The science that studies domestic cats is called felinology. Scientists felinologists investigate the structure of animals, study the conditions of their maintenance. The interest of unusual science includes the study of the standards of existing cat breeds, their improvement and breeding of new ones. Felinologists argue that the average life expectancy of cats is due to a natural set of genes, including pedigree.
When Does Pussy Retire?
Statistics compiled by the researchers confirm that over the past forty years, domestic cats on average began to live longer for three years. The life expectancy of domestic cats has increased from six to nine years. Moreover, at nine years old the cat is not considered old.
The status of an elderly pet gets, having reached twelve years. This is confirmed by the fact that current pet owners are very serious in preventing the aging of their pets.
From a very early age, kittens are under the supervision of veterinarians, due attention is paid to the balanced nutrition of animals at any age.
If the cat or cat is of retirement age, this does not mean that they will constantly lie on the couch or in their house. They remain as playful, curious and affectionate as before.
Only now has a serious stage in their life begun. Owners should consider the contents of aged pets in order to provide food and care in accordance with their age.
Thoroughbred centenarians. First five
Studying the pedigree characteristics of cats, felinologists came to the conclusion that the life expectancy of cats, among other factors, depends on the breed. They live longer than others:
- proud and independent Siamese cats;
- Thai breed - one of the ancients;
- American Shorthair - America’s national pride;
- tailless breed Manx;
- Scottish fold, or Scottish fold.
They easily live up to twenty years. The life expectancy of Scottish cats in some cases reached twenty-two years.
For a man, it's one hundred and four years! Of course, their owners took into account primarily the old age of their pets, creating conditions of existence and nutrition.
The second five breeds living long
The longevity of cat breeds is slightly behind:
- Russian blue, having a proud aristocratic appearance;
- friendly asian tabby.
They live up to nineteen years. Almost as much, just a few months less, the life of the breeds lasts:
- Devon Rex, bred in the sixties of the last century;
- Asian longhair (or tiffany) - intelligent and "talkative";
- Japanese bobtail is a short-tailed favorite of the Japanese.
Average life
Breeds of cats, artificially bred by humans, live slightly less than the ancient ones, the genotype of which took centuries.
For example, one of the largest cats - mei-kun - lives up to seventeen years. Furry pets Persian cats delight their owners for fifteen to sixteen years. The life expectancy of British cats is also one and a half decades.
The life of animals, of course, is influenced by many other factors - living conditions, food quality, past illnesses.
The average life expectancy of a domestic cat is twelve to fifteen years.
Homeless Life Outside
Alas, the long-livers of homeless kitties do not become. They survive in difficult street conditions:
- danger to life is created by other animals, cars, people;
- diseases that stray animals endure without treatment and good nutrition;
- stress from heat or cold;
- half-starved existence almost from a young age;
- wounds and injuries received in fights.
The life expectancy of cats leading street life ranges from five to eight years.
While pets, due to their care and regular feeding, maintain good health until old age.
Pet life
Outbred cats, when kept at home, also hunt until old age, alert and active in life. Of course, pets also do not always live to be fifteen to twenty years old. But housekeeping provides them with a good and long life.
Attentive attitude to the venerable age of furry pets will help them live longer. Are needed:
- balanced quality nutrition, matched by age;
- small but regular physical activity;
- consultations and examinations of the animal at the veterinarian;
- possibly sterilization (castration).
Although these conditions are not a guarantee of longevity, it is they that create the prerequisites for good health in old age.
In the Guinness book, a cat named Krim Puff, who lived thirty-eight years, is noted.
Veterinarian Tips
The life expectancy of cats at home significantly increases with careful attention to their health. Veterinarians give cat owners effective advice:
1. Give the cat enough water. Optimally, it should always be where the cat can drink. This is especially important when feeding dry feed. Water needs to be changed regularly.
2. Cats need movement. It is good to play with the pet more often, or to provide a sufficient number of toys.
3. Need for grooming. Despite the fact that cats are clean animals, they need to be combed from time to time, to cut down the fur coats of the pussies, and sometimes washed.
4. A change in the behavior of a pet can talk about health problems. In this case, a veterinarian consultation is urgently needed.
5. Regular vaccinations will help to avoid many diseases.
6. The teeth of cats should be kept in order. Oral health for predators is the key to survival.
7. It is necessary to control the weight. Abrupt weight loss is most likely due to health problems. Especially when cats can walk on the street on their own.
8. Overfeeding is also very harmful. The heart, liver, kidneys of the animal suffer. The food should be in moderation.
9. Domestic cats that are not allowed to walk outside live longer. They will not catch infections, and the risk of an accident is much lower.
10. The guarantee of health will be a regular visit to the veterinarian. Most feline diseases are easily treated in the initial stages. Only a specialist will detect them.
Domestic cat longevity and sterilization
The main decision of the owner, affecting the life span of the animal, is the question of sterilization or castration.
Doctors examined the effect of castration on the average life expectancy of cats at home, as well as on pet behavior and the development of certain diseases. Pet owners should be aware that neutered cats and sterilized cats live longer. Specific behavior is corrected: vagrancy, territory marks with urine, male aggression against rivals.
Castrated animals are thus protected from almost all tumors of the feline reproductive system. It must be borne in mind that castration slows down the metabolic rate. Therefore, lower daily calorie requirements are lower.
In this regard, castrated animals are at risk of obesity. You have to reduce the daily amount of calories consumed by a cat. You can use special feeds for castrated and sterilized animals. They are sold at pet stores.
Signs of the onset of aging
Cats and cats begin to age after about seven years. But they consider them elderly only by the age of twelve.
Pets eat less food. Instead of walking or playing, they prefer to sleep peacefully in a quiet corner. Wool may thin out, and bald patches may form. Scratches or wounds heal longer.
Most vulnerable:
- stomach and intestines;
- kidneys
- teeth;
- a heart;
- nerves;
- sight and hearing.
Features of the behavior of an elderly cat
The cat begins to emotionally respond to the slightest changes in the surrounding habitual life. This can be a rearrangement of furniture, a change in feeding time, just moving the tray. And the appearance of another pet causes real stress. Behavior may change:
- Anxiety or timidity arises from loss of hearing, vision, or some nervous diseases.
- Kitty sometimes does not have time to go to the tray. This can be caused by kidney problems or bone disease. Then it is better to put several trays at home.
- Sleep problems can cause arthritis. It causes pain in the evenings and nights.
- Hostility and aggressiveness are caused by stress, pain, and character changes.
No need to be offended by an elderly pet. This is affected by the years, and this is not his fault.
How to feed an elderly cat
After about nine years, cats need to change their diet. Concern for living conditions increases the life span of cats.
Feeding guidelines for older pets:
- Remove fatty foods from the diet.
- Food should be grated. It does not depend on the condition of the teeth, just the stomach becomes weaker, heavy food will stagnate, creating problems with stools.
- Important calcium with phosphorus, as well as taurine. Grated low-fat marine fish with stewed vegetables will provide them. The dish is ideal for the prevention of many diseases.
- Sour-milk products are very useful. They help digestion, provide necessary vitamins.
- Rice, oatmeal, buckwheat and vegetables are rich in potassium. This element is good for the heart and will prevent cramps.
- Water is important. Free access to it normalizes all the processes of the cat's body.
- Special vitamins are hardly absorbed after ten years, so it is better to consult a veterinarian.
- Ready food should be of good quality. Fat content less than 10%. The amount of protein is like for kittens. The same applies to the content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium.
- Do not give salty food.
Although they say that the cat walks by itself, she is a pet. Without human involvement, her life becomes noticeably shorter. The owners' care, their attention and good nutrition of cats will prolong the life of animals and provide comfort in old age.
Do not despair if the fluffy pet is already ten, this is just an excuse to take care of him a little more.