What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell in a cat?

The average lifespan of a red blood cell (RBC) in a cat is typically around 70 days. This duration reflects the lifespan of erythrocytes in general for feline species, which is influenced by factors such as the cat's overall health, presence of any disease, and the physiological conditions under which the cat lives.

As red blood cells age, they lose flexibility, and their ability to transport oxygen effectively diminishes. Eventually, they are removed from circulation by the spleen and liver as part of the normal physiological process of maintaining healthy blood cell levels. Understanding this lifespan is relevant for veterinarians when assessing and managing conditions related to anemia, blood loss, or other hematological disorders in cats.

Other durations listed, such as 30, 60, or 90 days, do not align with established data regarding feline erythrocyte lifespan, indicating they underestimate or overestimate the typical longevity of these cells in a healthy cat.