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They should have a happy and comfortable routine in your home. Other common health concerns are skin complaints such as allergies, gastrointestinal issues such as intestinal foreign bodies and food intolerances. Preventative treatment against viruses and parasites is necessary for adults too.
Why Some Dogs Live Longer Than Others: Average lifespan of a Dog
Aside from keeping your cat vaccinated and indoors, there are several things you can do to help support a long and healthy life for your cat. As a cat owner, you undoubtedly want to aim for 18 wonderful years with your cat by your side. The average cat lifespan has increased steadily over the decades thanks to advances in healthcare. With diligent preventative care and early treatment when issues emerge, more cats than ever are living into their late teens and even early 20s. At the lower end of the spectrum, free-roaming outdoor and feral cats have much shorter average lifespans of just 2-5 years. While cats are known for being generally healthy pets, some breeds tend to have more health-related issues.
Take them to the Vet
Being patient and supportive can help alleviate any stress they’re feeling. The classic laser pointer will provide mental stimulation and entertainment for your cat. Make sure if you use a teaser toy or laser pointer that you give your cat something tangible to “kill” and “eat” at the end of the chase, such as a catnip toy or a few treats.
Worried about your pet?
Why Do Cats Live Longer Than Dogs? 6 Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ - Catster
Why Do Cats Live Longer Than Dogs? 6 Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ.
Posted: Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Discuss any changes in behavior in your senior cat with your veterinarian. It’s commonly recommended for cats 10 and older to have bloodwork and urine testing done every six months, as organ health can change quickly. Older cats are also prone to blood pressure issues, which can lead to strokes and blindness.
With the ability to pack on pounds easily when overfed and under-exercised, maintaining an optimal weight is crucial for cats to achieve maximum lifespans. They are described as robust, energetic, and often retaining kitten-like personalities late into their senior years. Their longevity may stem from good genes as well as their playful and engaging temperament keeping them active and mentally stimulated. Additionally, behavioral changes can include a reduced or picky appetite and less frequent grooming. Your cat is going to become more tired and less active as time goes by. As your cat gets older and into the later years of their life, they may no longer act like the kitten you once knew.
If your cat is obese, talk to your vet about healthy diet plans for your feline friend and give them cat food that will help them lose weight. A cat’s health is significantly impacted by their diet for the better or the worst. As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to provide your cat with a healthy, balanced feline nutrition that will support a long lifespan. Always having fresh water available to them is a crucial part of a balanced diet. Most obviously, indoor cats have easier access to food and freshwater than outdoor cats do more often than not.
As a pet parent, it can be difficult to think about the life expectancy of your animal. Our pets are such a valuable part of our lives — but sadly, their expected life span is important to consider, especially if you’re bringing a new pet into your home for the first time. Everyone has a hard time saying goodbye to their pets, but knowing how long your cat should live and what stages you can expect them to go through can help you take better care of them. As your cat gets older, they may need special care that they didn’t need when they were young, including special cat vitamins and supplements. Besides becoming less active, cats may experience other behavior changes as they near the end of their life.
Having your cat’s teeth checked by the vet at each visit is also important for your cat’s longevity. Sage Journals published a paper titled “Chronic Kidney Disease in Aged Cats” in 2016. The paper’s authors explain that CKD typically affects senior cats over the age of 12 and that the issue is primarily initiated by aging. The Journal of the American Veterinary Association published a study titled “Investigation of relationships between body weight and age among domestic cats stratified by breed and sex” 2019. Outdoor cats live for 2 to 5 years on average, according to researchers from the California-Davis University of Veterinary Medicine. However, there are many factors, many of which were discussed above, that come into play when talking about the length of a cat’s life.
Do spayed/neutered cats live longer?
You can only notice changes like these if your cat is indoors where you can see his behavior and monitor his litter box usage. This is one of several reasons that inside cats live the longest. The cat who has lived the longest life on record so far was a cat named Creme Puff who landed herself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for her impressive lifespan of 38 years and 3 days. Her owner credits her longevity to their interesting diet of dry cat food given in addition to broccoli, turkey bacon, eggs, and coffee with cream. Cats that are well cared for and genetically robust live for 18 to 20 years.
Search our database of over posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Kelly Anne has over six years of experience with reporting and editing in the personal finance space. Her work has been featured in national publications including Reader's Digest, CNBC and Forbes.
If you're not sure how old your cat is, you can refer to our guide on how to tell a cat's age. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Cats do seem like they can escape danger due to a little bit of luck and the ability to maneuver stealthily through tricky situations. A spayed (female) or neutered (male) cat has a decreased chance of developing mammary cancer and no chance of ovarian (female), uterine (female), or testicular (male) cancers. Obesity stresses the joints, heart, respiratory system, and more – taking its toll in the form of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other weight-related disorders.
If a cat cannot run around and play regularly, they may become depressed. CBD boosts immunity, cognition, and general health while aiding the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, hyperactivity, kidney disease, allergies, seizures, and cancer. A list of some of the more common factors affecting the average cat's lifespan. Finally, maintaining a clean litter box can help keep your cat healthy. Scooping litter should be part of your daily cat care rituals.
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