Life Expectancy of Dogs and Cats
We hope our pets will be a part of our lives for many, many years but the fact is that the average life expectancy is 10-12 years for dogs and 10-14 years for cats. Older pets have very specific needs and are particularly susceptible in later years to cancer, arthritis, and dental disease. Supplementing your pet's diet with antioxidants, phytonutrients, and Omega 3 fatty acids will help support brain function and minimize behavior changes as your pet ages.
- Almost half of senior dogs develop cancer and a third will die from it.
- Arthritis, dental disease, and constipation are common in senior dogs and cats.
Recommended products for dogs and cats
Dog life expectancy
A giant-breed dog is a senior pet at six years of age, but a medium-sized dog is a senior at eight years of age. The average dog lives 10-12 years. Dogs that have good nutrition, daily care at home, and veterinary care, live the longest. Dogs that are allowed to roam and are not confined to their home and yard, and dogs that remain sexually intact (unneutered) do not live as long.
Cat life expectancy
Cats have been documented to live over 30 years. In the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest cat is 34-36 years old. In human years, a 30-year-old cat is over 130, and a 34-36-year-old cat is between 150-160. In Scotland, a cat is reported to have lived to be over 40 years old.
The average domestic cat lives 14 years, and mixed-bred cats live longer than purebred. Feral cats live about half as long as domestic cats because they have more fights, accidents, illnesses, predators, and food shortages. Cats can continue to breed even in their senior years. Twenty-year old cats have reared kittens. In human years, a cat that is 20 is about 95 years old.
Omega 3 fatty acids, joint supplements, and vitamins are recommended to help your pet achieve maximum life expectancy.