Why Do Cats Live Longer Than Dogs?
It doesn’t matter if you are a cat person or a dog person; the bottom line is almost always about our pets – cats or dogs – and wishing that they live as long as we are alive. But for the sake of this article, let us find out which between a cat or a dog lives longer.
Why do cats live longer than dogs or is it the other way around? They say that cats have nine lives – let us see whether this old saying has some truth in it.
Factors that may affect their lifespan
Before looking into whose lifespan is longer, let us learn about the factors which could make or break the length of a cat’s or a dog’s lifespan. There could actually be several factors that may affect their average lifespan, let’s look at some of them:
- Where do they live
A cat or a dog’s surroundings may affect the length of its lifespan. Let us take cats for example. There are cats that belong to a family and live in a house, and there are cats that are stray and are usually found roaming the streets. In this case, cats that live inside homes tend to have longer lifespans than those that live on the streets. Perhaps, we could safely say that it could also be the same for dogs - Size
While it is logical to think that larger animals have longer lifespans due to the fact that larger animals tend to become the predator than the prey, it is actually not always the case when it comes to cats and dogs. Dogs for example, who are enormous in size, tend to live shorter than its small counterparts. Why is this so? A larger dog’s heart has to catch up with its activity and its body size, therefore working double, if not extra, to sustain the dog’s lifestyle. - Neutered/Spayed
A cat or a dog that went through the knife – or that have been neutered or spayed – have the tendency to live longer. This occurs especially in female cats and dogs because they are not susceptible to possible pregnancy-related complications. - Ancestors
Cats and dogs have a rich history. And looking back, perhaps their current lifespan is brought about how their ancestors lived before them. Perhaps it wouldn’t be surprising to say that cats are stealthier than dogs. Studies show that cats tend to be better at hunting prey than dogs, thus making cats more adapt to their surroundings, allowing them to live longer.
The Face Off!
Let us cut the chase and get down to business! A dog’s average lifespan is around the range of 8-12 years old. Cats, on the other hand, tend to fall on the age range 12-19 years old. Looking at the figures, it seems that there is indeed some truth when we say that cats have 9 lives! Perhaps it is safe to say that cats live longer than dogs based on these approximations.
Why is it the Case?
Aside from the factors mentioned above, perhaps we can also infer based on their behaviors, that a cat’s and a dog’s attitudinal difference affects the length of their lifespan. We all know from the get-go that dogs win in the congeniality department. Dogs are definitely more social than cats. Cats tend to be detached and seemingly indifferent.
That is actually one of the reasons why cats tend to live longer than dogs. Dogs are more prone and vulnerable to diseases and other disease causing agents because of their sociable attitude. Cats on the other hand decrease their exposure to these agents because of their aloof attitude.
Long Life For Your Cats
There are several ways that we can do to help prolong our cat’s lifespan. It is not simply about living long but living healthy. Moderating what our cats consume help in providing them with the nutrients they need.
Just like how there are plenty of healthy dog food, there is healthy cat food out there that allow our cats to obtain the nutrients that their body needs. Aside from that, there are also diet cat food which cater to a cat’s diet concerns.
As for dogs, there are also dog food that will help in providing for their health needs. There are now specially designed dog food that cater to a dog’s specific needs.
Bottom Line
So there you have it! I guess that settles it. Nevertheless, short lifespan or long, we would still do our best to take care of our beloved cats and dogs.
