About cats life expectancy issue?

Question

Ok, so I received these answers to one of my questions: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag6dJDxfUutydzUHWTXND2bsy6IX?qid=20070215170415AATyO5X

And they worried me. I mean, I understand that outdoor cats live a lot less than indoor ones. My two cats are year old and so far I've kept them inside. They've only been outdoors for a few months, or a couple of months. But I never let them outdoor for too long. I keep them out for a few weeks, then let them in again. What I mean is, how will that affect their life expectancy?

Answer 1

when they are outside they are eating rodents and bugs that most likely have been exposed to pesticides and other things that are bad for anyones health. it shortens life expectancy by increasing their chances of getting diseases and other things.

Answer 2

Why did you let them out to start with? My oldest indoor only cat will be 12 tomorrow, but he has only become an indoor only cat last fall. Before that he spent most of his time outdoors. My oldest indoor/outdoor cat was just shy of 16 (his b-day is today) when he passed, he'd be 26 now. Both of the cats were/are fixed males. They both were fantastic hunters. I really don't think indoor or outdoor makes too much of a difference. When it's their time, there's nothing you can do no mater what the age. My oldest cats was and is over 11 years old, next is a spayed female that will be 12 in July, she prefers the outdoors too. If a owner gets their cat fixed it will help curb the urge to fight over territory. Get them all the needed shot, rabies, distemper, feline leukemia, etc., this helps guard against a lot of diseases they can contract.

Answer 3

It depends on a lot of things. It's dangerous in general to let your cats stay outside for weeks, let alone one night. They could get hurt or in a bad fight far from your house, so you wouldn't really know they needed help. They could also get diseases from other animals or fleas. And there's always the chance someone would think they're strays and would take them in.

Not all outdoor cats have shorter lives because of actually living outside in the elements, although it can be hard on their bodies. If you took 4 cats for example, kept 2 inside and 2 outside. The indoor cats may live to the ages of 12 and 14, and die because of age related problems, kidney failure, heart failure, etc. The outdoor ones may live to 13 also, but one may get hit by a car at the age of 2 and die. So in that situation the average house cat was 13, and the average outdoor cat was 7 and a half.

I suggest making them indoor cats for their own safety. You seem to be a good, concerned pet owner so it would probably put your mind at ease if you kept them inside.

Answer 4

Outdoor cats generally have a shorter lifespan than indoor cats because 1) They are exposed to danger from other cats, dogs, wild animals with rabies, traffic, bad people, etc. 2) Outdoor cats are exposed to more disease. If your cats are going outdoors, they definitely should be vaccinated against disease and should be spayed or neutered to help prevent overpopulation. Unneutered pets result in unbelievable suffering of homeless animals and the needless deaths of millions of animals each year. If you have cats as companion animals, why don't you let them in every day. If you want them to be free to go outside, why dont you ask someone to help you install a cat door? Most cats want to spend time with their owners even if they do like to go outside.

The biggest thing is that no matter how long your cats live, you want them to be happy and healthy and safe. See your vet, give them good food and water, a safe shelter and lots of love and companionship.

Answer 5

How long can a cat live?
Of course it depends on breed, health maintenance, diet, and as in humans, it's genetic disposition to long or short life.

In 2002 I had to put my twenty (yes 20) year old Calico cat Maya to sleep due to CRF (Chronic Renal Failure).
She was totally an indoor cat, perhaps allowed to follow me out to my apartment deck for some sunshine and fresh air once in a while.
My own ignorance prevented me from recognizing the early signs of CRF and had I been a little smarter or had taken her to the Vet earlier, she probably would have lived another 4-5 years (according to the Vet).

So, best of luck with your cats...I wish you and them the longest of lives.
Be good to them, hide some treats around the house for them once in a while, but most of all have them checked periodically by the Vet (especially blood tests) and at the first sign of "something not right" get them to a Vet for a checkup.

Answer 6

My sweet little Gracie Lou change into 16&a million/2 after I had the Vet supply her the shot to positioned her to sleep. Many cats stay as a lot because the age of 20 or more effective if keept interior and treated.they choose reg. Vet care and footage.

Answer 7

Don't worry, your cats will live for a long time anyway. If you feed them right it's ok, give them 15 years +, but don't leave them out for too long! A few weeks sounds like a lot to me... 3 or 4 days per month maybe, but they require consistent feeding to live to their fullest..

Answer 8

It's a matter of being prey to other animals mostly. Coyotes, mountain lions, rouge dogs...that is what can really do it. Hey I grew up in the mountains with outside cats and it's a fact that we lost some to preditors. Just the same we had plenty that lived long healthy lives too.