Is it possible to accurately guess how long any particular cat will live?

[epona]

But on a more serious note, I do think a lot of it has to do with the relationship with their owner. My cat knew I needed her. We were (and still are) very close. People would even mistakenly call me by her name vice versa.

What is that supposed to mean? That maybe sometimes our loved ones don't live long enough because we don't "need" them enough?

I needed my Sonic and still do, losing him broke my heart. What you have said sounds very dodgy and almost seems to be putting the blame on the human for not being dependent enough.

Very confused, maybe I misunderstood but I found your post quite upsetting.

 

[Alldara]

Does that mean that my Ebony knew i was recovering from the severe depression I was in (when she came into my life I mean) and 4 years after she came into my life she gave up? Cause I didn't *need* her, but *wanted* her to stay?

Its not always about us. I certainly needed Lily. She was too tired.

She was literally my support animal. The only animals needed more would be support animals that leave the home with you.

 

[tiggerwillow]

What is that supposed to mean? That maybe sometimes our loved ones don't live long enough because we don't "need" them enough?

I needed my Sonic and still do, losing him broke my heart. What you have said sounds very dodgy and almost seems to be putting the blame on the human for not being dependent enough.

Very confused, maybe I misunderstood but I found your post quite upsetting.

same here to be honest, it felt like Mm627 was saying that cause it wasnt life or death any more that my Ebony stayed, she was lost due to me not being selfish when she could no longer walk in a straight line and kept having fits due to the cancers, Ebony could of stayed, even like that, if I had "needed" her enough - thats how that post came across anyways TBH

 

[Furballsmom]

I took that post to mean that if a cat is loved and cared for by an owner that it loves, then it will likely live its very best life (things such as negative life changes notwithstanding). How long that life might be, for example in the case of my Poppycat who's hanging in there at 17, is anyone's guess.

Every time I read about a cat that has lived past 20, or 25, or even 30 I whisper in his ear that he might want to consider them as an example

In any case, I can't imagine anything more was intended, my two cents.

One or two articles written by TCS authors state that research shows cats (indoor) typically, on average, live 12-15 years.

 

[tiggerwillow]

I took that post to mean that if a cat is loved and cared for by an owner that it loves, then it will likely live its very best life (things such as negative life changes notwithstanding). How long that life might be, for example in the case of my Poppycat who's hanging in there at 17, is anyone's guess.

Every time I read about a cat that has lived past 20, or 25, or even 30 I whisper in his ear that he might want to consider them as an example

In any case, I can't imagine anything more was intended, my two cents.

One or two articles written by TCS authors state that research shows cats (indoor) typically, on average, live 12-15 years.

sorry it's a sensitive thing for me even now, Ebony not living a "normal" length of time, she was never healthy from the start, when she was picked up by rescue they didn't know if she would live at all, then after the vets had fought for her and she had tried to get better for her kittens, the vets did not believe she would live longer than another 2 years, she made it to 4 years, 2 months and a day before I had her gently put to sleep cause of the fits etc she had started to have

I get judged, even to this day, by certain people in real life, for the fact she did not live the "normal" number of years

so when someone else suggests the fact Ebony didn't fight on her last night, she basically gave up, didn't recognise me or Tigger and more and just gave into her illnesses, I find yet another person basically telling me it was my fault, rather hurtful

edit: I'll say this: if there had been hope for her on her last day, I would of moved heaven and earth for her, but by that point she no longer wanted to try. I got upset cause the post suggested the fact that Ebony didn't try any more to fight, it was my fault for not telling or asking her to stay, I basically told her it was okay to go and talked to her even as the vet was giving her the euthanasia stuff, just like there was a disagreement about what to do about her ashes, i chose to not get them back but instead, in Ebony's memory, I gave that money to a rescue instead, so they could help another cat.

another edit: i'll say what the rescue thought her age was when she went to rainbow bridge: 7

 

[Alldara]

Every time I read about a cat that has lived past 20, or 25, or even 30 I whisper in his ear that he might want to consider them as an example

I keep whispering to my cats that cats are living happily to 30 these days! Though, it's much more likely that we have a year or two left with Nobel.

 

[Alldara]

I get judged, even to this day, by certain people in real life, for the fact she did not live the "normal" number of years

It's understandable to be sensitive. I think any of us who lost a pet is. My friend's lost their cat to an illness when he was only 2. It's been 2 years and they are still paying off the debt of everything thing they did to try and save his life. It breaks my heart that they get judged.
They rescued a feral cat, got him fixed and healthy and only genetics didn't keep him that way. He had a rare issue and they tried everything.

We just never know and some people won't understand. The only thing we can do is move towards making peace with ourselves.

 

[FeebysOwner]

A cat will 'go' when they feel it is time. With Gracie, who had cancer, she went downhill the very week I had to be at a conference every day, all week long. I had been home for months before that, most of the day/night. The last morning of the conference, I begged her to hang in there until I could get home - no more me being away. She just couldn't do it. I found her when I got home that evening.

Everything is different for every person and every cat, and those who want to think otherwise - well, just let them think what they want, and acknowledge it for what it is: their total lack of regard.