How come some cats ...
 

How come some cats live much longer lives?  


VINAMI
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I always see people mentioning that their cats are 20+ years old, some are 23, 25, and even pushing 30 years old. It blows my mind that a cat can live that long. My first cat died when he was about 12 years old and my second was 14, he died from cancer. I want to make sure my current cats live long, healthy lives. Is it diet? Genetics? What can it be?

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HaiTay
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I think most animals and even humans at one time lived much longer lives and we will uncover why and how in the coming years. People are already living longer than they did just just a few hundred years ago. I feel like cats and dogs a like could easily reach 40 years as an average once we understand everything. 

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weenie
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I think the average life span of cats when they are on a great diet, have good genetics, and are in a low-stress environment is like 25. The reason the average lifespan is typically 14 is down to many older ones getting sick. 

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PhoTastic
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I am sure genetics factor in here but diet, stress, and safety are important too. Cats that are overweight are more likely to not live as long just from being overweight. Just like in humans, obesity reduced the lifespan of a cat by as much as 50% of their otherwise potential. 

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DangGang
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Many animals can outlive the average lifespan easily. I know someone who had a dog until he was 23 years old. The dog died in his sleep. Never had any health problems. He was very happy, lived in a calm environment, and got walks nearly every day.

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kikobeep
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Maybe this is down to food quality? I don't know. It seems like some cats are just built different. I have seen cats that beyond all odds, healed and survived things that doctors thought were permanent while others seemed extremely frail. Maybe inbreeding plays a role? 

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Landon Benton
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 Landon Benton
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To the vpopwire.com administrator, Your posts are always well-supported by research and data.

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Hanbin_Fan
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Cats seem to have such a wide range in lifespans, it is hard to understand. The cat holding the record for living the longest was 38 when she died. Another cat from the same owner lived to be 34 I believe. That is insane to think about. Most cats I have known seem to live to be able 14 or 15. I would love it if my cats lived to be 25+!!

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VINAMI
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@hanbin_fan That is crazy that a cat lived to be 38. I have to wonder what the owner did for these cats that helped them live to be this old. 

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1988TQ
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I am sure diet and genetics factor in but just like humans, so does stress. I think if a cat has a very low stress life and are relaxed and well loved then they not only will live longer lives but are far more likely to recover from just about anything. 

I read a study done using a rat or mouse, I can't remember which it was. It had cancer and every day different people would spend 30 min holding him. His cancer was cured. I think sometimes connection and love is all that is needed.

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