Helping Cats Live Longer
Will all begin with the type of diet and supplements you feed them



Helping cats live longer is always one of the major concerns for any owner, and there are several methods and preventative measures that you can take to help accomplish this.

No one can tell for sure exactly how long any cat will live and there have so many advances in medicine that if an owner takes notice of them, it could add years to your cat’s life.

Genetics may play a roll, but not anywhere near the role that prevention plays.

The average lifespan of a cat is somewhere between 12 and 15 years of age, but there have been several reported cases of cats living much longer than that.

There is one thing that any expert will have a hard time disputing; the better you take care of your cat and the more you plan, the longer they will live.

AN INDOOR OR OUTDOOR CAT ?

Older catsControlling your cats weight is the first step

Cats that live indoors, according to most statistics, will live twice as long if not three times as long as an outdoor cat.

If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, they will live less than an indoor cat.

Outdoor cats face all kinds of potential hazards ranging from accidents, poisoning of all kinds, as well as exposure to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

WAYS OF HELPING CATS LIVE LONGER

Cat fights are one of the leading killers in outdoor cats, as well as predators that are much more dangerous than dogs.

Feral or stray cats will usually only live for a couple of years for several of these reasons, including starvation.

Weight

Nothing is more cuddling than a slightly overweight cat, but outside of predators, there is nothing more dangerous to your cat’s health than being overweight.

It is the number one cause of Diabetes mellitus in cats, as well as several other health risks.

If your cat is overweight, they will start to have trouble breathing or walking in some cases.

They may also be unable to tolerate excessive heat and may not be able to exercise properly. Reducing your pets weight is very important in helping cats live longer

Exercise

Regular exercise is absolutely critical in helping cats live longer.

It helps their blood as well as the oxygen circulation, and when this happens, it strengthens all of their internal organs.

It is also critical for controlling weight and maintaining their skeletal strength.

It also helps your cat to fight arthritis, one of the leading cripplers of cats as they age.

It may seem odd to your neighbors to place a lease on your cat and walk them, but this is not about neighbors; it is about helping your cat live longer. Leases are not just for dogs; they also work on cats.

Teeth

The teeth are perhaps the most important part of helping cats live longer. Severe dental disease will directly affect your cat’s heart as well as their kidneys.

Kidney failure is second to obesity as the number one killer of cats, and it all starts with their teeth.

There are several heart and values infections that all begin with bacteria in the teeth.

If you are not in the habit of brushing your cats teeth every 5 to 7 days, it is a good idea to start as it is never too late

tooth decay and tarter build up not only prevents calculus, abscessed teeth, and periodontal disease; it will also extend your cat life.

Microchip Identification

This is not about the mark of the beast; it is about identification of your cat if they become lost.

Microchips can very easy be placed under your cat’s skin by your veterinarian, and they are supplements to collars and tags.

If your cat is lost or stolen, it can very easily be scanned and is fast becoming a mainstay in helping cats live longer.

NUTRITION AND VITAMINS

Helping cats live longer will also depend on the diet you feed them as cats have very special dietary needs.

A lot of these needs are related to liver and enzyme requirements in cats, and perhaps the most important of all the nutrients is protein.

Protein is a source of nitrogen, and your cat has a very difficult time in regulating the rate in which their liver enzymes break down protein.

If their diet is low in protein, the body will react in the only way it knows how.

will begin to take protein out of the muscle structures, which can be catastrophic.

Taurine, which is an amino, is essential for proper bile formations, eye health, as well as helping your cat’s heart to function properly.

All cats require high levels of taurine, but they have limited enzymes that can produce it from other amino acids.

If this critical nutrient becomes deficient, it will affect your cats heart, and well as cause retinal and reproductive failures.

If this occurs, there is very little chance of your cat ever having a normal litter.

Arginine is also an amino acid that is necessary in helping in converting ornithine.

Most animals can do this naturally, but cats require arginine in this conversion.

If it is not found in adequate supplies, they cannot bind ammonia and may develop severe salivation, which can very easily kill your cat.

Your pet will also require an active form of Vitamin A, as they lack the enzyme to convert beta-carotene to retinol, which is the active form of this vitamin.

If it is not found in sufficient supplies in their food, it must be supplemented.

Niacin, which is a B vitamin, is also critical in extending your cats life, as cats cannot manufacture it in their body.

If this nutrient is deficient, it can cause the loss of appetite, inflamed gums, and hemorrhagic diarrhea, which can be a life threatening situation.

Minerals

There are also some minerals that are necessary for helping cats live longer.

perform many different functions in your cat’s body that include formation of bones and cartilage, maintenance of fluid and acid balance, as well as transportation of oxygen.

If oxygen is not transported properly, it affects your cat’s blood, muscles, nerves, and the production of hormones.

Minerals work hand in hand with vitamins and enzymes in maximizing your cat’s body and their lifespan.

Insurance

As an owner, could you afford a very sudden 1,000.00 emergency medical bill if something very drastic happens to your cat?

Insurance for cats is very inexpensive and there are several very good plans, but it is still not widely utilized.

It is very sad the number of cases where a decision on whether a cat lives or dies is based on the cost of a treatment.

This is perhaps one of the most important things you could even do in helping cats live longer.

Summary

Helping cats live longer is really a very simple matter of planning and some careful attention to your cats special needs.

This loving and loyal friend of yours wants nothing more in life than to live it as long as they can with you.

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