How long do they live?
For a large breed, the Afghan lives a long time. 12 to 14 years is not unusual, and healthy 18 year old animals have been known. Afghans suffer from many of the same geriatric complaints that other breeds get, such as failing eyesight and hearing, and arthritis. Cancer and heart disease take their toll on the breed as well.
An important aspect of caring for a reptile like this is giving serious thought to how long you will have to be responsible for it. Remember that a large (1000+ lb) alligator or other crocodilian cannot be readily sold or given away, and your once “cool” pet (that you bought when you were 25) may be a bit more difficult to accommodate adequately 40 years later.
Manx may live into their 20’s, and certainly may be expected to reach the late teens as a matter of course. Once past the danger of Manx Syndrome, the Manx is generally healthy when receiving regular veterinary care and proper diet. The Manx doesn’t fully mature until around 5 years of age, and the greatest threat to health is overweight. Because of the great depth of flank in the Manx, and the standard which calls for a large, solid cat, it may be difficult to tell if you’re overfeeding your cat. It can be hard to distinguish between depth of flank and fat. The best thing to do is to watch for panting after normal exertion–if it doesn’t stop after a short period of time, the cat probably has a weight/health problem.
