Because of our great love for our feline friends, most cat owners would do everything in their power to make sure their beloved pets live as long as possible. Depending on which study may be believed, a cat’s average lifespan is somewhere between 12 and 16 years. Owners want to think that through the proper nutrition and care, their cat will reach the upper end of those statistics.

Although owners can take some actions to prolong the time they get to spend with their cat, some factors are beyond our control. Some breeds have a tendency to develop certain diseases more often than others. Some environments are more conducive to long life than others. Some cats are just genetically weaker than others.

A cat owner can control many of the variables that determine how long his or her pet will survive. The most important of these, statistically, are neutering and vaccinations. Without neutering a cat may contract several deadly viruses. Vaccinations work to prevent a cat from contracting a variety of diseases that may be present in the surrounding neighborhood.

Another area in which a cat owner should be proactive is that of nutrition. Manufacturers develop foods created for each age of a cat’s life. By carefully choosing the foods that contain the appropriate vitamins, minerals, and fiber for his animal, an owner helps the animal stay healthy.

Keeping a diary of both normal and abnormal behavior is also a good method to make sure that a cat remains healthy. Because animals often act differently in the vet’s office than they do at home, this list of behaviors could be the key for early detection of a serious illness. It is also a good habit to record suggestions from the vet, as well as vital statistics so that a record is available when a comparison is needed.