Today there are many breeds of cats, and each of them has its fans and opponents. But there is one question that unites all owners of these cute animals: how many cats live and how to care for them in old age?
How many cats live: analogies with humans
The life span of cats is influenced by a variety of factors: climate, living conditions (in the yard, in the room), diseases carried by the animal. Usually cats live to be 20 years old, but there are exceptions. The oldest cat managed to live up to 36 years. If we compare the "calendar" of the feline organism with our biorhythm, then this ratio will come out approximately. The age of a 1-month-old kitten is 8 months of age. 1 feline year is 15 human years, that is, a one-year-old cat or cat can be compared with a teenager. Accordingly, a 20-year-old cat is already “aksakal” - its age is 97 human years. The cat breed does not play a significant role. So, the answer to the question of how many Persian cats live will be like this: their life expectancy is 15-20 years. That is, they are able to live to a fairly advanced age. If we are talking about how many British cats live, then their age limit reaches about 15 years. But the numbers are conditional, since much depends on the conditions of detention.
There are times when it is difficult to determine the age of a cat - you won’t look for the owners of the animal left on the street to ask how old it is for months or years. In these cases, it is worth paying attention to the appearance of a cat or kitten. You can do this by looking at her teeth. So, in a 4-5 month-old kitten, the milk teeth are already beginning to change, this process ends in six months, and in a one-year-old animal it is already visible how the central incisors of the lower jaw have worn out. Erased fangs indicate that the animal is at least 5 years old. A 10-12 year old cat or cat is characterized by prolapse of the central incisors, while in 16-year-olds, in addition to the incisors, fangs also begin to fall out.
How to care for aging cats
How many cats live next to a person, how much their owners care about the question: how to slow down their aging? There is nothing impossible in this, because how many cats live depends primarily on the owners. You need to try to give her more attention in old age - often her well-being depends on the attitude of the owner. Of great importance is the diet. If a cat eats dry food, then you need to switch to a special food intended for aging cats. And try not to change its brand - animals at this age, like people, do not tolerate change. For problems with the digestive system (diarrhea, constipation, vomiting), it is recommended to feed the cat 3-4 times a day in small portions, like kittens are fed. The diet should contain succulent food and food that contains protein convenient for quick absorption - for example, yolks from soft-boiled eggs. It is worth contacting a veterinarian - perhaps the cat needs a special therapeutic diet.
Consult a doctor more often - if possible, call a veterinarian at your home so as not to injure the animal with trips to the clinic. In old age, cats, like people, worsen their sense of smell, vision and hearing. It is recommended that you check these feelings whenever possible. As you know, a cat will not eat anything without smelling it. This is especially true for dry food. Try to keep the smell of food so that it does not disappear. Put it in a bowl just before you feed the animal.
Older cats, especially if they have arthritis, may have bladder problems. This can be evidenced by frequent trips to the street or to the toilet tray. In the later stages of the disease, the cat may urinate involuntarily where it sleeps, lies or sits. Try to keep the toilet tray she goes in always clean.
The cat’s deep sleep is considered a sign of old age. An unexpected touch during sleep can make her angry or frightened. Therefore, do not let the cat get in the way of sleep at the place that she has chosen. Of course, all this is only part of the advice and much depends on the characteristics of a particular animal - sometimes even quite elderly cats differ in the same way with kitty agility. These cats probably will not come in handy.