What Is the Average Lifespan of the Common Cat?
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Equating a cat’s age to a human’s is fun, but ultimately not a very accurate way to think about your cat’s lifespan. Some people just apply the same “seven-year rule” that is often used with dogs, where one year of your pet’s life is equivalent to seven of ours. Plus, outdoor cats are at greater risk than their indoor brethren for picking up any number of potentially deadly parasites.
Caring for an Aging Cat
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Many owners combine wet and dry food to reap the benefits of both. Other commercial diet options include a fresh subscription food. Though there is no “oldest” Nebelung cat, they do typically live longer than other breeds.
Factors Affecting Cat Lifespan
Several factors play into the number of years your cat is around; some examples are breed, genetics, and where they live their life (indoor or outdoor cat). Let’s take a look at some of the factors that play into life expectancy for your feline friend. 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.
Cat Lifespan Demystified: How Long Do Cats Live?
Finally, creating a safe and comfortable environment for your cat is essential for their overall well-being. Providing them with a clean litter box, a cozy sleeping space, and minimizing stressors such as loud noises or other pets can all contribute to their happiness and longevity. Cognitive dysfunction is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people. It causes disorientation, household accidents, altered sleep/wake cycles, anxiety, and other behavioral changes.
Disease Prevention
Vets recommend that you bring your cat in for a visit every 6 months to a year for a checkup and blood test. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are vital for a cat’s overall well-being and can significantly impact their lifespan. Cats are natural hunters and need opportunities to engage in physical activity and mental stimulation.
Diet
Outdoor cats tend to live far shorter lives than their more domesticated counterparts. The University of California, Davis’ Clinical Animal Behavior Service reports that the average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is just two to five years. If you own a Manx, Siamese cat, or Burmese cat, you can expect your cat to have a long and happy life. Some cat breeds typically live longer than the average lifespan of cats. Other long-lived cat breeds include Savannah cats, Bombay cats, Egyptian mau cats, Sphynxes, Ragdolls, and Persians. As cat owners, it is our responsibility to provide the best possible care for our furry friends.
It’s important to monitor your senior cat’s health and behavior closely for any changes that could indicate illness or age-related conditions. Look for subtle changes in appetite, energy level, activity, litter box habits, coat condition, and social behavior. Monitoring Your Senior Cat for Signs of Disease notes that changes in weight, urine or stool, vomiting, and lethargy can also be red flags. Annual veterinary checkups are recommended for senior cats over age 7 to catch any health issues early.
Common Health Issues that Shorten a Cat’s Life Span
Updating your living space and adjusting to your cat’s new needs can help them throughout the aging process. They will begin to require further assistance from you, and adapting to their needs can improve the quality of their life. While no one can say exactly how long a cat’s lifespan is, statistics can give a general answer to the question. Every cat is different and will go through their own set of experiences. Cats that are spayed or neutered tend to live longer than those who aren’t, according to Veterinarians.org. Spaying and neutering can reduce or eliminate the risk of reproductive cancers and certain health conditions like asthma or developing abscesses.
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Physical changes
And it’s a pet parent’s responsibility to help their kitty reach those golden years by giving him proper care for each life stage. Dutch is an online veterinary pet telehealth service, created by pet parents and board-certified veterinary specialists. We use a science-backed approach to provide pets relief for their everyday physical and behavioral health issues. We also partner with pharmacies who can deliver prescription medication (in applicable states only) and over-the-counter treatments directly to your door. Dutch isn’t a veterinary practice or pharmacy, but a company that helps facilitate these services for pet parents to make veterinary care more accessible to all. Regular veterinary care is another crucial aspect of promoting longevity in cats.
Outdoor cats also tend to live shorter lives due to all the cars they have to deal with. It’s not uncommon for cats to get run over by cars, especially if they dart into the road without looking and a driver doesn’t see them. 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. But such calculations are only useful for a general estimate of your cat’s longevity.
The Maine Coon is the largest breed, and the females will weigh 12 to 15 pounds, while the males can be as heavy as 22 pounds. Genetics play a major role in determining how long a cat will live. If a cat has a predisposition to heart disease, diabetes, or another life-threatening illness, they will likely have a shorter life.
This means the average eight-pound cat needs to consume at least 20 grams of protein each day and often much more. This can make it a little confusing to attempt to calculate your cat’s age in human years. This human years to cat years calculator will help you get an idea of how your cat’s age compares to that of a human’s. Cats who wander outdoors also risk theft or capture by animal control authorities. The chances of returning home increase dramatically when pets are microchipped and registered in the appropriate database. By the time your cat is a year old, they will have lived roughly 15 human years.
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