Wednesday, May 1, 2024

How Long Do Cats Live? A Vet Expert Weighs In DodoWell

average age of house cat

Some diseases have long term effects on cats and may also shorten their lifespan. As they age, your cat could develop health issues like arthritis and dental disease. And these cats tend to live much longer than those allowed to roam. You can only notice changes like these if your cat is indoors where you can see his behavior and monitor his litter box usage.

Proper nutrition and its impact on lifespan of a house cat

While accidents do happen, strictly indoor cats face fewer dangers. If you have a mischievous cat, cat-proofing the house is a good idea. Unplug things that aren’t in use, put phone chargers in a safe place, make sure window screens are secure, and even put covers over stove knobs to prevent burns or fires. If you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, you should be taking them to the vet on a regular basis and feeding them a healthy diet.

Video chat with a vet today

Your cat is going to become more tired and less active as time goes by. As your cat gets older and into the later years of their life, they may no longer act like the kitten you once knew. They may be milder and more relaxed now, with more of a draw to sleeping than playing. One way to help your cat express their needs to exercise and play is with cat furniture. Cat trees that provide your cat with multiple levels to jump, climbing holes, and scratch pads are ideal.

Take them to the Vet

While there is not a specific consensus on this, the average life expectancy of a house cat is somewhere between 10 to 15 years, while outdoor cats may only live on average 2 to 5 years. Symptoms may take years to develop, so this disease can be silent but fatal. Sadly, outdoor cats have an average life span of only 2–5 years. Portion-controlled meals, interactive feeders, scheduled playtime, and environmental enrichment all help cats stay active and engage their natural hunting behaviors. By keeping weight under control, cats can add years to their lifespans and avoid many chronic diseases of aging. Breeds with shorter average lifespans of years include the Sphynx, Ragdoll, and Scottish Fold.

Your Cat’s Life Stages

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute estimates that cats kill up to 4 billion songbirds each year. You may have other practical reasons for letting your cat outside. If you choose to declaw your pet (hopefully you don’t ever do this) he will be at a major disadvantage if he manages to sneak outside.

However, although their lifespan varies, a well cared for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond, some make it to 18 or 20 and a few extraordinary felines even pass 25 or 30 years of age. Cats are wonderful additions to our families, and they can quickly become beloved family members. As tragic as this is, it’s only normal to want to spend as many years as possible with your cat. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help increase the chances of your cat living a long and healthy life.

Cat Breeds and Lifespan

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. Even if your cat seems to be in good health, being proactive with general care is important to prevent any serious health issues. It’s hard to imagine a life where your domestic cat would want to work any harder simply to survive—but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t if they had to.

Help your cat live a happy, healthy life for years to come

average age of house cat

Burmese cats are large-eyed beauties with stocky, athletic bodies. According to some sources, the longest living Burmese cat lived up to 35 years. By the time your cat is a year old, they will have lived roughly 15 human years. The transition from mature adult to senior cat can vary depending on the cat. Some cats in this age range will remain spry and well-muscled for years, while others will have more illnesses and degenerative disease.

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Average lifespan of a Cat

All you have to do is use Dutch to connect with a vet in your area, then schedule a video chat. Your vet can offer expert advice, and Dutch can even work with pharmacies to deliver medication to your door. With the ability to pack on pounds easily when overfed and under-exercised, maintaining an optimal weight is crucial for cats to achieve maximum lifespans. They are described as robust, energetic, and often retaining kitten-like personalities late into their senior years. Their longevity may stem from good genes as well as their playful and engaging temperament keeping them active and mentally stimulated.

We all want to shower our cats in treats and other goodies, but this is also something you need to be mindful of. You should know how much to feed your cat based on their age and size. After three years, your cat has developed as much as a 28-year-old human will. After this stage, every cat year equates to around four human years.

average age of house cat

The chart we have provided (below) can be used to easily determine approximately how old your cat is in human terms. It should be remembered that this is just an estimate though as each cat, just like each human, is an individual and rates of maturation and ageing will vary. This self-cleaning litter box separates waste from the clean litter after your cat exits.

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. Cats undeniably have the potential to live long and happy lives with you and your family for many decades. The factors that influence their lifespan include important things like their diet and health maintenance habits. Just by bringing your cat to the vet regularly and providing a healthy and balanced diet, you could potentially help your cat sustain a lifespan for up to 40 happy years. A cat’s health is significantly impacted by their diet for the better or the worst.

Adult cats cannot digest large amounts of carbohydrates or lactose, so these are unnecessary ingredients in their food. Carbohydrates can even decrease how much protein is digested, so they are, in fact, harmful to a cat. Cats require a large amount of protein when compared to a dog, due to their unique digestive system.

During a veterinary visit, your cat’s overall health will be assessed, including a physical examination, weight check, and evaluation of vital signs. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care can also be addressed during these visits. Proper nutrition is crucial for a cat’s overall health and plays a significant role in determining their lifespan.

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