Many new cat owners wonder how long their cats will live. Several factors affect a cat’s lifespan, including whether they’re indoor cats or outdoor cats, and how healthy they are. The life expectancy of an Indoor cat is usually over 20 years old while an outdoor cat can typically last 12 years or longer
In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to keep your feline friend living longer.
Keep Your Cat Indoors
Many experts agree that the best way to help a cat live a long life is to keep it indoors.  Cats are vulnerable to accidents outside, such as being hit by a car or getting an infectious disease from contact with other cats and wildlife. Some people choose to keep their cats outdoors, but it’s important to know that they can have shorter lifespans and often face health risks.
Feed Your Cat a Healthy Diet
When it comes to feeding your cat, the most important thing is to make sure that their cat food is healthy. This means giving them a variety of foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Some good foods include: wet food, canned food, kibble, fresh meat or poultry, eggs, yogurt and cheese.
Another important factor to consider when feeding your cat is their calorie intake. Make sure that they are not eating too much or too little, as this can lead to health problems down the line. Some cat owners give their cats more food than they need, thinking this will make the cats happy. This can lead to obesity, which can lead to some cat illnesses such as diabetes mellitus and arthritis.
Finally, make sure that their cat food is clean and fresh. If you can take care of these basics, you will help your cat live a longer and healthier life!
Provide Plenty of Water
Providing your cat with plenty of fresh water is one of the most important things you can do to help keep them healthy and happy. Your cat needs a daily amount of about 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight, so make sure to provide a reliable source of clean water. Feeding your cat wet food can also add to their water intake.
Keep Your Cat Active
One of the best ways to help keep your cat healthy and happy is to keep them active. A cat that is kept active will have more energy, which will help them stay healthy overall. A cat’s active play can help maintain good muscle tone. Cat owners of senior cats should encourage their cats to frequently engage in active play to keep them as active and healthy as possible.
There are a number of ways to keep your cat active, including playing with them, setting up a play area outside, and providing plenty of toys and activity options.
Providing a safe place for your cat to play is essential for their health and happiness. A feline’s natural instinct is to hunt and play, so providing them with an area where they can do these activities safely, such as a treehouse or screened porch, is important.
This will help keep them from getting overweight and obese, which can lead to heart problems and other illnesses.
Spray or Neuter Your Cat
One of the best ways to help your cat live longer is by having them spayed or neutered. Spayed and neutered cats typically live three to five years longer than cats that are not spayed or neutered. Cats who are spayed or neutered have a decreased risk of developing cancer and other health problems in later life. Additionally, cats who are spayed or neutered tend to have lower rates of urinary tract infections, which can be troublesome for both you and your cat.
Supplement Your Cat’s Diet
Some cat owners believe that they should feed their cat antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and supplements. While there are many products on the market which may be helpful in maintaining cat health, the cat owner should always consult the veterinarian before giving the cat any supplements.
Clean Your Cat’s Teeth
It is important to keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy. Cleaning their teeth regularly will help prevent dental and health issues down the road. Bacteria from infected gums can cause heart problems, sepsis, infect the jaw, and infect the sinuses. Professional dental cleanings, undertaken by your vet, can be expensive since they require the use of sedation, but they may be able to help your pet live a longer life.
Get Your Cat Checked by a Vet Regularly
One of the best ways to help your cat live longer is to get them checked by a veterinarian regularly.
Some factors that can affect the lifespan of a cat are not within the control of the cat owner. These factors include diseases which often have genetic causes. Regular veterinary exams can help your cat live longer since the veterinarian can screen for cat diseases and may notice symptoms that you may miss.
Regular veterinary checkups are important to protect the health of cats since treating a disease early is the best way to avoid the negative effects of the disease. This will help them stay healthy and prevent any major health issues from developing.
By following these simple steps, you can help your cat live a long life.
