| Helping cats live longer is always one of the major | | | | to collars and tags. If your cat is lost or stolen, it can |
| concerns for any owner, and there are several | | | | very easily be scanned and is fast becoming a |
| methods and preventative measures that you can | | | | mainstay in helping cats live longer. |
| take to help accomplish this. No one can tell for sure | | | | Nutrition and Vitamins: |
| exactly how long any cat will live and there have so | | | | Helping cats live longer will also depend on the diet |
| many advances in medicine that if an owner takes | | | | you feed them as cats have very special dietary |
| notice of them, it could add years to your cats life. | | | | needs. A lot of these needs are related to liver and |
| Genetics may play a roll, but not anywhere near the | | | | enzyme requirements in cats, and perhaps the most |
| role that prevention plays. The average lifespan of a | | | | important of all the nutrients is protein. Protein is a |
| cat is somewhere between 12 and 15 years of age, | | | | source of nitrogen, and your cat has a very difficult |
| but there have been several reported cases of cats | | | | time in regulating the rate in which their liver enzymes |
| living much longer than that. There is one thing that | | | | break down protein. If their diet is low in protein, the |
| any expert will have a hard time disputing; the better | | | | body will react in the only way it knows how. It will |
| you take care of your cat and the more you plan, | | | | begin to take protein out of the muscle structures, |
| the longer they will live. | | | | which can be catastrophic. |
| Indoor or Outdoor: | | | | Taurine, which is an amino, is essential for proper bile |
| Cats that live indoors, according to most statistics, | | | | formations, eye health, as well as helping your cats |
| will live twice as long if not three times as long as an | | | | heart to function properly. All cats require high levels |
| outdoor cat. If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, | | | | of taurine, but they have limited enzymes that can |
| they will live less than an indoor cat. Outdoor cats | | | | produce it from other amino acids. If this critical |
| face all kinds of potential hazards ranging from | | | | nutrient becomes deficient, it will affect your cats |
| accidents, poisoning of all kinds, as well as exposure | | | | heart, and well as cause retinal and reproductive |
| to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Cat fights are | | | | failures. If this occurs, there is very little chance of |
| one of the leading killers in outdoor cats, as well as | | | | your cat ever having a normal litter. |
| predators that are much more dangerous than dogs. | | | | Arginine is also an amino acid that is necessary in |
| Feral or stray cats will usually only live for a couple of | | | | helping your cat convert ornithine. Most animals can |
| years for several of these reasons, including | | | | do this naturally, but cats require arginine in this |
| starvation. | | | | conversion. If it is not found in adequate supplies, |
| Weight: | | | | they can not bind ammonia and may develop severe |
| Nothing is more cuddling than a slightly overweight | | | | salivation, which can very easily kill your cat. Your pet |
| cat, but outside of predators, there is nothing more | | | | will also require an active form of Vitamin A, as they |
| dangerous to your cats health than being overweight. | | | | lack the enzyme to convert beta-carotene to retinol, |
| It is the number one cause of Diabetes mellitus in | | | | which is the active form of this vitamin. If it is not |
| cats, as well as several other heath risks. If your cat | | | | found in sufficient supplies in their food, it must be |
| is overweight, they will start to have trouble | | | | supplemented. |
| breathing or walking in some cases. They may also | | | | Niacin, which is a B vitamin, is also critical in extending |
| be unable to tolerate excessive heat and may not be | | | | your cats life, as cats can not manufacture it in their |
| able to exercise properly. | | | | body. If this nutrient is deficient, it can cause the loss |
| Exercise: | | | | of appetite, inflamed gums, and hemorrhagic diarrhea, |
| Regular exercise is absolutely critical in helping cats | | | | which can be a life threatening situation. |
| live longer. It helps their blood as well as the oxygen | | | | Minerals: |
| circulation, and when this happens, it strengthens all | | | | There are also some minerals that are necessary for |
| of their internal organs. It is also critical for controlling | | | | helping cats live longer. Minerals perform many |
| weight and maintaining their skeletal strength. It also | | | | different functions in your cats body that include |
| helps your cat to fight arthritis, one of the leading | | | | formation of bones and cartilage, maintenance of fluid |
| cripplers of cats as they age. It may seem odd to | | | | and acid balance, as well as transportation of oxygen. |
| your neighbors to place a lease on your cat and walk | | | | If oxygen is not transported properly, it affects your |
| them, but this is not about neighbors; it is about | | | | cats blood, muscles, nerves, and the production of |
| helping your cat live longer. Leases are not just for | | | | hormones. Minerals work hand in hand with vitamins |
| dogs; they also work on cats. | | | | and enzymes in maximizing your cats body and their |
| Teeth: | | | | lifespan. |
| The teeth are perhaps the most important part of | | | | Insurance: |
| helping cats live longer. Severe dental disease will | | | | As an owner, could you afford a very sudden |
| directly affect your cats heart as well as their | | | | 1,000.00 emergency medial bill if something very |
| kidneys. Kidney failure is second to obesity as the | | | | drastic happens to your cat? Insurance for cats is |
| number one killer of cats, and it all starts with their | | | | very inexpensive and there are several very good |
| teeth. There are several heart and values infections | | | | plans, but it is still not widely utilized. It is very sad |
| that all begin with bacteria in the teeth. If you are | | | | the number of cases where a decision on whether a |
| not in the habit of brushing your cats teeth every 5 | | | | cat lives or dies is based on the cost of a treatment. |
| to 7 days, it is a good idea to start as it is never too | | | | This is perhaps one of the most important things you |
| late. Preventing tooth decay and tarter build up not | | | | could even do to help your cat live a longer and |
| only prevents calculus, abscessed teeth, and | | | | much healthier life. |
| periodontal disease; it will also extend your cat life. | | | | Summary: |
| Microchip Identification: | | | | Helping cats live longer is really a very simple matter |
| This is not about the mark of the beast; it is about | | | | of planning and some careful attention to your cats |
| identification of your cat if they become lost. | | | | special needs. This loving and loyal friend of yours |
| Microchips can very easy be placed under your cats | | | | wants nothing more in life than to live it as long as |
| skin by your veterinarian, and they are supplements | | | | they can with you. |