Part of responsible pet ownership involves taking into consideration, before you even bring one into your home, how long is likely to live. A good understanding of a blue point Siamese cat's life span can help you plan ahead for your cat's care as well as assist you in making decisions about how to handle any situations that arise.
Definition of a Blue Point Siamese
According to the Cat Fancier's Association Siamese Breed Council, the term blue point refers to a specific coloration pattern commonly seen in purebred Siamese cats. The CFA recognizes four color patterns. The color pattern does not affect any aspect of the cat's health or physiology, only its appearance. A blue point Siamese has a bluish-white body color with shading that occurs gradually and makes the cat appear white on its chest and stomach. The color points, such as the ears and nose, are deep blue. The cat's eyes should also be blue.
Expected Life Span
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the average life span for an well-treated indoor cat is between 13 and 17 years. The average lifespan of an indoor Siamese cat, meanwhile, regardless of the color pattern, is between 15 and 20 years. Cats of any breed that live or spend regular time outside face a significantly shortened expected or average life span due to increased risks. Any number of factors, foreseeable and unforeseeable, can affect the life span of any individual pet despite what average life span figures will lead you to expect.
Outdoors Cats
Cats that spend significant time outdoors face an increased risk of death, usually due to traffic, attack or disease. Thousands of outdoor cats get hit by vehicles or attacked by other animals every year. Outdoors cats are more liable to contract diseases from other animals, and their owners may not be as likely to notice symptoms of illness or injury. If you allow your cat to live outside, don't expect him to reach old age. Averages are misleading in this aspect, too: Average life expectancy of an outdoors cat is around four years; the cat by the highway might not make it alive a week, if not an hour. Expect a significantly shorter life span for these animals. According to the ASPCA most outdoor cats do not survive for more than 10 years.
Veterinary Care
Proper veterinary care is essential if you want your animal to stay healthy for years to come. Like any other domestic cat, your Siamese needs all basic annual vaccinations and regular veterinary checkups. Animals that go for years without seeing the veterinarian are at higher risk of developing undiagnosed problems that are not treated until after they've become severe. Preventative care is an essential part of helping your Siamese live a healthy long life.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
