3 Dogs and 2 Cats

Cats are very independent animals.  They come and go as they please and that’s that but , they are also known for being very loyal.   If you give your cat lots of love; you will get the same in return.

Cats have certainly come a long way from its original origins. Domesticated cats are now in many people’s homes, as they have been for years. The life expectancy of cats has also grown, thanks to the change in the way that cats have been treated, as well as a cat’s lineage.

Years ago, the life expectancy of cats was no more than 6 years of age. As the years passed, many families noticed that the life expectancy of cats was getting older and older. By today’s standards, a cat can live an upwards of 20 years. This 14 year gain on life expectancy is phenomenal as more and more cat lovers bring cats into their homes. There are, however, reasons as to why cats are living much longer these days than they used to. Cats can have a longer life expectancy today, thanks to their owners. Healthy cats that are well taken care of are the typical cats that will live longer. This includes most indoor cats. Indoor cats have a higher life expectancy than outdoor cats for a variety of reasons. Indoor cats are not exposed to the varying elements that outdoor cats are exposed to. This is the main reason why indoor cats can live longer. Indoor cats do not have to hunt for their food, and they are not out in the extreme heat, cold, or rainy weather. Indoor cats do not have to vie for shelter. Indoor cats are also better taken care of than outdoor cats, as many indoor cats are vaccinated. As much, indoor cats do not risk the potential of possibly running into something that can be dangerous to hem, be it another animal, or chemicals that can hurt them greatly. Indoor cats are typically groomed often, and due to this, indoor cats will take better care of themselves. An indoor cat is still as active as an outdoor cat, if not more so, but they do not have all of the strikes against them as outdoor cats do.

Outdoor cats are expected to live anywhere between 4-6 years, sometimes longer. This is because they are exposed to the elements of Mother Nature, and are much more prone to receiving viruses from other animals, such as rabies, or a feline virus. It is often a combination of a lack of food and good nutrition, the weather outside, and other animals that will cut the life expectancy of an outdoor cat. Those animal owners that have their cats outside can help their cats live a longer and happier life when they feed the outside cats as well as give them a place to sleep when there are variable weather conditions. As much, outdoor cats that have had their vaccinations will not only be protecting themselves, but they are also protecting any other animals that may try to attack them. These steps can sometimes lead to a longer life span for the outdoor cat. The Life Expectancy of Cats….

There are often a whole host of variables that come into play when predicting the life expectancy of a cat. Overall, giving the cat love, nourishment and the medical attention that is needs will extend their life much longer than leaving the cat neglected. These elements combined can give a cat the best life possible.

Fleas can get into your home even if your cat doesn’t go outside.  These nasty little bugs can be carriers of worms and other diseases that are harmful to your pets.  They can even make it into the house by hitching a ride on you!  There are many different ways to prevent and control this problem.

To control the fleas, you must treat your cat as well as their surrounding environment.  If you have dogs and cats, it’s important to treat them all since the fleas have the ability to go to whichever host they please.  It’s very important that you treat your cat for fleas whichever method you decide to use since the fleas extract a big amount of blood which can result in anemia or death.

The cat flea is considered to be the most widespread fleas in the world.  Cat fleas obviously prefer to have cats as their host but can survive on dogs and other animals as well.  The adult fleas can jump from host to host (animal to animal) and survive that way also.

The flea collar is a good way to go.  This will keep your cat and home free from infestation.  If you have a cat that goes outside, it’s important that you give them a break-away collar.  This way they won’t get caught up on anything and if they do, the collar will break apart and free the cat.  The flea collar works by emitting a gas that is toxic to fleas into the cats subcutaneous fat layer.  The gas is mainly effective in the head and neck are where the collar rests.  Your vet can inform you of the most effective and safe collar for your cat.