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Cat insurance can’t stop pet health emergencies from taking place, but the financial safety net it provides can make a big difference when it comes time to administer care. The simplest policies offer coverage against accidents and illnesses alone, while more comprehensive ones cover everything from routine care to end-of-life expenses. Your adult cat should ideally be well-socialized and well-cared for.
Breed of Cat
Pet insurance may help cover your cat’s annual health checkups as well as diagnosis and treatment of a number of common cat illnesses, which can help improve its chances of a long and healthy life. According to various studies, a crossbred house cat usually lives an average of 14 years, with a range of 9 to 17 years. However, it can be much longer, as it’s not unusual for cats to reach their late teens or even their twenties. Life expectancy depends on many factors, such as the specific breed of cat, whether they are neutered, their diet and bodyweight, how often they see the vet, and other life factors. But even when we keep our kitties living in feline paradise, the unknown can sneak up on them.
Can cats have age-related behavior changes?
Indoor cats—ones who live exclusively inside your house—have roughly double the life expectancy of outdoor cats, Watson says. Outdoor cats still live full lives, but they're exposed to illnesses, parasites, predators, and cars their indoor brethren steer clear of. According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the average lifespan of indoor cats is 10–15 years. Your veterinarian is a partner in pet care, an expert who’ll offer hands-on guidance from the kitten days to the senior years. They’ll guide you on how to promote a happy, healthy life at home and help to recognize warning signs before they evolve into serious health concerns.
Increasing longevity in cats
Pallas cat guide: where do they live, what do they eat - and how do these cats cope with the cold? - BBC Discover Wildlife
Pallas cat guide: where do they live, what do they eat - and how do these cats cope with the cold?.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Statistics indicate that the lifespan of an indoor cat is much longer than an outdoor cat. The life expectancy of outdoor cats is lower due to a higher risk of disease, car accidents and injury or death from predators. While it is impossible to know exactly how long a cat will live, some breeds of cats are known to often live longer than others. The Siamese and Manx cat breeds are two that often outlive their cat competition, but other breeds have been recorded as living into their 20s and even 30s. Both purebred and domestic mixed-breed cats have the potential to surpass the average lifespan of the species. Indoor cats tend to live the longest, 13 to 17 years on average.
What is the Average Lifespan of an Indoor Cat?
Remember that our pets are ruled by instincts shaped by an environment that doesn’t exist in our homes. It’s up to you to provide enrichment, which can improve their mental and physical well-being. Cats are social and intelligent animals, and they need time to interact with you. Body condition is a good way to determine if your cat is under or over nourished.
Common health-related issues
Spaying and neutering decrease the risk of developing reproductive diseases later in life that could shorten lifespan. But it does mean that you and your veterinarian will be able to proactively manage your cat’s health and provide your cat with the best care possible throughout its life. At least 1% of cats live longer than 20 years according to recording data from veterinary practices in Italy.
How Old Is My Cat in Human Years?
Weight loss is quite common in older cats; this should never be put down to just aging; there is always a cause of weight loss, which should be investigated. Common causes include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and cancer, which are all common diseases that can affect middle-aged to older cats. Guinness World Records lists the oldest cat as having lived 38 years and three days. Crème Puff was a domestic shorthair cat that was sometimes fed odd things such as asparagus, eggs, and heavy cream. It is unknown exactly how Crème Puff was able to live to be such an old cat, but a combination of loving care, good genetics, and a safe environment were probably key factors.
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. She has a background in business education and a master's degree in international communication studies. Food-related issues like unbalanced diets and overeating can cause many significant problems later. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This is especially pertinent now, with roughly 20 percent of cats in the US estimated to be 11 years or older.
How Long Do Cats Live? Feline Lifespan Facts Explained (Vet Approved)
Not to mention, being an outdoor cat means that cars are a risk. 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. Keeping your cat at an ideal body weight and allowing them plenty of opportunities to get exercise, will help mitigate weight issues in the long run. Contact your veterinarian to help you come up with the best weight and exercise plan specifically for your pet. Cats primarily eat meat, so they are considered obligate carnivores, and this should be reflected in the food we feed them. A lot of research has been done to determine the dietary needs of a house cat, so the food options that are available to cat owners are plentiful.
Cats that live outdoors unsupervised tend to live half as long as indoor cats, according to PetMD. While they may be more active than indoor cats, they’re exposed to far more life-threatening dangers. Outdoor-only cats also tend to not see the vet as often, if ever, for preventive healthcare that may help extend their lives. Some purebred cats are known to have a shorter life expectancy than mixed breeds due to selective breeding.
The average lifespan of a cat is 13 to 17 years, according to PetMD. That said, it’s not uncommon for cats to live into their late teens or twenties. Some cats even live into their thirties, although this is far less common. Senior cats are the retirees of the cat world, and like the older people they resemble, geriatric cats enjoy a slower pace in life, even taking to napping around 20 hours a day. Because senior cats like to snooze and often experience aching joints, comfort is of the utmost importance. Not just beds, but from food bowls to litter boxes, be sure your house is senior cat friendly.
Issues like animal attacks or being hit by a car can cut things off prematurely. 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. Blood pressure can be easily monitored at your cat’s annual checkup.
Have a look at the updated cat life stages and what you can expect from your cat as the years go by. These various disease processes require specific lifestyle changes ranging from daily medications to diet changes to routine labs. The earlier these diseases are diagnosed, the faster treatment can be pursued to prevent irreversible organ damage. Checkups should consist of physical exams, vaccinations, and blood work. A vet will be able to perform lab work and take X-rays to determine any health problems with your pet.
Keeping in mind all of these risk factors, there are a few other strategies that can help keep your cat healthy and happy for as long as possible. 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.
This question burns in the minds of every cat parent as they hold their kitty-dear tight, hoping their feline will be the next to claim the honor of world’s oldest cat. Unfortunately, try as we might, our cats don’t live as long as Crème Puff the cat. Living to the age of 38, Crème Puff still posthumously holds the title of World’s Oldest Cat. Additionally, behavioral changes can include a reduced or picky appetite and less frequent grooming. Many people don’t know what to do with a litter of kittens, and cats that give birth outside of their homes may not be able to care for their kittens on their own properly.
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