Long gone are the days when our feline friends struggled with their age. Today, as cats grow closer to humans fostering lifelong friendships of love and happiness, they are proving to us all that age, is in fact, just a number. With growing veterinary services, good quality cat food, and broadened knowledge on feline care, it’s almost too easy for our cats to be healthy and age gracefully - as long as we take good care of them!
How long do most cats live?
Healthy cats, i.e. those that are fed wholesome, balanced, age-appropriate meals in accordance with their activity level, live well up to 15-20 years.
In order for cats to age well, they need to live in what’s called a stress-free environment - one that doesn’t have any behavioural triggers like separation anxiety, excessive scratching, aggressive biting, yowling etc.
What causes early death in cats?
- Heart Attacks
- Cancer - Lymphoma and Leukaemia
- Obesity and obesity-related health complications Stress/Anxiety
- Feline Heartworm Disease
- Viral Infections
How can I help my cat age gracefully?
Remember, ageing gracefully is all about holistic health. A cat might be on the best quality food out there, but if he is stressed, that will take him away faster than any physical disease.
Pay close attention to mental health
As cats age, certain things that didn't act as stressors in adulthood may cause stress in them now. For example, a cat who enjoyed the company of guests may now feel less enthusiastic about playing a good host. Mental health in cats is very fragile - most often, you wouldn't even know that a cat is in pain/discomfort because they are so good at hiding it. However, this pain/discomfort causes stress that in turn affects their mental health.
Routine Veterinary Visits
Once a cat enters seniorhood, veterinary checkups must be scheduled once every two to three months. The reason veterinarians insist on routine checkups is for the simple reason that some diseases are occult (hidden) and don't show symptoms until the very end - cancer being one of them. With routine medical checkups, your cat can benefit from early detection and prompt treatment of any disease/disorder.
Regular Checkups at Home
Always remember to carry out weekly checkups at home - look for lumps, bumps, and sores alongside unexplained bleeding or discharge from the nose, teeth, ears, or penis/vagina. Any sign of vomiting, loose stools, constipation, change in toileting habits, lethargy, stiffness, and confusion must be reported to the veterinarian immediately.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Tartar buildup on gums can cause gingivitis if left untreated. Hence, regular dental scaling is a must. In addition to looking after the health of your cat's teeth, it is important to pay close attention to any foul odours, broken teeth, swollen gums, pale gums, dry tongue, and bleeding that might occur in the mouth.
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