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How Long Do Teacup Persian Cats Live – Lifespan & Care Tips

How Long Do Teacup Persian Cats Live – Lifespan & Care Tips

Persian cats are one of the most beloved breeds. While some people think they’re ugly cats, many Persian owners find their flat faces and unique expressions adorable. So what could be cuter than a teacup Persian cat? Of course, looks aren’t everything, and owners should know how long teacup Persian cats live before they commit to owning a cat for the next few years. So, how long do Teacup Persian cats live?

Teacup Persian cats live on average between 12 and 17 years. The median age of Teacup Persian cats is around 14.5 years old. In some cases, Teacup Persian cats may live even longer if they’re healthy and given high-quality care.

You should be prepared to have and keep your teacup Persian cat for as long as any other cat and should budget for their long-term care. That means routine visits to the vet, quality food, and an overall quality lifestyle. Read on to learn more about what you need to know about owning and keeping a teacup Persian cat.

Factors Impacting The Lifespan Of A Teacup Persian Cat

Before owning a Teacup Persian cat, it’s important to know what factors impact their overall lifespan. By knowing this you’ll be able to better prepare for problems before they arise. As with any pet, preventative care is the best care. Let’s start with the breeder quality firs.t

Quality Of The Breeder

The quality of breeder plays an important role in a cats overall health. How that cat was bred, the conditions they lived in, and the early medical care they receive is important. A kitten that has not been properly bred or cared for may end up with issues down the line as they age.

High quality breeders help prevent genetic health problems too. You ideally want to look at a breeder that does regular health testing. If you’re getting your cat from a breeder with less experience, or what some would call “backyard” breeders, then chances are they don’t know the exact health condition of the cat before selling it to you.

As a result, you can expect a Teacup Persian cat to live fewer years if that’s the case.

Diet

As with any cat, the next biggest factor impacting their lifespan is the diet. Cats who eat a poor diet simply don’t live very long and this is well documented.

Ideally, you should feed Teacup Persian cats a high quality food product. Food that is high in moisture, and not loaded with fillers is preferred. This not only keeps your cat hydrated, but it also provides them with the right amount of nutrients and protein.

Cheap food with fillers can cause your cat problems later on including UTI (more on this shortly). Although they are larger cats and need more calories, it’s still not a good idea to give them calorie dense foods. Instead go for quality foods that are higher in fiber so your cat feels more full without gaining too much weight.

Whether the cat is a Teacup Persian or not, the split ingredients should remain roughly the same. Aim for somewhere around 18% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, and around 0.8% Crude Fiber.

Physical Activity

Studies have shown that cats who are less physically active tend to leave shorter lives. An active cat has a stronger heart, and is less likely to be obese. Teacup Persian cats that exercise regularly also have stronger muscle and bone structure. Their mobility is also greatly improved, and they also digest food better if they exercise regularly.

Experts recommend most cats get around 30 minutes of exercise every day to maintain optimal health. This can be done in various ways including:

  • Cat lasers
  • Catnip
  • Playing toss with toys
  • Having free time to run outside (while monitored)

Routine Health Care

Cats who have routine vet checkups tend to live longer.

These visits may cost, however they can save a ton of money in the long run. Taking your cat to the vet is smart because it is a preventative approach to their health. This also ensures your cat has the proper vaccinations at the right time. If your vet sees anything wrong with your cat during these checkups, you’re able to get ahead of it!

Do Teacup Persian Cats Have Health Problems

Generally speaking, Persian cats are at a higher risk for health problems compared to other cat breeds. That can have a significant impact on their overall lifespan depending on the condition. However, there are a few specific conditions that arise more with this breed as a whole:

Dental Issues

Teacup Persian cats can have dental issues. This is mostly the case if your cat does not have their teeth brushed regularly, or is not eating any treats that help to clean their teeth. Around 11% of all Persian cats have dental issues. When it comes to dental issues, it primarily affects males at a higher percentage than females.

UTI

UTI is a very common condition in cats. In fact, it affects roughly 2% of all cats. If your Teacup Persian cat has difficulty urinating, or it appears painful, then it may be time for a diet change to combat the issue.

Renal Disease

Around 33% of all Persian cats deal with Renal Failure. This is when multiple cysts develop in the kidneys. As those cysts develop in size, it can lead to kidney failure. The disease is inherited, so that puts further emphasis on getting a reputable breeder who has good documentation of your cats medical history.

How Big Does A Teacup Persian Cat Get

Teacup Persian cats are known for their small size and permanently adorable appearance. These cats average about 2/3rds the size of a regular Persian cat. That means they stand about 6-7 inches tall at the shoulder and tend to weigh about 5-8 lbs, depending on their size and musculature.

Of course, some teacup Persian cats are smaller than that, and some are larger.

It’s essential to keep an eye on your teacup Persian cat’s weight. Teacup cats can be prone to getting overweight, and Persian cats are a naturally lazy breed, making it harder for them to keep their weight down.

It’s also essential for owners to know that not all cats will stay teacup-sized, even if both of their parents are teacup Persians. In some rare cases, a teacup-bred Persian will reach a normal size, so you should be prepared for a full-size domesticated cat just in case.

Do Teacup Cats Have Health Problems

Unfortunately, teacup cats are known to have a range of health problems depending on their breeding and their small size.

Natural evolution can sometimes make animals smaller than they started. But that process usually happens over a long time, not within a few generations. Modern breeding techniques speed up that time considerably but can’t overcome genetic problems that happen when breeding for a specific trait.

Teacup Persian cats are known to have some bone and organ issues due to their size and may be more fragile than average for a cat of their breed. They can also have other problems depending on how their line was bred and whether they were bred using responsible techniques.

The other problem with teacup Persian cats is that not all teacup cats are actually bred to be and naturally small. Sometimes cat sellers will say that a cat is a teacup cat because they are a runt or because they have a health issue that makes it hard for them to grow.

That’s a massive issue because runts often need special care as kittens, care they might not get if they are going to be sold as teacup cats. The conditions that cause a cat to be smaller than normal also usually cause other health problems as well. While those problems aren’t always severe or unmanageable, it’s always crucial for the cat’s owner to know about them to make sure they’re properly treated and well taken care of.

What Do Teacup Cats Eat

Teacup Persian cats eat the same foods as regular Persian cats, but they might need smaller portions to help keep their weight under control. That’s because their smaller bodies don’t burn as many calories as larger cats, so large portion sizes will quickly give them too many calories.

The one exception to that is when your teacup Persian is a kitten. Like any other kitten, teacup Persian cats should be given free access to their food and should be allowed to eat as much as they want to until they are closer to their full size.

Feeding kittens however much they want can also be a good way to make sure your cat isn’t just smaller because of malnutrition.

Are Teacup Cats Hypoallergenic

No, teacup Persian cats are no more hypoallergenic than other Persian cats. If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic cat, consider a hairless cat, Siamese, or a few other breeds that are known to produce a smaller amount of the primary cat allergen.

How Much Does A Teacup Persian Cat Cost

Teacup Persian cats can cost as much as $1,500-$3,000. These are specialty cats that have been specifically bred, and that means that breeders charge more to cover the costs of raising those cats and following good breeding practices that support their cats’ health.

Additional Information

Teacup cats are a special designation for cats bred to be smaller than their breed average. Most teacup cats are about 2/3rds the size of their breed. Teacup Persians are some of the most widely recognized and common teacup cats, and they are distinct from dwarf breeds like Munchkin cats.

However, breeding teacup cats can sometimes cause problems for the cat, and in a few rare cases, Persian cats that are stunted or suffer from health problems that make them smaller are sold as ‘teacup’ cats even though they aren’t teacup cats at all. All of that has a significant impact on them being able to live their fullest life.

Genuine teacup Persian cats are still relatively rare and can be hard to find. If you want to own one of these breeds, it’s essential to contact a reputable Persian breeder and ask if they, or any other breeders they know, are producing teacup cats. Otherwise, you’re likely to get a stunted cat instead of a carefully bred smaller cat.

Getting a teacup cat might seem like a good option if you’re looking for a smaller animal, but the truth is that teacup cats can be a lot more responsible than their larger cousins. That’s because teacup Persian cats can have more health problems than the primary breed, and they’re also harder to keep track of. A small cat can get into a lot of trouble if you don’t keep an eye on them.

Teacup Persian cats might not be a good option for a family cat because of their fragility and small size. Especially families with small children should consider a different cat type to help ensure the children have good cat manners and understand how to handle a cat before you get a teacup variety.