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The average cat’s lifespan is around 15 years. While a cat’s lifespan indoors can range from 12 to 18 years, some pet cats even live for up to 20 years. Outdoor cats lead significantly riskier lives as they are more prone to accidents and being attacked by other outdoor animals. Moreover, they often cannot receive medical attention in cases of ailments or injuries. This leads to them have a shorter life expectancy in comparison to their indoor counterparts.
As a pet parent, you would want your fur baby to live a long and healthy life. It’s common sense that feeding your cat a high-quality diet has its benefits. But when it comes to maximizing your cat’s lifespan, diet is only part of the equation. Read up on everything you need to do to ensure your cat lives happily for a long time to come.
A cat’s age span is divided into six stages. To understand how you can maximise your cat’s life expectancy, it is necessary to understand these life stages.
From birth till 6 months, the cats are in their earliest years and are called ‘kittens’. They undergo quick development during this time and require a lot of nutrients.
From 6 months to 2 years of age, cats are considered ‘juniors’. During this time, they reach sexual maturity and develop a personality. When your cat is about a year old, they can be switched from kitten food to adult cat food.
Between the age of 3 to 6 years, cats are considered to have reached their ‘prime’ age. They will be in their best physical condition during this time. However, do make sure that you still take your cat to the vet for regular check-ups.
Cats are considered to be in their ‘mature’ life stage between 7 to 10 years of age. During this time, they might become less active. This might even cause them to put on some extra weight, so you may have to make changes to their diet. You may also have to add some extra vitamins to meals to improve immunity. This will be an important step in maximizing cat life expectancy.
Between 11 to 14 years of age, cats are considered seniors and are at a higher risk of catching an illness. Ensure that you make regular visits to the vet and consult them frequently to ensure that your fur baby is not missing out on nutrition.
At the age of 15 years or higher, cats are at the ‘geriatric’ life stage. During this time, they may remain mostly inactive and need more attention.
Here is a brief guide to explain what the average age of cats is in human years:
When a cat turns 2 years of age, it is considered equivalent to a human turning 24 years old.
After a cat turns 2, each following year in their life amounts to 4 human years. So, when a cat is 3 years old, it amounts to 28 human years; when 4 years old, it amounts to 32 human years, and so on.
Knowing what affects your pet’s lifespan can help you take the right steps to prolong longevity.
Let’s start with something you do every day: feed your cat. There are several healthy options to choose from, so we’ll help you zero in on the formula that’s best for your cat. It’s important to note that cats are natural carnivores. Therefore, a formula with meat as the primary ingredient is a great place to start. Meat as a protein source has certain nutrients, such as taurine, that non-meat protein sources simply do not. Also, along with a proper diet, ensure your cat stays hydrated.
Regular visits to the veterinarian can help nip health issues in the bud. For instance, a vet will be able to tell if your cat is gaining too much weight and can recommend a diet and fitness program to get your kitty back to a healthy size.
You may even want to bring a fresh faecal sample along to your next appointment. Your vet can use this sample to search for ringworms. This tip can save you extra trips to the vet’s office in case your cat does not cooperate, so to speak, during their appointment.
Also, vets provide your cat with the vaccinations they need to fight off diseases such as feline rabies. Some vaccinations are required annually, while others should be administered every three years. Your vet’s office can help you keep track of it all, so remember to schedule that appointment!
Your cat relies on you for more than just healthy food and fresh water. They need stimulation. Sure, cats love their independence, but let’s be honest, they love getting attention. By playing with your cat for even 10 to 15 minutes a day, you are doing wonders for their lifespan. Some great games to play don’t even require fancy toys. Get a piece of string and tie it around a clean sock, then yank the string whenever your cat comes in close to investigate. Voila! Instant fun!
Cats don’t go on runs as dogs do, so keeping your cat active with games and toys is the best way to help keep them fit. About 30 minutes of exercise or playing in a day is enough to have a significantly positive impact on maximizing your cat’s lifespan.
If your pet’s teeth are left unclean, they can develop plaque and tartar which can cause severe problems like pain, tooth loss, or kidney ailments. So, ensure that you take your cat for regular dental check-ups.
Follow these tips and your cat will be on her way to a long and happy life with you. You’re a great owner for taking the time to read this article. It shows how much you really care about her. Now step away from the computer and show your cat some attention!
According to a recent study, a cat's taste buds are very different compared to other animals. They possess more receptors for bitterness than sweetness, this makes most cats very finicky and picky about what they eat. Lack of poor eating habits can thus lead to poor nourishment and unhealthy development. Hence, cat parents are required to pay special attention to what their kitties eat, how much they eat, and how often. Feeding them a bowl full of treats and meals is not enough, caregivers also need to consider the nutritional value of their feline friend’s meal.
Choosing the right cat food to provide an adequate amount of vitamins for cats is important. Besides, being carnivorous animals, cats prefer animal-based products over the plant-based ones. IAMS develops cat food using high-quality animal-based protein that includes essential amino acids required for your kitty’s nourishment.
Cats need specific nutrients for appropriate growth and development. Components like vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and fat are some of the essential nutrients present in good-quality cat food. Cats can get most of these nutrients from food like dairy, bone meal, legume plants, animal organs, and dietary supplements. The following are the necessary cat food nutrients to look for:
Look for the following to ensure you only invest in the best meals for your cats when buying cat food:
You can also choose IAMS cat food to feed your kitty a complete and nourishing meal. IAMS cat food contains unique fatty acids that result in healthier skin, shiny fur, adequate membrane structure, and improved health. Besides, the fermented fiber present in IAMS products improves intestinal health by boosting your kitty’s digestive and gastrointestinal functions.
With our wide range of cat foods, you can choose the one that fits your pet’s needs and preference. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult is made with love to ensure your cat has a shiny coat, healthy skin, and strong muscles. It comes in different flavors like Chicken, Tuna and Salmon Meal as well as Chicken and Salmon Meal.
If you are concerned about issues like unhealthy weight and hairball, you can include IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care. It is loaded with L-carnitine, natural fiber and high-quality protein for weight management and hairball care.
The following are some essential minerals for cats:
Cats need potassium for nerve function, muscular contraction, and heart rhythm as this mineral is an electrolyte.
Calcium is an important mineral for bone and teeth growth.
This mineral ensures muscle contraction, provides hydration, and powers nerve impulses.
Sodium and chloride work together as electrolytes to maintain acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and hydration.
This mineral is essential for your metabolism and vital growth. It also supports your teeth and bone health.
Cats need iron for transporting energy in their bodies.
This mineral works in conjunction with vitamin E and works as an essential antioxidant.
Cats require copper for bone growth, skin pigmentation as well as the absorption and transportation of iron.
This mineral is significant for enzyme function and digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in cats.
Another essential mineral for cats is zinc. They need it for metabolising lipids, protein, nuclei, and carbohydrates.
This mineral for cats is important for the development of thyroid hormones.
A lack of vitamins can result in the abnormal functioning of essential enzymes in cats. Hence, vitamins are important for its healthy growth and development. The following are some of the most essential vitamins for cats:
This vitamin improves the cat’s vision, bone, dental, reproduction, mucous membrane, and skin health. Kittens and pregnant cats need more vitamin A compared to adult and senior cats.
Cats need vitamin B12 for metabolising fat and carbohydrate. This vitamin is also necessary for a cat’s nerve conduction.
Cats require a minimum of 280 IU of vitamin D per kilogram of food as this vitamin helps in improving their calcium and phosphorous levels. Both calcium and phosphorous are necessary for better bone density, hence vitamin D is one of the most essential vitamins for cats.
Every adult cat should consume at least 1 to 3 IU of vitamin E per day as this vitamin is an essential antioxidant that protects them from cell oxidative damage.
Cats need very little vitamin K for preventing their blood from clotting.
This vitamin is necessary for releasing energy from fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Riboflavin deficiency may result in anorexia, bilateral cataracts, fatty liver, testicular hypoplasia, and periauricular alopecia.
It improves carbohydrate metabolism in cats. Lack of this vitamin may result in weight loss, vomiting, neurological distress, impaired vision, dilated pupils, vestibular signs, and seizures.
Niacin deficiency may result in fever, oral mucosa, tongue ulcer, and weight loss. This vitamin is essential for breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins present in food.
Important for the synthesis of DNA and methionine (an amino acid), folic acid deficiency may cause anemia, weight loss, and leukopenia.
This vitamin is necessary for digesting amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids.
Biotin deficiency may cause skin issues in cats. This vitamin helps in the formation of fatty acids, certain amino acids, and DNA/RNA in cats.
Choline is an important neurotransmitter for the cell membranes and lipid.
Therefore, when buying cat food for your feline friend, make sure to check if it contains all the necessary nutrients to aid their better growth and development. You can also buy supplements to provide the necessary vitamins for cats. However, it is best to consult a veterinarian before choosing a new cat food brand or supplements for added vitamins and minerals for cats.
