The oldest cat to ever live died at the age of 38.
On average indoor cats live between 10 - 15 years.
So what health tips can we learn from the oldest cats in the world?
As a cat owner I want my cats Teemo and Arya to live as long as possible.
I care deeply about them and I hope we can grow old together.
I hope I can delay the day Teemo and Arya leave me forever.
I am the Cat Butler and Today we will explore strategies that can help make your cats
live longer.
Regular visits to the vet can help spot life threatening health conditions before they become a problem.
You have a better chance of treating it before it is too late.
Cats hide when they are sick because in the wild weakness makes them prime targets for predators.
So as cat parents, we need to be on our A game in monitoring their health.
Routine lab tests and regular wellness exams can help veterinarians identify
serious health conditions early, and potentially save your cat’s life.
For example I take Teemo and Arya to the vet twice a year for wellness
exams and blood work done once a year. Blood work can be used to determine the general
health of the liver, kidneys, and other organs. This can help spot common cat diseases early
and help improve the chances of your cat living longer.
If you want to learn more about common cat diseases and how to prepare for them,
I will link the video in the description below.
Having a smart and caring veterinarian is just as important in making your cat live a long and healthy life.
Before making a decision about your vet, consider online reviews, experience,
educational background, and if they share the same love and care for your cat.
Having a good veterinarian will guarantee your cat gets the best medical care.
Going to the vet often doesn’t matter if the vet is not good.
So make sure you do your research. If cost is an issue you can check
out my video on pet insurance that I will link in the description below.
Frequent, moderate exercise keeps muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments strong.
And it's good to get the heart rate up a little every day.
As your cat gets older they gain extra weight
that makes arthritis worse and obesity that can lead to diabetes.
Exercise can help make your cat lose weight and help your cat live longer.
So what can you do to help your cat get some exercise?
You can get your cat a playmate. My cats Teemo and Arya
like to hunt each other around the house. This is a great way to burn a lot of energy
and is mentally stimulating for your cats.
You can also play with your cat. Such as with a cat toy.
Or sometimes I get creative. For Christmas, I built a lego
train set for my cats to hunt around the house. I put their favorite cat treats in the cargo.
And Teemo chased the train for hours. It was a fun way for my cats to exercise.
I got the inspiration for the Lego Train from studying the oldest cat that ever lived,
Cream Puff, who lived to an incredible age of 38 years old.
His owner Jake had an electric model train running around the house
for Cream Puff to chase and hunt.
The owner also raised another cat named Grandpa Rex Allen who lived to 34 years old.
Jake mentioned that mental and physical stimulation were key to his cat’s long life.
The takeaway is that the more active your cat is, the longer they may live.
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To live a long and healthy life your cat needs proper nutrition.
One of the oldest cats to ever live, Nutmeg died at the age of 32.
The owners credited his longevity to his high protein diet that included tuna and chicken,
and making sure he did not eat too much. Cats are carnivores, their natural diet
consists of fresh meat that is high in protein and minerals, and an adequate amount of fat.
It is low in carbohydrates. With that being said, feeding your cat kibble
may not be the best idea because 35-50% is made of carbs and it is low in moisture content.
The excess carbohydrates contribute to obesity in most cats and this leads to diabetes.
While low water content in kibble damages the kidneys over time and
leads to chronic kidney disease. So what can you feed your cat?
You can try a raw meat diet or canned wet food that has meat as its primary ingredients.
I will leave some suggestions in the description below.
I feed Teemo and Arya a raw meat diet that consists mostly of beef and chicken,
and sometimes sashimi grade salmon. Teemo does need to work on the
amount of food he eats. Teemo you eat too much.
Teemo likes to steal Arya’s food. He has been this way since he was a baby.
Love is more powerful than you think in having a positive impact on our cats.
Looking at the list of the oldest cats in the world, the owners are some of the most
devoted and caring cat owners. For example a siamese cat named Scooter
lived to the age of 30 and traveled with his owner Gail to 45 American States out of 50.
They truly bonded over their adventures together.
Like most pets, cats respond well to safe and meaningful relationships with humans, which is a
key ingredient in keeping them happy and healthy. Like people, cats can get lonely.
Make sure your cat knows how special they are to you!
Everyday I try to spend quality time with Teemo and Arya.
Sometimes we cuddle on the sofa or I give them a massage.
Mental stimulation is important for cats because it helps them stay active and sharp as they age.
For example, Cream Puff’s owner Jake
permanently set up nature documentaries in the house for the cats to enjoy.
You can also recreate that experience by giving your cat access to a window.
For example, I built a garden outside the window so my cats have something to look at.
Occasionally my cats are excited to see birds and butterflies in the garden.
Other ways you can mentally stimulate your cat include giving your cats puzzles to solve,
taking them for walks outside, biking or jogging with your cats,
or building a catio for your cats. Teemo and Arya really like exploring the city.
Every week I take them jogging and they are curious about all
the sounds and visuals they see. Other creative things I have done
include building a maze for Teemo and Arya or even a cardboard castle.
Regular check-ups are important for your cat’s health.
However, there are times that your cat may exhibit certain symptoms, and you aren’t sure
whether they require a trip to the veterinarian. One tip is to look at changes in the litterbox.
Increased amounts of urine may mean that your cat is developing kidney or liver problems.
While a lack of urination can be a life-threatening
emergency that needs to be checked out. Changes in appetite can also indicate
an underlying health problem. Look out for repeated vomiting.
On New Year’s eve I had to rush Arya to the emergency room.
She had vomited three times in one day and could not hold down her food.
I was afraid she may have had a foreign body obstruction.
We got X-rays and luckily she was fine and it was something less serious.
Be proactive about your cat’s health and this will help your cat live longer.
Cats like to seek out warm places to rest. In the winter the nutritional needs of senior cats
may increase in the effort to keep warm. So why not make it easier for your old cat?
You can buy an electric bed that heats up your cat like this one here.
The bed is energy efficient and warms to your cat’s standard temperature
I will link the heating bed in the description below.
Spaying or neutering your cat prevents the risk of mammary or testicular cancer later in life.
It also eliminates the numerous complications while giving birth for a female cat.
Keeping your cat indoors is one of the easiest ways to help your cat lead a long and happy life.
Your cat is less likely to be hit by a car, attacked by a wild animal, encounter toxins,
or get infected by disease. This doesn’t mean you can’t
take your cats outdoors. You just need to supervise them.
The world outside our home is dangerous and as cat parents it is our job to protect them.
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Comment down below, what strategies do you use to make your cat live longer?