Their life expectancy has tripled over the past 30 years, according to US research. Dogs, too, are living longer. Reaching the grand age of seven was once considered miraculous for cats, but now 20 is quite common.
Vets attribute the longevity to better health care, changing ownership patterns and pampering.
Though the increase in canine lives is not so dramatic, dogs aged 15 to 20 are not uncommon. The long-living trend is born out by golden oldies such as Spike, Britain's oldest cat, and Fred, our oldest dog. One factor is that pet-owners are now demanding the same level of care for their animals as they do for themselves, including chemotherapy for cancer and injections against various diseases. Antibiotics, once rarely prescribed because of expense, are now cheaper and a staple of most vets. Tough laws requiring owners to keep dogs on leads have also helped both species to avoid premature deaths.