Helping cats live longer is always one of the major concerns for any owner, and there are several methods and preventative measures that you can take to help accomplish this. No one can tell for sure exactly how long any cat will live and there have so many advances in medicine that if an owner takes notice of them, it could add years to your cats life.
Genetics may play a roll, but not anywhere near the role that prevention plays. The average lifespan of a cat is somewhere between 12 and 15 years of age, but there have been several reported cases of cats living much longer than that. There is one thing that any expert will have a hard time disputing; the better you take care of your cat and the more you plan, the longer they will live.
Indoor or Outdoor:
Cats that live indoors, according to most statistics, will live twice as long if not three times as long as an outdoor cat. If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, they will live less than an indoor cat. Outdoor cats face all kinds of potential hazards ranging from accidents, poisoning of all kinds, as well as exposure to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Cat fights are one of the leading killers in outdoor cats, as well as predators that are much more dangerous than dogs.
Feral or stray cats will usually only live for a couple of years for several of these reasons, including starvation.
Weight:
Nothing is more cuddling than a slightly overweight cat, but outside of predators, there is nothing more dangerous to your cats health than being overweight. It is the number one cause of Diabetes mellitus in cats, as well as several other heath risks. If your cat is overweight, they will start to have trouble breathing or walking in some cases. They may also be unable to tolerate excessive heat and may not be able to exercise properly.
Exercise:
Regular exercise is absolutely critical in helping cats live longer. It helps their blood as well as the oxygen circulation, and when this happens, it strengthens all of their internal organs. It is also critical for controlling weight and maintaining their skeletal strength. It also helps your cat to fight arthritis, one of the leading cripplers of cats as they age. It may seem odd to your neighbors to place a lease on your cat and walk them, but this is not about neighbors; it is about helping your cat live longer. Leases are not just for dogs; they also work on cats.
Teeth:
The teeth are perhaps the most important part of helping cats live longer. Severe dental disease will directly affect your cats heart as well as their kidneys. Kidney failure is second to obesity as the number one killer of cats, and it all starts with their teeth. There are several heart and values infections that all begin with bacteria in the teeth. If you are not in the habit of brushing your cats teeth every 5 to 7 days, it is a good idea to start as it is never too late. Preventing tooth decay and tarter build up not only prevents calculus, abscessed teeth, and periodontal disease; it will also extend your cat life.
Microchip Identification:
This is not about the mark of the beast; it is about identification of your cat if they become lost. Microchips can very easy be placed under your cats skin by your veterinarian, and they are supplements to collars and tags. If your cat is lost or stolen, it can very easily be scanned and is fast becoming a mainstay in helping cats live longer.
Nutrition and Vitamins:
Helping cats live longer will also depend on the diet you feed them as cats have very special dietary needs. A lot of these needs are related to liver and enzyme requirements in cats, and perhaps the most important of all the nutrients is protein. Protein is a source of nitrogen, and your cat has a very difficult time in regulating the rate in which their liver enzymes break down protein. If their diet is low in protein, the body will react in the only way it knows how. It will begin to take protein out of the muscle structures, which can be catastrophic.
Taurine, which is an amino, is essential for proper bile formations, eye health, as well as helping your cats heart to function properly. All cats require high levels of taurine, but they have limited enzymes that can produce it from other amino acids. If this critical nutrient becomes deficient, it will affect your cats heart, and well as cause retinal and reproductive failures. If this occurs, there is very little chance of your cat ever having a normal litter.
Arginine is also an amino acid that is necessary in helping your cat convert ornithine. Most animals can do this naturally, but cats require arginine in this conversion. If it is not found in adequate supplies, they can not bind ammonia and may develop severe salivation, which can very easily kill your cat. Your pet will also require an active form of Vitamin A, as they lack the enzyme to convert beta-carotene to retinol, which is the active form of this vitamin. If it is not found in sufficient supplies in their food, it must be supplemented.
Niacin, which is a B vitamin, is also critical in extending your cats life, as cats can not manufacture it in their body. If this nutrient is deficient, it can cause the loss of appetite, inflamed gums, and hemorrhagic diarrhea, which can be a life threatening situation.
Minerals:
There are also some minerals that are necessary for helping cats live longer. Minerals perform many different functions in your cats body that include formation of bones and cartilage, maintenance of fluid and acid balance, as well as transportation of oxygen. If oxygen is not transported properly, it affects your cats blood, muscles, nerves, and the production of hormones. Minerals work hand in hand with vitamins and enzymes in maximizing your cats body and their lifespan.
Insurance:
As an owner, could you afford a very sudden 1,000.00 emergency medial bill if something very drastic happens to your cat? Insurance for cats is very inexpensive and there are several very good plans, but it is still not widely utilized. It is very sad the number of cases where a decision on whether a cat lives or dies is based on the cost of a treatment. This is perhaps one of the most important things you could even do to help your cat live a longer and much healthier life.
Summary:
Helping cats live longer is really a very simple matter of planning and some careful attention to your cats special needs. This loving and loyal friend of yours wants nothing more in life than to live it as long as they can with you.
I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field. He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.
After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.
After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.
I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.
Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website, Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets - http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/
