EXPERTS SAY 1 HABIT COULD HELP CATS LIVE FOR MUCH LONGER
Cat owners could help their animals live longer by getting them to follow one major habit. A recent report claims that there are around 10.2 million cats that are owned across the UK, and most cats can expect to live for 11.7 years or more.
The Cats Protection chairty claim that a cat's life expectancy will depend on many factors, including health, weight, breed, sex, neuter status and their environment. But, one habit could improve their odds even further.
Cats that go outdoors are more likely to encounter risks such as road traffic accidents, fights with other cats and other dangers that could put their life expectancy at risk. The same report hgihlighted that fears over cats getting hurt or lost means more owners are choosing to keep their cats indoors.
A Cats Protection spokesperson said: "The risks of your cat being involved in a road traffic accident or fighting with another cat are higher at night. We recommend keeping them indoors when it's dark."
But, keeping a cat indoors could restrict them from getting enough exercise. If pet owners want their cat to experience the outdoors, it is best to provide controlled, supervised access like a harness, leash, or a secure outdoor enclosure.
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The charity added: "It's important that indoor cats are able to perform behaviours that express their natural cat-like nature. If they can't, it leads to stress, which in turn may result in problem behaviours such as spraying or scratching in unwanted areas of the home, obsessive grooming or physical illness."
Almost a quarter (24%) of cat owners surveyed believe their pets will live longer if kept indoors. But, there are still risks associated with being an indoor pet - either semi-permanently or all the time.
A Cats Protection spokesperson said: "[Cats] can still develop diseases or illnesses that shorten their lifespan. The indoor environment predisposes to obesity and diseases that are related to a sedentary lifestyle, such as diabetes and lower urinary tract disease.
"Currently there is limited evidence to suggest that adopting either an indoor or outdoor lifestyle results in a significantly longer lifespan. Both indoor and outdoor cats experience different potential risks to their welfare."
How to help your cat live longer
There are some more ways that responsible pet owners can help increase the life expectancy of their cat:
- Get them neutered: Cat's Protection claims that neutered cats tend to live longer. Possible reasons for this include the fact that neutered cats are less likely to roam far from home and to have close contact with other cats, reducing the risk of injury and the spread of disease.
- Have regular vet checks and get vaccinations: The charity claims that taking your cat to the vet for a check-up at least once a year will help you catch any health issues early so they can receive effective treatment. Make sure your cat is up to date with all their vaccinations, as this will help to protect them from "nasty diseases" that could shorten their life
- Encourage exercise: Whether your cat goes outdoors or not, try to spend a little bit of time each day encouraging them to play. This will help them get some exercise and stay physically fit.
- Feed a healthy diet: Make sure your cat is eating a complete cat food that is suitable for their age. This will provide all the nutrients they need for a long, healthy life. Avoid giving too many cat treats as these can be high in calories and cause them to put on weight.
