All cat parents want their cute little kittens to have long lives, but did you know that cats grow a lot faster than humans, and in 15 to 20 years, they reach old age. Whether it’s an outdoor cat or an indoor cat, the lifespan of cats is close to 16 to 20 years.
However, if you take care of your kitty, there is a chance they can beat the oldest cat, called Crème Puff, who lived up to 38 years!
Outdoor Cats
Whether you keep your domestic cat outdoors or if we talk about stray cats, they have a relatively shorter lifespan compared to the cats that remain indoors. When you leave your cat outdoors, not only is there a risk of them getting in the way of traffic and encountering accidents, but they are also prone to contracting different diseases and parasites.
It’s common for cats to face many hazards when they step out of the comforts of their home, such as fighting with other cats or dogs, getting injured, not knowing how to cross the road, and getting hit by a car. Oh, no! That can be really painful, especially when you are a pet owner.
But don’t worry! You can help them by putting on a reflective collar on your cat to help prevent any road accidents. Not only this, bacteria and parasites from outside and any injury from other animals can cause a lot of diseases and infections in outdoor cats that shorten the cats’ lifespan. Therefore, you need to make sure that all their vaccines are sorted out. These are some reasons why most outdoor and stray cats live for around 5 to 6 years!
Indoor Cats
With so much advancement in medicine and technology, people are more aware of ways to help their cats have a full and long life. Vets suggest their diets and exercises accordingly and help the owners understand what cats need. The prevention of unnecessary outdoor activities and encouraging exercise indoors keep your kitties safe and healthy, elongating their lifespan to a higher degree!
How Can You Help Your Cat Live Longer?
There are many ways you can help your cat have a long, fulfilling life. From adhering to some minor lifestyle changes to maintaining some healthy habits, you can make a significant impact on your kitty’s life. Ask your vet to prescribe a healthy meal plan and exercise for your cat and follow these extra steps to ensure that:
#1 – Go to the Vet Regularly
Vet checkups are essential; therefore, you should at least take your cat to the vet once a year in the starting years of life to ensure their good health. As they start their mature age, try to take your cat twice or thrice a year to catch any health issues early on.
#2 – Keep Them Inside
Due to the outside elements like diseases, accidents, and animal attacks, outdoor cats tend to have shorter lifespans than cats that stay indoors. This is an easy way of effectively elongating your cat’s lifespan and quality of life. The secret is never letting them outside unattended because they are like small children, and it takes them less than a second to ingest something dangerous.
However, spending some quality time with your kitten can never be forbidden because everyone needs fresh air and sunlight!
#3 – Get Your Cat Neutered and Vaccinated
Cats that are neutered and vaccinated have been shown to live longer as they prevent them from getting any diseases during mating or going outside.
#4 – Encourage Your Cat to Exercise
Stock up on their favorite toys or take them to a yard or park every day and encourage them to get some exercise so that they stay physically as well as mentally healthy.
#5 – Hydration is a Key Component
Most house cats shy away from drinking water; it’s mostly because they are afraid or worried about stagnant water sources like their water bowl. Keeping them hydrated is key to extending their life expectancy. However, you can ensure that your cat keeps hydrated by adding foods to their diet that contains more water content. You should first consult your vet before making changes to their diet. Or, just turn on the faucet a couple of times and encourage your cat into drinking some water!
#6 – A Healthy Diet is a Must
Cat food comes according to their age; young cats need nutrition to keep them healthy and physically fit. Whereas older cats need food that helps them have energy and keep up their health. So, feed them appropriately and try not to give too many cat treats as they contain calories and would only increase your cat’s health issues, causing obesity.
#7 – Ward off Boredom
Boredom makes your cat stressed and depressed, and cats who stay stressed and depressed tend to have shorter lifespans. You can take the boredom out of the equation by providing them with engaging toys, perching posts, and getting another pet to keep them entertained. Spending some quality time with your cat also serves as a stress-reliever for them. So, share some bonding time while playing with them or grooming them.
#8 – Throw Out All the Chemicals
From indoor cleaning supplies to flea and tick resistance products you’re using, your cat is surrounded by a ton of chemical products that lessen its life expectancy. Limit their chemical exposure by switching out your cleaning products with products that use fewer chemicals and are made from natural resources. The same goes for pesticides that you use can be switched out for pest controls created from natural products.
Wrapping Up
All in all, the only way you can help your cat live a long and healthy life is by providing them with good nutrition, mental and physical stimulation, and taking care of their health by taking them to the vet for regular checkups. Regardless of how the age expectancy is calculated, your cat will live healthily beside you for a long time!
