What breeds of cats live longer: purebreds or mixed breed cats

British and Taiwanese scientists have conducted a large-scale study of the life expectancy of domestic cats in the UK, Japan, and the USA. The study showed that Burmese cats live the longest - an average of 14.4 years, while sphynxes have the shortest life expectancy - about 6.7 years.

Mixed breeds live to 11.9 years on average, Siamese cats - to 11.7 years, and Persian cats - to 10.9 years. This is reported in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Read also: Scientists have named dog breeds that will not be able to survive if people disappear on Earth

Scientists explain that shorter life expectancy is often associated with selective breeding. Purebreds have an increased risk of heart disease, vision problems, and muscle weakness. A striking example is hairless sphynxes, which are prone to a number of birth defects.

The study also found that male cats live an average of 16 months less than females, which may be due to a greater susceptibility to urinary tract diseases, participation in fights, and road accidents. In addition, being overweight negatively affects the life expectancy of cats. Scientists also note that longevity is influenced by factors such as the frequency of going outside and local euthanasia practices.

Earlier, experts recommended the best dog breeds for beginners.

If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!