May 24, 2024
Cats are our beloved companions and are esteemed members of our family. It’s often common to ask, “How long do cats live?” due to our innate curiosity. However, the lifespan of a cat is dependent on several factors, just like any other animal. This includes lifestyle, diet, genetics, and many more.
Any owner would like their cat to live longer and be with them longer. These cats have become something more than just pets, they have become trusted companions that have become a big part of our lives. Before you start worrying about your cat’s lifespan, worry about all the things you could do together while it's still here!
What Is The Lifespan Of A Cat
The average cat lives up to 12 to 15 years. It may seem like a long time but for a pet owner, time dwindles quickly. But there are many ways to increase its lifespan. Just like us humans, cats can surpass the average lifespan with the right care and attention. Sufficient nutrition, regular veterinarian check-ups, and a loving environment can help your cat be with you longer. There have been plenty of cats who have surpassed the average lifespan just from how their owners took care of them. Some have reached their late teens and early twenties. Even Creme Puff reached an astonishing 38 years of age!
What Are The Factors In A Cat’s Lifespan
Just like any other animal, the lives of cats are very susceptible to a variety of factors. While these aren’t life-threatening in every scenario, they do have a role in affecting your cat’s lifespan. Understanding how certain factors affect your cat can make you understand it and its life even more. Here are some of the factors that determine how long cats live:
Genetics
The most common denominator in the lifespan of a cat is its genetics. The life of a cat is determined right from the start of its birth. Certain breeds are known for their overall longevity while some breeds are just susceptible to disease which makes them more vulnerable to illnesses. Some of these long-life breeds are the American Shorthair and the Persian. These breeds are known to have relatively longer lifespans and have fewer genetic issues compared to their other counterparts.
Nutrition
A well-balanced diet is a surefire way to secure a long life for your cat. It is of utmost importance to supply your cat with the best products that suit it. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require sufficient amounts of animal protein in order to obtain the right amount of amino acids for their diet. Without sufficient amounts of amino acids, they can have complications in their lifestyle and nutrition.
High-quality brands are always a good choice to go for. However, it is always important to consult a specialist regarding the matter. It’s better to know what your cat needs than to overfeed it, which can lead to serious health problems.
Veterinary Care
Veterinary care is one of the essential components that helps your cat’s health flourish. Nothing makes you and your cat feel better after an assuring visit to your local veterinarian. These experts are the most knowledgeable caretakers of your cat. Whether you visit them annually or monthly, visits are always important to make sure your cat is doing well inside and outside. It’s never a waste to check for any outlying diseases and conditions your cat may have. Plus, vaccinations and dental care are always essential components in your cat’s life.
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying and neutering are techniques to remove the gonads of each specific sex. Males have testes while females have ovaries. This removes their ability to reproduce but gives your cat more well-rounded benefits. The most commonly known benefit is to make your cat live a longer and healthier life. By removing the gonads of each sex, you’re essentially removing their susceptibility to life-threatening diseases and illnesses. Infections, cancers, tumors, and other complications involved in their gonads will be ultimately avoided.
Environment and Lifestyle
Establishing a safe and nurturing environment for your cats is always a good thing. It allows them to be more comfortable in their own skin, away from the world of stress and problems. One of the most significant factors affecting your cat’s life is their home. Whether they live indoors or outdoors can significantly determine how long they live. Indoor cats have the tendency to live longer than cats living outdoors.
The indoor environment has just so much more pros than cons compared to an outdoor one. Some of the benefits of an indoor environment are:
Lighter Safety Concerns
Indoor environments avoid interaction with speeding cars, loose animals, dangerous chemicals, and parasites that could hurt your cat.
Less Health Concerns
Indoor environments become a safe haven for your cat which allows it to avoid any outlying diseases that could be transmitted from other animals and cats.
Grooming
Grooming is easier for indoor cats since they are less exposed to the outdoor elements such as dirt, debris, and plant leaves.
The lifestyle of cats also plays a role in conjunction with their environment. Indoor cats have a lifestyle of security and being confined to their own homes, which ultimately makes them safer in the long run. Those in the outdoors have a lifestyle full of heightened awareness and security in order to be safe from the dangerous outdoors.
How To Help Your Cat Live Longer
With all the factors involved in your cat’s life, you do have a say in how some of these affect your cat. Here are ways you can help your cat live longer:
Proper Nutrition
Make sure the food you feed your cat is nutritious and well-balanced. Your cat’s diet is one of the most important factors to make it happy and healthy. An ideal food plan should be advised by your veterinarian to make sure your cat gets the right amount of nutrients based on its age, health, and lifestyle. Coupled with this, fresh and cool water should be ready for your cat to drink on a hot day.
Regular Veterinary Care
Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are important to make sure your cat gets every bit of care it needs. Veterinarians provide the best absolute care and advice on how you should take care of your cat. Check-ups are crucial to determine any outlying diseases or conditions your cat may have. Early detection is always important to ensure that your cat lives longer. Be sure to take your veterinarian’s advice to heart.
Regular Exercise and Play
Exercise is always an important part of your cat’s lifestyle. It allows your cat to get the mechanical gears going and gain that physical and mental stimulation. Use interactive toys, climbing posts, and other structures in order to keep your cat’s mind active. Regular exercise and playtime can strengthen your cat’s resolve and make it feel more comfortable with you.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
In addition to giving your cat its needed nutrition content, monitoring your cat’s diet is another important step. Obesity is a problem many cats face and this can shorten their lifespan tremendously by increasing the risk of various health risks. Make sure to monitor your cat’s weight and eating habits to make sure it leads to a healthy and happy life.
Safe Environment
Creating a safe haven indoors allows you to start nurturing a safe home for your best friend. An outdoor home is also great as long as you take measures to protect it from danger. Making a foolproof gate and shelter are great ways to keep your cat safe while still being outdoors. Given the nature of cats, it’s important to be safe and ready for any external factors that may endanger your loved one.
Dental Care
Dental issues create a great amount of stress for your cat. Infections can manifest just from untreated dental health issues. This can cascade into a multitude of effects such as kidney and health problems. Make sure to keep your cat checked in for every dental check-up.
Grooming and Maintenance
Grooming is a way to show affection to your cut just by a simple stroke of your brush. It helps you build an intimate bond with your cat while also removing any harmful debris, hair, and dust.
Maintaining your cat is another tedious but important task. Another part of your routine should be to clean your cat’s litter box. This makes your cat avoid any dirty and unsanitary conditions every time it’s doing its business. Overall, grooming and maintenance allow your cat to be happier and have better mental health.
Conclusion
Keeping your cat healthy is more than just about fancy brushes and branded food. It’s about your passion for giving it a more well-rounded care. A cat’s life is shorter than ours which is why they need us more than we need them. Understanding the factors that can affect our cat’s lifespan helps us be more prepared for anything our cat goes through. By giving it a comfortable, happy, and healthy life, we are assured that we gave it our all for our best friend.