We’re a nation of cat lovers - with more than 10 million feline friends belonging to households across the UK.
It means they are the second most popular household pet after dogs, with a whole range of different breeds to choose from.
Acording to The International Cat Association there are 73 ‘standardised breeds’, along with a bewildering number of crosses.
A recent report by the Royal Veterinary College found marked differences in how long different breeds tend to live for - with some living more than twice as long as others.
Researchers analysed data of 7,936 cats over a three year period, taken from vets in the UK, finding that overall cats had an average life expectancy of around 11.7 years.
They also found that crossbreeds lived slightly longer than pedigree cats on average - 12.5 years and 11.2 years respectively.
Here’s how long they found you can expect 12 popular breeds to live for.
9. Russian Blue
Also known as the Archangel Blue, the Russian Blue arrived in the UK from Russia in the 1860s. Researchers found the breed lived for an average of 9.7 years. | Canva/Getty Images
10. British Shorthair
Another of the UK's most popular feline friends, the British Shorthair has an average lifespan of 9.6 years. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Bengal
A cat that can have behavioural issues due to its genetic closeness to the wild Asian leopard cat from which it was originally bred, the Bengal Cat has an average lifespan of 8.5 years. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Sphynx Cat
Famous for its lack of hair, it's this characteristic that can lead to health problems for the Sphynx Cat - including skin infections and sunburn. The research found that they had the lowest life expectancy - living for just 6.7 years on average. | Canva/Getty Images