International Cat Association recognising 73 ‘standardised breeds’.

Then there are a bewildering number of crosses, alongside the trusty Moggy - an indistinct mix of cat that is the most popular type.

And one think to consider is how long you expect your new pet to live for.

A 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 - with only two pedigree breeds looked at in the study outliving crossbreeds.

Here’s how long they found you can expect 11 popular breeds of cat to live for.

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