Cats are always at their feet.
Curiosity has killed the cat.
Cats live for nine years.
Many things can be said about the life span of a cat, but the opinions are contradictory. Many cat owners have encountered their cats in an awkward position and miraculously emerged victorious with masterful tricks. Sometimes, however, an animal falls over their heads. Is there a cat-savvy owner who hasn’t splattered Fluffy in the bath when she falls into the water? It’s better to believe that feline friends can bounce back from any situation, but is that true?
Do Cats Have Nine Lives?
Though no self-respecting cat will admit that, they’re similar to us mortals with only one existence to enjoy. And, even more so than their pride, a long and blissful life is frequently dependent on the intervention of humans.
“Just like humans cat owners who lead in a healthy way and can access medical attention have a higher likelihood of living a long healthy and happy existence,” says Michelle Lugones, DVM, a staff veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society in N.Y.
It’s still fun to imagine that our cats might remain for a long time, and the nine lives myth certainly has a decent amount of time in its own time, going back to ancient Egypt.
What is the Story Behind the Myth Begin?
The precise origin of cats and their nine lives is unknown, but it is believed to come from the Egyptian goddess Bastet who was able to switch between the form of a cat and a human, suggesting she lived many existences, Lugones says. Cats were highly sought-after in ancient Egypt and revered for their dual nature. According to the American Research Center in Egypt, they were soft and graceful, but they were also fierce and deadly to their prey. A lot of Egyptian gods exhibited these characteristics and were depicted as felines.
Some cultures, however, believe cats have seven or six lives, not the nine lives we are accustomed to hearing about. With all the talk about cats’ supposed invincibility, there’s some truth to the cat’s mystical ability to “always be upon their toes,” if you will.
Cat Survival Instincts – Explained
“Genetically being, there’s no distinction between our pets or wild animals,” Lugones says. “They have kept many of their wild nature and survival instincts that are natural, like their capacity to hunt, stalk and then pounce on their prey whether it’s small animals out in the open and toys we provide them in our home.”
Another instinct called the “righting reflex” is why many felines discover their feet first following falling. They can reposition their bodies and instinctively be able to land on their feet, and only their pride gets hurt. However, depending on the accident’s severity, the cat might not always get her feet in the best position, and serious injuries could occur. The correcting reflex is an instinct, and kittens remain vulnerable to dangers in the vicinity.
How Do Cats Live? On Average?
In general, only indoor cats can live for 12-15 years, whereas outdoor cats can live for 2-5 years. Indoor cats are shielded from the elements of the outdoor world, which can reduce the outdoor cat’s life span, for example, diseases and injury from an automobile, ingesting poison, or fighting against predators. But genetics, health, and access to veterinary treatment all come into play.
Guinness World Records has a cherished Creme Puff from Texas as the longest-lived cat, dying in 2005 at 38 years old. For a better understanding, 1-year-old cats are similar to humans 15 years old A 2-year-old cat is like a human who is 25 years old, and so on. From then, each year that the length of time a cat is equal to 4 human years–i.e., a 10-year-old cat has 57 years. Most veterinarians start identifying cats as seniors at the age of 10. Creme Puff is what legends are constructed of.
So, how do you give your pet a chance to beat the aging process? Lugones offers a few suggestions.
Three Tips to Help Your Cat Live a Long, healthy Life
1. Stimulating the environment
Toys, Food ( a healthy diet is a great way to go! ), Puzzles, cat trees, and scratching posts are only a few ways to enhance your cat’s life. They provide plenty of opportunities to physically and mentally exercise while keeping boredom and stress at bay.
2.”Cat-proof” Your home
“Make sure that the flowers and plants inside the house aren’t poisonous to cats and that the electrical cords are protected from chewing so that they cannot be chewed on, and that small objects like needles, hair bands string, paper clips are not in reach so that your cat won’t get them in their mouths and require an Emergency Room,” Lugones says. Make sure that poisonous foods and medicines are away from your cat also.
3. Visits to the vet every year
Once you have adopted your cat for the first time, it is essential to introduce them to your vet at home to become more familiar with their requirements. Although your cat might be resistant, preventative care through regular exams ensures that any health issues are resolved early.
Fluffy may only have one chance to live. However, you can assist her in living it to the maximum.
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