A List of Common Pets' Life Expectancy, From Shortest to Longest

Published on Sep 10, 2020 at 7:20 PM

There is a common saying that a pet might only be here for a part of your life, but for them, you are their whole life. Having a pet is like having a friend, a companion, or even a bonus family member. However, they can be a lot of work; things like vet appointments, pet insurance, and groomers visits can add up over time. Moreover, a lot of pets require your time and attention daily. This is why it is really important to consider a pet's life span before choosing to bring them into your home — it is often an overlooked factor when people select their pet. We have rounded up a list of common pets with their life spans from the shortest to longest. Keep reading to learn more.

Hamster

The average life span of a hamster is two to three years. Factors like species, diet, exercise, and quality of care directly contribute to how long a hamster may live.

Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs live for four to seven years on average. They need to be well attended to, as common infections can be deadly — especially respiratory illnesses.

Goldfish

When kept in a healthy environment, goldfish can live for five to 10 years. It is important that they swim in fresh water as they can react badly after a change in chlorine levels or to heavy metals in the water.

Parrot

Budgies, or parakeets, are a common species of parrot that people have as pets. On average, these species live for five to 15 years.

Dog

On average, dogs live for seven to 14 years. There are a lot of factors when it comes to determining a dog's life span, including breed, as some breeds are more prone to disease than others.

Rabbit

Rabbits or bunnies live for eight to 14 years on average. They are prone to unique problems like overgrown teeth and loss of appetite over the years.

Cat — Getty | Nico De Pasquale Photography

Cat

Indoor-only cats have an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years. On the other hand, cats that only live outdoors have an average lifespan of two to five years. Keeping cats indoors can actually increase their lifespan, as they are less likely to encounter predators or toxins.

Turtle

Turtles or tortoises can live for 40 to 50 years, as they have very slow metabolisms. However, they often do not get sufficient care in captivity in order to live full lives.