Age is just a number, right? A Human who is 60 years old
may act like a young adult, while another human the same age may
at like he or she is on a deathbed. Cats are the same way! Your
pet may act like a kitten for many years or may be gray and achy
quite young. Specific breed, environment, and genetics play a
role, but in general, a well-cared for house cat usually lives
to be at least 15 years old. Some cats live to be well over 30.
There are things you can do, however, to provide your cat with
the chance for the longest life possible. For example, have your
cat spayed or neutered. Statistics show that fixed cats live
longer, because this causes the cat to stay closer to home and
be exposed to few dangerous situations and disease. Good
nutrition is also important. Make sure that you are buying cat
food that is appropriate for your cat’s age.
As you cat ages, certain medical conditions may cause you to
make special considerations for your cat. Examples include
reduced tolerance to extreme temperatures, decreased sensory
perception, susceptibility to infection, arthritis and joint
stiffness, digestion problems, liver and kidney problems, weaker
bones, cancer, muscle weakness, slow reaction, memory loss, high
blood pressure, and irritability. As you can see, aging cats
have many of the same problems as aging humans!
Along with a good diet, promote healthy amounts to exercise in
your cat. You can do this by allowing your cat to go outside and
by playing with your cat every day. Toys and environmental
pieces, like scratching posts, are great for encouraging your
cat to exercise. Remember, cats may spend a lot of the day
sleeping, which is fine. If you are overly concerned, talk to
your vet about your cat’s sleeping habits.
Preventative health care is, of course, important. Make sure
that your cat has regular checkups with the vet to make sure
everything is in check. You should also brush your cat’s teeth
daily and have your cat groomed regularly to prevent skin
diseases. As cats age, most grow to love grooming. Monitor your
cat for diet chances, changing sleep habits, and unsafe water
consumption. The key to graceful aging in a cat is and owner who
is well involved in his or her life. Make sure that you provide
advanced care for your cat as he or she grows, and your pet
should be a part of your life for a very long time.