The average lifespan of street cats is only 5-8 years, and domestic cats – 12-18 years. But there are also real centenarians: the oldest cat listed in the Guinness Book of Records has lived in the United States for 38 years. Unfortunately, not all pets live to old age.
And if nothing can be done in terms of heredity and genetics, it is entirely possible to surround the cat with care, and provide adequate nutrition and high-quality medical care in order to prolong its life. The main thing is to know the factors that determine the life span of the animal in order to understand which of them can be affected.
Genetics
Cats can be transmitted to some hereditary diseases. In pedigree breeds, as a rule, there are more of them, because in order to best accentuate the characteristics of the breed, mating often occurs between close relatives. Therefore, cats and hybrids are considered the healthiest. But even among the pedigree there are those who can boast of good health – this is the Bengal cat, Maine Coon, Russian Blue, Siamese and others. The average life span of representatives of these breeds is 13-20 years. Some of them have lived for more than two decades.
Chronic diseases
Unfortunately, if a cat suffers from some type of chronic disease, it is unlikely that she will be able to set a record for longevity, even if she does live with loving owners who take care of her and take care of her. Diabetes mellitus, urolithiasis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract – these and other diseases shorten the life of the animal.
Habitat
Street cats face dangers every day: stubborn illnesses and infections, poisoned food or dog attacks, the possibility of crashing into a car or being harassed. If a domestic cat goes for a walk from the sea, and does not have to live every day, being in the largest of her lost relatives, she will realize that she is waiting on the street. Pets, protected from fluctuations, always live.
Food
A complete and balanced meal will definitely extend the life of your cat. But do not forget that she should not only eat properly, but also receive vitamins and minerals. Therefore, veterinarians advise feeding pets ready-made feeds that contain all the necessary nutrients. But the food should be of high quality: cheap versions of suspicious brands, as a rule, contain no more than 10% of meat, but there is an excess of vegetable protein and chemical components that negatively affect the animal’s body and can contribute to the development of various diseases.
Spaying
Spayed cats and neutered cats live longer, as they do not run the risk of developing serious diseases in the genital area, the risks of developing tumors are significantly reduced, and hormonal disorders do not occur, which puts great stress on the body. Of course, sterilization also has its drawbacks: in particular, it can lead to weight gain and diabetes. However, if you follow your pet’s diet and do not overfeed it, these problems can be avoided.
Stress
The cat is like a child.
It’s not enough to just live in a warm home and have a good, balanced diet. For a pet to live a long and happy life, it must be in an environment full of love and care.
If their owners constantly swear and shout at each other, and physically punish the animal, it is unlikely that it will become a long-livers due to its constant stress.
