A Pet to Last a Lifetime

Article Date:

February 17, 2008

Knowing your pet’s life expectancy at the beginning of your relationship can prepare you for a potentially early demise or a lifelong responsibility. Here are some typical life expectancies of some common types of pets:

AnimalTypical Life Span

Cats/Dogs

Cats
15 to 20 years

Dogs
(smaller breeds live longer
than standard or giant breeds)
8 to 15 years

Birds

Canaries
10 to 20 years

Finches
2 to 10 years

Parakeets, Cockatiels, Lovebirds
15 years

Large Parrots
50 to 100 years

Midsize parrots (Senegal, Conure)
30 years

Fish

Goldfish
Up to several decades

Other freshwater fish
A few years

Saltwater fish
2 months to 2 years

Reptiles and Amphibians

Aquatic turtles
20 years

Box turtles
Up to 100 years

Frogs
5 to 13 years

Iguanas
10 to 20 years

Lizards
5 to 20 years

Salamanders
Up to 30 years

Snakes
25 to 50 years

Small Pets

Chinchillas
10 years alone, 15 in pairs

Dwarf Rabbits
7 to 10 years

Ferrets
6 to 12 years

Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats
2 to 3 years

Guinea pigs,Hedgehogs
5 to 8 years7 to 10 years

Tarantulas
5 years