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Domesticated cats can live long lives but their life span depends on many different factors. Now that we understand the factors that can influence your cat’s lifespan, we can try and help your cat live their life to the fullest and longest. With advances in modern medicine, modern diets, modernized kitty products, modern indoor living, etc. cats, as well as other pets, are living healthier for longer. Some outdoor cats may live into their teens or twenties, while some indoor kitties my only live a few months or years. Not all commercial or homemade cat foods fit into this category.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Cat?
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Cats: the Pros of Inside Living - Business Insider
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Cats: the Pros of Inside Living.
Posted: Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
When cats experience an unintended pregnancy, that litter ends up in the hands of the human that cares for that cat. In the early years of their life, you should take your cat to the vet at least once a year. When your furry feline is a senior cat, take them to the vet at least twice yearly or every six months. Older cats and those with chronic medical conditions should go more often. Geriatric and chronically ill cats, including those with compromised immune systems, might go to the vet three or more times per year.
How to Care for Your Cat for a Long Lifespan
They may also experience reduced hearing, lower immune function, changes in skin elasticity, and stress intolerance. Your cat may begin to lose their vision or change their coat coloring. Brushing your cat regularly will help keep them from consuming too much hair when they groom themselves, avoiding digestive issues and hairballs.
Veterinary Care
From cancers, to infectious diseases, to genetic/inherited diseases, all health conditions can affect how long your cat can live for. Providing proper veterinary care, food, water, and safe environment can help some of these larger health issues when they do pop up. It's no surprise that pet parents want to know what the average lifespan of a house cat is so they can gauge how long their adored feline friend will be around. Knowing the lifespan of your feline can help you understand what stage of life your cat is in and give you some emotional readiness as they age.
Indoor cats tend to live much longer in general due to modern interventions like veterinary medicine and vaccinations, complete and balanced cat foods, and protection and shelter. Because indoor cats tend to be more sedentary (because they typically don't hunt for their food, etc.) getting enough exercise and becoming overweight is a huge worry regarding their health. The average life expectancy of an indoor cat is about 15 years. They are protected from the dangers that outdoor cats face (e.g., wild animals, toxic plants), making it easier to live a long life. Conditions can be genetic or picked up from the environment or over time.
Behavioral changes
Some cats will need emergency treatment or surgery that can cost significantly more than $125. Pet insurance or savings is a responsible way to make sure your cat can get the treatment they need when it counts. Problems are often more manageable in the early stages, so picking up on issues early means better outcomes and, often, smaller bills. Outdoor cats are more vulnerable to diseases and casualties like car accidents and animal fights. Keeping your cat’s vaccinations up to date will also help protect them from diseases that could shorten their lives.
But we also know that the cat’s overall health and any pre-existing or chronic health conditions can play a significant role in limiting that cat’s quantity and quality of life. Mixed-breed cats, also known as domestic shorthair cats, tend to live longer than purebred cats by a year or two, on average. This is mostly likely due to a more diverse gene pool that reduces the chances of hereditary health conditions common to purebred cats. As cats grow and age, they go through five distinct life stages, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners. While the timing and length of later stages can vary based on breed and other factors, here is what you can generally expect from the different stages throughout your cat’s life.
Every cat is different and will go through their own set of experiences. While you can’t change your cat’s genetics, there are things you can do to keep your cat healthy and potentially increase their lifespan. Naturally, your cat’s health status plays a role in their life expectancy. With all of these luxuries, though, indoor cats can get lazy.
Health Status
Lack of proper nutrition and being overfed can both lead to health problems. But feeding your cat a healthy diet that’s appropriate to its life stage, and being careful not to overfeed,, can go a long way toward promoting good health and a longer life. "As in humans, many of the changes that occur with ageing in cats are not considered pathological and do not negatively affect overall wellness or quality of life," the researchers explain. "However, ruling out disease is essential when attempting to determine whether an aged cat can be considered 'healthy'." A kitten’s job is to grow and to learn how to interact with his environment.
Your cat’s teeth and eyes are a good place to start for a veterinarian to guesstimate what age your cat is. Unfortunately, the threats of living outside far exceed the threats that an indoor cat will typically face in its lifetime. An overweight cat may have issues with bone, joint, liver, heart, lung, and other systems.
While we all wish there was a magic elixir to make our cats live forever, there’s no way to cheat death and some illnesses are unavoidable. But there are quite a few things pet parents can do to help their cat live longer. The Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats is California's only 100% feral cat rescue and socialization facility. As shelter interventionists, the Kitty Bungalow focuses on the most vulnerable of felines - the ferals.
©2024 This website is owned and operated by Cliverse Media DAO LTD. Compared with purebred cats, mixed breed cats tend to be hardier and less susceptible to hereditary diseases, helping to extend their lifespan. During that time, cats have ingrained themselves in our lives as well-loved and well-cared for pets and family members. The main ways to improve your cats lifespan is to keep them indoors and at a healthy weight. Indoor cats are less likely to die from road trauma or get parasites.
Just this one adjustment can increase your cat’s lifespan and help them live (on average) three times longer. The average kitten owner can expect healthy domestic cats to live for more than a decade with an appropriate diet and healthcare regimen. Some feline fanciers have seen their pets live even longer, offering more than two decades of unconditional love. Major health problems can develop in the senior years however, some issues such as arthritis and dental disease are easily managed with the correct treatment. As with all life stages, preventative care is important and early intervention can make all the difference to your cat. The African Wild Cat (Felis silvestris lybica) is a possible ancestor to our domestic cats.
And you can extend that time by ensuring your cat has regular vet care, good nutrition, and by making other lifestyle choices that protect your cat's health and wellbeing. Routine medical care won’t necessarily prevent illness or increase your cat’s lifespan, but it may help to keep your cat healthier over the course of their life. Outdoor cats also have to fight other cats to defend their territory and protect resources, exposing them to infectious diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus. Outdoor cats usually have short lives, with an average lifespan of 5 years. They are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, have to fend off wild animals, and are at risk of eating toxic plants or getting hit by cars. The chances are if you’ve adopted a cat, they are fixed or neutered.
Creme Puff, a tabby mix out of Austin, Texas, lived to be 38 in a happy, long life! Today, the oldest cat is Flossie, whose 27th birthday was celebrated by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2022. You could have decades with your furry companion, depending on several lifestyle factors.
We strongly urge you to keep your cat indoors, mainly for the animal’s safety. Outdoor and indoor-outdoor pets take an estimated 2.4 billion birds yearly.3 They have even hastened the extinction of many threatened and endangered species. High-quality cat food is an important part of fostering a long and healthy life for your cat but the right cat food and water dish will promote good posture, offer whisker relief, and aid in good digestion. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite bowl since it offers all of the above and is beautifully crafted to meet modern home stylings. The wide tray design catches any food and water spills and the entire setup is dishwasher safe.
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