It's no secret that some pets live longer than others. Pet longevity, in general, has quite a bit to do with how well they're taken care of, which foods they eat, and whether or not they have any illnesses. However, some pets have longer lives naturally.
Let's take a look at the life expectancies of five popular types of pets to see which have the most extended lifespan!
Tortoise And Turtle
Pet tortoises and turtles have the most extended lifespans of any of the typical household pets. Turtles frequently live 30 years, and tortoises can live a hundred years or more! The standard pet tortoise tends to live into their seventies.
If you are looking after either of these pets, you may wish to consider who will look after them if you no longer can, since they have such long lifespans!
Birds
Surprisingly, birds also live for a long time. However, it depends on the type of bird. Smaller birds usually have the shortest lifespans, while bigger ones live much longer lives.
The Macaw, for example, can live between 30 and 50 years! However, a lovebird only reaches ten years.
The bird type with the most years on this planet, though, is the parrot. Some of these birds can live to be a hundred years or more! Depending on the bird you pick, much like with turtles, you may wish to figure out who will take care of it once you can no longer do so.
Fish
Despite their reputation, fish can live for a long time! Goldfish, for example, can live for 25 years if kept in the proper conditions (not in a goldfish bowl), while other types of fish, like Bettas, only live for 2-3 years, even if kept in pristine water.
It's worth noting that fish that have been growing for 25 years get quite big. At that point, an aquarium rarely suffices, and you need to move them to a pond.
Cats
Cats live longer than many other popular pet types. Usually, cats live between 10 and 15 years, although with advances in veterinary medicine, nowadays cats can sometimes live longer. It's not entirely uncommon to see them approaching their twenties.
If you want your feline friend to live the longest, generally, you will want to keep them indoors. By doing so, you will protect them from disease and predators.
Dogs
Dogs also live quite a long time. However, the length of a dog's life is very much dependant upon the breed. Bigger dogs tend to have much shorter lives than smaller dogs. Small dogs can have lifespans similar to that of cats. However, bigger dogs might only live for 8 or 10 years. Regular vet appointments and not feeding dogs table food will help increase their lifespan.
Choosing A Pet Based On Lifespan
For some people, knowing the lifespan can help make choosing a pet more comfortable. If you want something that will live an incredibly long time, then turtles and tortoises are your best bet. If you want a pet that will be short-lived, a Betta fish or a hamster is a good option. Most other pets live between the ten and twenty-year mark.
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