The life expectancy of your average cat is around 15 years. Indoor cats seem to survive a few more years due to better conditioning and health care. In order to ensure that your cat lives longer, you must take care of its heath. Here are 10 suggestions – different measures one can take to ensure healthy and long life of their cats!
1.Water Consumption Is Very Important!
You may not have thought too much about this, but many cats do not consume adequate amounts of water without encouragement. Encourage water consumption for your cat through the use of canned foods (which have a much higher moisture content than kibble), water fountains, dripping faucets, or by adding water to their dry cat food.
2. Cats Need to Exercise.
Keeping your cat lean and in shape is another contributing factor to giving your cat a long and healthy life. Overweight cats are more prone to a number of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, skin disease, respiratory disease.
3.Groom Your Kitty Regularly.
Though cats naturally groom themselves for many hours each day, indoor cats especially may end up with extra hair that then shows up in hairballs. Regular grooming will certainly cut down on excess hair both in your house and in your cat’s stomach.
4.Note Any Behavioral Changes.
Cats are creatures of habit, and even a tiny change in behavior could indicate a potentially life-threatening health issue.
5.Make Sure All of Your Cat’s Vaccinations Are Up-to-Date.
One sure-fire way to increase the life expectancy of your fur-baby is to make sure that your pet has all of the required vaccinations.
6.Try to Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Clean.
Your cat’s teeth speak volumes about his general health.Chronic tarter, gingivitis and plaque all contribute to bacterial growth and seeding to the rest of the body, just as in humans, which may lead to further health issues.
7.Watch Out For Too Much Weight Loss.
On the flipside, weight loss can also be a symptom of a serious health condition.
8.Don’t Allow Your Cat to Become Obese!
Although you may love to feed your cat with the best of food very often to show him your love, you may want to think twice before over-feeding them. An obese cat is more prone to such diseases as diabetes, arthritis and cardiac arrest, which eventually shortens their life expectancy. You can also play around with your pet whenever you can so that it burns out the excess calories.
9.Keep Your Cat Indoors All The Time.
It’s common knowledge that cats who live indoors have a much higher life expectancy than those who are allowed to go outside. Outdoor cats are far more likely to succumb to being struck by vehicles or by being exposed to diseases such as feline leukemia, as well as toxins and harsh weather. In this day and age you also need to worry about strangers, people. Not everyone likes cats. There are people in this world who won’t hesitate to harm an unsuspecting cat, and just for kicks!
10.Regular Veterinary Visits Are Essential.
All cats need to see a vet on a regular basis for check-ups, not only for dental examinations but for a thorough examination of your cat from nose to tail. Cats certainly are masters of disguise when it comes to disease. Even the most observant cat owner may be unable to spot the early signs of some serious illness.
