How long do cats live?

Cats are having longer lives than ever before. Cats are living to be over 15 years old, and in some instances over 20 years old. Thanks to advances in nutrition and veterinary medicine, including vaccines and therapeutic agents. Many factors influence life span, including whether your cat is an indoor-only cat or an outdoor cat.

Indoor cats typically survive between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Many will thrive into their early twenties. Creme Puff, the oldest reported cat, survived to be 38 years old.

Outdoor cats have shorter lives because they are more likely to be engaged in traumas such as car accidents or dog attacks. Outdoor cats are also more vulnerable to several potentially fatal viruses, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia. Which are transmitted through fighting or contact with an infected cat.

Keeping your cat trim and healthy

There are numerous things you can do to assist your feline companion in living happily through their golden years.

1. Observation – your part is critical in noticing small changes in your cat’s behavior or general well-being. You can accomplish this by conducting a weekly mini-physical examination on yourself. (if you are unsure about how to do this, ask us next time your cat visits).
2. Keep an eye out for changes in water consumption, appetite, breathing patterns, coat quality, lumps and bumps, coughing, physical skills, toileting habits, and even grooming habits.
3. Vaccinations are administered on a regular basis.
4. Veterinary check-ups on a regular basis, including a physical evaluation (find out more here)
5. A balanced meal appropriate for your cat’s age
6. Maintain a healthful body weight.
7. Exercise – engage in moderate playtime on a daily basis.
8. Create a stress-free atmosphere.

What occurs to a cat as it ages?

Many physical and behavioral alterations accompany the aging process:

1. Older cats’ immune systems are less capable of repelling foreign intruders.
2. The epidermis is thinner and less elastic, with decreased blood circulation and an increased susceptibility to infection.
3. Grooming is less successful in older cats than in younger cats, which can result in hair matting, skin odor, and inflammation.
4. The nails of elderly cats are frequently overgrown, thick, and brittle, necessitating more frequent trimming.
5. Hearing loss is prevalent in elderly cats.
6. Many alterations occur in the eyes as people age. A slight haziness of the lens is a common age-related change that, in most instances, does not impair a cat’s vision significantly. Several diseases, particularly those linked with high blood pressure, can, however, seriously and irreversibly impair a cat’s ability to see.
7. Dental disease is very prevalent in older cats and can make eating difficult as well as painful.
8. Although many diseases can cause a loss of appetite, a decreased sense of smell in healthy senior cats may be partly responsible for a loss of appetite. However, the discomfort caused by dental disease is a more probable cause of aversion to eating.
9. The feline kidneys go through a number of age-related changes that can contribute to impaired function. Kidney failure is a prevalent disease in older cats, and its symptoms are extremely varied. Early detection of kidney changes will result in a higher standard of life.
10. Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is prevalent in older cats. Although most arthritic cats do not become overly lame. They may have difficulty accessing litter boxes, food and water dishes, and other items, especially if they must leap or ascend steps to get to them. Cats suffering from arthritis or joint disease may groom less and are less likely to enjoy a pat on the back or tail.
11. Hyperthyroidism (often resulting in excessive activity); hypertension (high blood pressure); diabetes mellitus; inflammatory bowel disease. And cancer are all instances of conditions that, while seen in younger cats, become more common in older cats.
12. In humans, changes in the brain caused by aging lead to memory loss and personality changes known as senility. Wandering, excessive mewing, apparent disorientation, and avoidance of social contact are all symptoms seen in elderly cats.

How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Cat

Here are some important measures you can take as a pet owner to ensure your kitten’s longevity.

The Blue Cross recommends having your cat neutered within the first six months of his or her existence. This can prevent your cat from straying too far from home while looking for a potential mate. In addition to removing some risk factors associated with reproductive diseases.

The Blue Cross also stresses the importance of communicating with your veterinarian about your pet’s vaccination and check-up schedule on a regular basis.

According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. There is a substantial correlation between cats’ lifespans and their living environments. Due to a number of risk factors linked with spending a lot of time outside, indoor cats live about 10 years longer than outdoor cats. Limit your cats’ outdoor time, neuter them at the appropriate age. And have regular check-ups with their veterinarians to guarantee their long-term health.

These are the indicators that your cat will most likely live a lengthy life.

We all want our cats to live eternally (except when they wake us up at 6 a.m. for biscuits). And while feline immortality is still out of reach. It’s not uncommon for cats to live into their 20s – a commendable achievement for such diminutive creatures.

Two significant studies have pooled knowledge from a global team of veterinary experts on the common changes experienced by aging cats. Examining everything from musculoskeletal system wear and tear to cognitive and behavioral health.

The goal was to identify the signs of healthy aging in cats. Because while it’s widely accepted that owners and veterinarians can do a lot to guarantee the physical and mental health of older adults. That’s not much assistance if you don’t know what signs to look for.

If your cat matures properly, they may even live into their twenties. And who knows, maybe yours will outlive Creme Puff, the oldest known cat. Who survived to the age of 38 while eating bacon and eggs, asparagus, broccoli, and coffee with heavy milk.