In addition to a healthy diet, what are other tips for extending your cat's life?

Answer 1

I've got two kitties that are brother and sister (both fixed, no incest here) that are indoor/outdoor. I play with them about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Usually they entertain themselves. They see the vet once every year, unless Rootbeer has been bitten by a spider and Rolly gets her seasonal allergies, to get there shots and physical checkups. I give them plenty of attention and love. They are 14 years old now and have quite a few more years left.

Answer 2

Excercise and keeping the cat as an indoor cat.
Indoor cats wont get killed on the roads, become sick after eating something posionous, get attacked by other animals, come in contact with a cruel person etc

CAT'S AGE
EQUIVALENT HUMAN AGE
COMMENTS

2-3 - months cat
9-12 - months equiv human age
Kittens/humans weaned. Kittens are becoming less dependent on the mother.

4 months
2-3 years
Talking/adult communication in children. Under natural conditions, the kitten is fully independent of the mother.

6-12 months
12-15 years
Sexual maturity, most females now fertile and able to have young although they may not be fully-grown.

2 years
24 years
Could have raised children.

3-6 years
28-40 years
Human career-making

6-9 years
40-52 years
Middle age spread, menopause for some women.

9-13 years
52-65 years
Human menopause and retirement. Most cats are beginning to take things easier.

13-17 years
65-85 years
Active but ageing. Signs of senility in some individuals, senses less acute, injuries heal more slowly or incompletely. Internal organs less efficient.

17-19 years
83-92 years
Probably frail due to loss of bone density, subcutaneous fat and muscle tone. Skin more fragile. Hearing, sight and mobility affected. Less supple.

19-22 years
92-100 years
Amazing.

22+ years
100+ years
An exceptional individual

30 years
136 years
Several cats have recently attained this age.

34-36 years
152-160 years
Official longevity records noted in the Guinness Book of Records.

43 years
188 years
Unofficial (unverified) longevity claim; cat was apparently still active and was killed by a train.

Answer 3

Most important - keep your cat indoors. The average life span of an outdoor cat is only a few years.

Next - SPAY/NEUTER. Aside from being a nicer pet, they are less likely to have other problems such a uterine or breast cancer. It also prevents territorialism and fights.

Followed by vaccinations. Prevent disease, not try to cure it. For an INDOOR ONLY cat, my vet recommends initial shots for kittens (8 & 12 weeks for distemper [3 way shot]), Rabies at 4-6 months (required by law). The next year they need boosters for both distemper & Rabies. After that she recommends boosters only once every THREE years, not yearly. The reason for this is that they have discovered cats are suseptible to sarcomas (cancer) at the site of injection. We test our cats for leukemia periodically rather than risk the leukemia vaccine, because we don't take in strays (we show pedigree cats & won't take the risk). If you are apt to add a cat from the outside, discuss the risk vs. benefit of the leukemia shot. By the way, don't be totally alarmed by the sarcoma factor. The risk is increased by injection, but is still relatively rare.

Other health factors:

Premium cat food, preferably a mix of quality brands. The mix should prevent any deficiency that could occur (Diamond brand recently killed a bunch of dogs.) Wet food at least once a day.

Dental care. Poor teeth can cause a number of problems, including renal failure which is very common in old cats and it is terminal.

We use pet fountains (Drinkwell). These are *supposed* to encourage water consumption which in turn helps prevent renal failure. I honestly can't tell you if this is true, but the Drinkwell was developed by vets. So is it true or is it marketing? We've "only" used them for about 7 years, but the cats *love* them.

Exercise is good too. We have cat trees which encourage clawing in the right place as well as exercise. They chase each other up & down. :-) Interactive toys are also good (one of my cats finds the want with the fur strip whereever I hide it, then prances around with it). The same young cat plays fetch! :-)

Hope you enjoy your kitty for many years!

Answer 4

Well, here's some good info to help you with the healthy diet part:

http://www.catinfo.org

Another way is to avoid unnecessary vaccinations. (Not *all* vaccinations, just unnecessary ones.) Check this out to learn why:

http://www.vas-awareness.org

Keep kitty inside, get regular checkups with a vet (annual while kitty's young, semi-annual from middle age) and stay closely in tune with kitty so you'll immediately recognize any physical or behavioral changes that might signal trouble.

Here's a good site for feline health information, the site of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine:

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/

Answer 5

A deep freeze usually extends the cat's life by several years, but they are hard to thaw out. Be careful, don't use the microwave!

Answer 6

keep your cat inside, diet of quality food (if the first ingredient in a cat food has to do with corn, DON'T get it) I recomend natural choice complete care indoor formula. moniter your cat's weight. make sure your cat has enough stimulation with toys to play with when you aren't there and toys you play with with your cat (like string toys) Never leave string toys out for your cats if you aren't playing with them they will eat them and possiably get lodged in their intestines or wraped around them and may need surgery.

also brush your cat weekly, along with brushing your cat's teeth, trimming nails when they need it and cleaning out their ears.

make sure that there is nothing on the floor or anywhere where your cat can get that is or could be harmful to them, I sugget not having any plants except for pet grass and catnip if you do have plants, put them somewhere where your cat can't get.

Answer 7

Play...lots of interactive exercise. Cat food with no animal byproducts. There are studies that show most pets die from the food they eat all their lives containing animal by products.

Answer 8

Exercise, keep their teeth in good shape (there are treats that do that--Tarter Control...), no people food....and lot's of warm, high spots in the sun!!! If you don't have much time, those cat condos are great exercise for them...kind of pricey, but SO worth it!!

Answer 9

Keep him out of harm's way, provide exercise and stimulation, get him spayed/neutered, feed him the best food, provide affection, a play mate for him if possible, and get him regular checkups for his teeth, etc.

Answer 10

playing with her,showing her how much you love her!(i speak with''her'' cause i really consider my cats like some kind of humans,they seem 2 understand everything i say)