How long do cats and dogs live and how to extend the life of your pet?

If you once contract an incurable virus called “my dog”, your life will change forever. It’s a rare dog lover who doesn’t call himself “mom” or “dad” of his tailed child. And there’s nothing wrong with these people’s heads. This is how not only a feeling of love is subconsciously manifested, but also a huge responsibility towards four-legged friends. After all, their fate is completely in our hands. The same goes for cat lovers.

A responsible owner needs to know how many years dogs and cats live at home, what factors influence their life expectancy, what to expect as they age, and how to extend the life of a pet. Below are not only answers to the most important questions, but also a number of practical recommendations for you.

Some statistics

An interesting study was conducted in November 1999 by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA). The results showed that dogs that resemble wolves in appearance (size, muzzle shape) live longer than representatives of the breeds on which selection has worked. At the same time, 46% of pets die from old age, and only 8% of them reach the age of fifteen. The cause of death for 64% of dogs is disease or euthanasia. Among the fatal diseases of older animals, cancer (16%) and cardiovascular diseases (8%) lead.

Is it true that mongrels live longer?

Disputes on this topic in veterinary circles do not subside. Some experts claim that purebred animals with good genetics are not inferior in life expectancy to yard dogs and mixed breeds. Other scientists cite an inexorable figure of 10 statistical years for purebred dogs and “give” two additional years (12 years) to mongrels and mixed breeds. But both opposing camps agree that, compared to other dogs, mongrels adapt better to life’s troubles and have increased immunity . Of course, we are talking about our beloved family dogs. With good nutrition and care, patios can please owners for 18-20 years, while homeless animals rarely reach maturity (3-5 years): too many dangers await the poor fellows on the street, from hunger to accidents and human cruelty.

Life expectancy of reptiles depending on species

Vital statistics

What affects a dog's lifespan?

There are quite a lot of factors on which the answer to the question “How many years do dogs live at home?” depends. We will look at the main points you need to pay attention to.

Dog size

Small dogs live longer than their larger relatives, often celebrating their twentieth birthday. They can be called old only at 12-14 years old. While giant dogs are destined to live only 8-10 years (their decrepitude begins already at the age of six).

Breed of dog

In addition to size, a pet’s life expectancy is influenced by its exterior features. We are talking about the so-called “risk groups” (predispositions to certain diseases). The more unfavorable factors are combined in a breed, the less likely it is that the dog will cross the ten-year mark.

• English bulldogs in old age often face obesity (the first factor), and the large head of puppies is a planned indication for a cesarean section in a bitch, which in the future also reduces life expectancy (the second factor).
• Massive St. Bernards are prone to developing hip dysplasia, gastric volvulus, and bone cancer. The structure of the eyes of these noble dogs suggests diseases such as entropion, cataracts (several factors).
• Dogs with a short muzzle (Pekingese, Chin) suffer from breathing problems, have less endurance and quickly overheat. Short-faced, massive dogs (bulmastiffs, boxers) are prone to fainting and heart attacks in hot weather. They are also at risk for eye injuries and narrowing of the nostrils.

Knowing the specifics of “breed” ailments, they can be predicted and avoided. Proper care and prevention throughout life, starting from a young age, will help with this.

Heredity

The length and quality of life of a pet is largely determined by its genetic health. If the dog’s immediate ancestors lived a long life (in accordance with the breed), then most likely your pet will join the ranks of canine long-livers. Before purchasing a puppy, study its pedigree and talk to the owners' parents and grandparents.

Genetic and acquired diseases

• Currently, the hereditary nature of almost 500 diseases that shorten a dog’s life expectancy (retinal atrophy, thyroid dysfunction, nervous disorders) has been established. If there were carriers of genetic diseases in the dog's pedigree, the chances that they will appear in the descendants increase many times over. Therefore, it is important to purchase purebred puppies from responsible breeders who only breed physically healthy animals with a stable psyche.
• The animal's body is most vulnerable in childhood and old age. Infections with age lead to complications in the form of chronic diseases. Injuries and dislocations lead to inflammation of the joints and tendons. It is impossible to protect your four-legged friend from all troubles. But a caring owner can significantly reduce the risks (timely vaccination, treatment against internal and external parasites, compliance with walking rules).

Contents and diet

• One of the indicators of how many years dogs live at home is their diet. The nutritional and energy needs of tailed friends change over the years. With food, the animal must receive the required amount of vitamins, minerals and biologically active substances.
• A sedentary lifestyle shortens its duration. Any dog ​​needs active walks in the fresh air and physical activity. The larger the dog, the more active exercise it requires. The working qualities of dogs cannot be neglected. The owner must understand that each breed was developed to perform specific tasks. Using an animal in accordance with the ideas of the breed gives the dog’s life completeness and meaning, gives additional years and protects against psychosomatic diseases and stress.

Ecological situation

There are a lot of dangers for dogs living in big cities, but most of them are easy to prevent.

• Contact of a dog's paw pads with deicing agents can cause severe dermatitis. To avoid this, use a special protective cream or shoes for dogs.
• Do not allow your dog to eat or lick city snow. It contains heavy metals that cause the development of cancer of the esophagus and larynx.
• Try not to smoke in the presence of pets. It has been proven that passive smoking in dogs, as in people, leads to premature mortality and oncology of the respiratory tract.

Emotional Health

Stress has a detrimental effect on the health of four-legged friends. There are cases when a healthy animal began to become decrepit before our eyes after psychological trauma. Dogs do not tolerate loneliness and their own uselessness. Whereas pets that do not lack communication and attention remain active until old age.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet is a guarantee that the animal receives all the necessary vitamins and other nutrients, and in optimally balanced proportions. As a pet ages, its needs change, so it is necessary to make adjustments to its diet. Royal Canin scientists have created a special line of food for older dogs and cats. These diets are enriched with special components that help maintain the health of your pet in old age. Older animals tend to move less, which means they need 10-20% less energy than when they were young. Therefore, the diet for older cats and dogs includes slightly less fat, which fully corresponds to the energy needs of the animal during this period.

Antioxidants - vitamins C, E, lutein and taurine - neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals at the cellular level. Omega-3 acids have an anti-inflammatory effect. And this is very important, because with age, animals - like people - often develop so-called hidden inflammation, and the immune system loses its ability to resist certain diseases. Leucine in the feed prevents the loss of muscle mass. The level of phosphorus in the diet for mature animals is also slightly reduced - this helps to take care of kidney health.

Animals can also develop cognitive disorders as they age. According to recent studies, the substance phosphatidylserine (part of cell membranes) can inhibit this process. Therefore, this component is included in the Senior Consult food for older cats from Royal Canin.

How many years do dogs live at home: review of breeds

Our table provides summary data on the life expectancy of the most popular dog breeds. Let us immediately make a reservation that these are average indicators that can only serve as a guide. It is almost impossible to predict in advance how long your pet will live.

Dogs

For dogs, everything is more complicated than for cats; their lifespan directly depends not only on care, but also on the breed. Scientists have discovered a pattern that the larger the dog, the shorter it lives, since organs wear out much faster. For example, small Chihuahuas easily live up to 15, and sometimes up to 18 years, but a Great Dane at the age of 9 is already considered very old.

But these data are relative, since in each case there are exceptions. For example, in Russia there is a Laika who is already over 20 years old, although representatives of this breed usually live much shorter.

Long-lived dogs include:

• Chihuahua - 15-18 years old;
• lap dog - 17-19 years old;
• large poodle - 14-16 years old.

How to extend the life of an old friend dog

No matter how many years dogs live at home, their character and habits change. It is important for the owner to understand that the correct foundation laid from early childhood will be very important when your dog begins to age. In order for your pet to live a long, fulfilling life, you need to enlist the support of a veterinarian and adhere to simple rules:

• Starting at the age of 7, undergo a routine medical examination twice a year. The specialist will prescribe general blood and urine tests, examine the dog’s lymph nodes, mouth, eyes, and evaluate the dog’s heartbeat and lung function. This will allow you to diagnose a possible disease in the early stages;
• If a dog contracts a viral infection in old age , there will not be much chance of a successful outcome. There is a dangerous misconception that after 5 years, dogs develop cumulative immunity, and there is no need for annual vaccinations. This is not true! An elderly pet also needs immune support, which vaccination can provide.

• More than half of older dogs suffer from inflammation of the oral cavity, diseases of the teeth and gums, which spread the infection throughout the body. It is important to teach your dog to “brush his teeth” in advance. Modern veterinary drugs make this procedure simple for the owner and quite tolerable for the pet;
• In older dogs, the coat becomes thinner, turns grey, and looks unkempt. Daily brushing with an ultra-soft brush will improve the condition of the skin and coat. But you need to bathe an elderly pet as rarely as possible, using gentle detergents;
• Develop the habit of regularly feeling your dog for tumors and lumps. If a problem is detected, do not delay your visit to the clinic;
• Sterilization (castration) can prolong a dog's life . Thanks to the operation, the animal will avoid “empty” heats, as well as the occurrence of cancer of the reproductive system;

• aging dogs often become weather dependent (their health changes with weather conditions). This may confuse the owner. You need to monitor the condition of an old animal more carefully than a young pet. As the body ages, it loses its former ability to respond to treatment;
• An elderly pet should be fed several times a day in small portions, completely excluding treats from the common table. The diet should be carefully balanced according to age (the older the dog gets, the slower its metabolism);
• Follow a regimen of walking and moderate exercise. If you notice that your dog gets tired quickly, consult a veterinarian;
• older pets become very conservative and react sharply to any changes in their usual lifestyle. Try not to change his habits, protect him from stress and anxiety;

• Multivitamin complexes or oil preparations are useful for maintaining the health of an older pet . But their selection and dosage should only be made together with a specialist;
• Owners of old dogs often face the problem of their pet being unclean. With age, reflex connections fade, and the dog may begin to get dirty in the house. Do not scold or punish the dog under any circumstances; it is not to blame for anything. Uncontrollable urination can be associated with both aging and kidney and bladder dysfunction. Try to change your schedule and take your pet outside more often, or gently train your dog to relieve itself on newspapers .

Giving your pet a dignified old age is the least a person can do in response to boundless love that lasts a dog’s entire life.

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Centenarians

Did you think that 2 tens is the life limit of a cat? But no: the absolute record holder since 2010 is Lucy from the UK. The owner does not know the exact date of birth, but it is known that she is about 40 years old - veterinarians confirm her age. Only deafness speaks of old age, but the pet’s activity is still at its best.

In 2015, outbred Jessica was recognized as the oldest cat in the Belarusian city of Slutsk. To date, there is no information about her life.

An amazing incident happened with the cat Prokhor from Russia. At the time of recording the record, he was 28 years old, but this is not the most interesting thing. At the age of 23, the centenarian... new teeth erupted!

In the Guinness Book of Records you can find other pets who managed to live a long and happy life. In 2010, she received the outbred Cream Puff, who was 38 years old at the time of death. Soon the book was supplemented by the Canadian Sphynx named Granpa Rex Allen - his journey lasted 34 years and 2 months. A cat of the Sacred Burmese breed from Australia is confidently setting a record - she is 37 years old.

In one of the remote villages of Great Britain, the cat Spike, whose life span exceeded 30 years. Thus, we can safely say that I was able to use 9 lives. When he got into a fight with a dog at 19 and was injured, veterinarians spoke of imminent death. After this incident, Spike spent another 11 years happily.

With love, care and the right type of SUPERPET nutrition, your cat will live long and happy years.

No one knows how many years your four-legged friend will live. Average life expectancy depends on many factors. Try to fill your short life with love and care, choose the right food and monitor your pet’s health. By giving away your warmth, you get it back several times more.

How does life expectancy depend on breed and heredity?

There is an opinion that purebred cats live much longer. As a rule, this is not the case. It is necessary to take into account the influence of selection: sometimes it can cause diseases. Therefore, it is worth choosing a pet from experienced breeders and it is advisable to study its pedigree in order to determine life expectancy, as well as the period of activity and the risk of possible diseases.

It is believed that cats of the British breed can reach the age of 15 years, Persian cats live on average up to 20, and Siamese cats - up to 30. But do not forget that each case is individual: sometimes outbred pets can live happily ever after.

Average life expectancy of pets

When getting a pet, few people think that the little miracle will live a relatively short life.

According to scientists, to determine whether an animal’s age corresponds to a human’s, the number of years of small animals is multiplied by 5, and larger ones by 7. As a rule, this calculation is explained by the comfort of staying in the habitat. Small animals are much more likely to be persecuted than large ones, and therefore the former are more often exposed to stressful situations that affect the condition of the body and life expectancy.

What can I do to extend my pet's life?

Monitor your pet's well-being

If you notice a lack of appetite, lethargy, discharge from the eyes or flaking, contact your veterinarian immediately. Any disease robs a cat of strength and vitality.

Sometimes a visit to the cat doctor is worth making without a specific reason. This way you can detect the hidden course of the disease in time and prevent its development by getting vaccinated. Your veterinarian will help you choose the right food for your cat’s age, physical characteristics, and health.

Ensure your cat can lead an active lifestyle

Come up with games for her, make her move. Pets who spend time on the couch have a significantly reduced life expectancy. Special toys or walks in the fresh air will help cats stay in good shape.

Don't let your cat roam unattended

A domestic cat on the street can fall into the clutches of dogs, fall under the wheels of a car, become infected with something from street cats, or even be poisoned. Getting to know the street can be very stressful for your pet, which will also negatively affect its health.

Spay your pet

Neutered cats live on average 2-3 years longer than their counterparts. Pregnancy and childbirth are a big burden for a cat, which is why cats often live longer lives. In addition, sterilization protects against many diseases and stress, and helps normalize hormonal levels.

Choose the right diet

A balanced diet will prolong the life of your pet and protect against colitis, kidney failure, allergies, obesity and other diseases. You need to feed your pet three times a day, making sure that the animal does not overeat.

You should not combine natural products with industrial feed. High-quality dry food is usually balanced enough to provide the cat with all the necessary substances.

Stages of a cat's life cycle

The life of any cat can be divided into several stages.

Infancy (from birth to six months)

The first six months of a baby’s life are the most significant and eventful. Ten days after birth, these are blind sucklings, whose whole world is concentrated in the warmth of the mother’s body and the nipple with milk.

By two months, kittens become quite independent, begin to feed on their own, and learn to use a litter box.

Until three or four months, the pets usually do not leave the nursery and the mother. From four to six, they resemble playful children on the cusp of adolescence.

Youth (from six months to two years)

In almost all breeds, by six months the kitten is at the beginning of puberty. Physically, he is already quite developed, almost independent.

Usually at one year the female is already able to give birth and feed kittens, although it is better if pregnancy occurs a little later, at least at 18 months. Cats mature more slowly - up to one and a half years, and in some breeds up to two or three years.

Youth (three to six years old)

Animals are considered conditionally young when they are between two and six years old. This age approximately corresponds to 20-40 years of a person. It is at the age of six that it is customary in nurseries to remove an animal from breeding.

But with good care, pets are active, healthy and capable of producing full-fledged offspring for much longer - at least up to seven to ten years.

Maturity (seven to ten years)

A cat from seven to ten years old is considered a mature individual. About the same as a person aged 40-55 years old. The animal is in the prime of life, behaves calmly and reservedly.

Older cats (eleven to fourteen years old)

From 11 to 14 years old, the cat is in old age, corresponding to human 55-70 years. If the pet does not suffer from any chronic diseases, then neither he nor the owner will have any special problems in life. Sleep time increases, whims in choosing food may appear, and there is no particular desire for outdoor games.

Why do cats and dogs fight?

Cats are predators, and any animal that is larger than them is treated with suspicion and hostility. They are silent and graceful, perfectly oriented in the dark and know how to attack on the sly, defending their space. Mustaches love affection, but allow themselves to be stroked only when they need it. Animals are smart, difficult to train and capricious. Their typical sounds include purring, hissing and meowing.

Dogs are social animals and have a hard time being alone. Stray dogs gather in packs, and domestic dogs howl or get bored near the rug in the absence of their owner. Barking pets have a very developed hunting instinct. They growl when they are angry and love to chase cats, birds, and hedgehogs in the yard. These are very loyal animals that are ready to protect their owners to the last.

Based on the character traits of pets, it is easy to understand why they are sometimes intolerant of each other. Animals behave differently, express emotions, and “talk.” No wonder they are wary of each other.

If you get a puppy and a kitten almost at the same time, it will be easier for them to adapt to living together, which will help avoid conflicts.

How to make friends with a dog and a cat