​Seven Common Habits That Can Shorten Your Feral Cat’s Life

Having a furry friend as a lifelong companion is something we all hope for and want as cat owners. However, some common cat-care practices and habits can potentially encourage a shorter lifespan in our cat's life, despite our best efforts.

Here we've rounded up some of the practices that could shorten your feline’s life.

1. Poor Hygiene

Poor hygiene practices can leave your cat susceptible to diseases and stress. Cleaning your cat’s feeding equipment, litter boxes, and houses will help them feel comfortable and prevent diseases or parasites that may affect their health.

2. Poor Feeding Habits

Poor feeding habits can seriously compromise your cat's health. Even if your cat spends time outdoors and exercises, ensure that you watch their diet. Feed them the appropriate type and amount of diet in line with their age and health status. You may also consider homemade diets as opposed to commercial diets.

3. Ignoring Dental Health

Poor oral hygiene is detrimental to your cat's overall health. Like humans, cats commonly develop dental problems. Whether your kitty is an indoor or outdoor cat, dental health is critical. Get your cat used to home-based dental care from an early age and to have their teeth often checked by your vet. Cats with dental issues are more likely to be stressed and unhealthy, which increases the risk of contracting diseases.

4. Not Visiting the Vet

Skipping or postponing your regular vet visits until something pops up might seem like a good idea, but it isn't. Yes, your kitty might dread vet visits, but they help your vet discover many cat-related problems early enough. Finding a medical issue before it becomes a life-threatening issue drastically improves the vet’s ability to treat it successfully and increase life expectancy.

5. Giving Too Many Treats

Cats love treats, and they are an ideal item to express love to your cat. However, too many treats can have a negative effect. Limit your cats' daily treat intake to decrease the number of calories your cat gets daily. You can also get advice from your vet about the appropriate treat amount to feed your cat.

Pro Tip: Take a handful from your cat's daily kibble for use as treats throughout the day.

6. Neglecting Cat Safety Measures

Providing your outdoor cat with some form of identification or tracking device has been found to increase the likelihood of keeping your cat safe. Sometimes, your cat might escape or get lost, which puts them in danger. However, with a microchip, visible ID tags, or geo-locational tags, you can easily find them or keep tabs on their movement. Learn more about our outdoor cat safety tips.

7. Letting Your Cat Out at Night

Letting your cats outside definitely has its benefits but ensure that your cat is back before dusk. At night, cats face high exposure to car accidents, prowling animals, and other threats which could significantly lower their life expectancy. Train your feline to develop a habit of returning home on time to avoid needless exposure to risks.

When it comes to caring for your cat, it's essential to pay attention to your daily habits. Some habits may seem harmless but could be taking years off your cat’s life. Ensure that everything you do is geared towards improving your cat's welfare and help them live a healthier, longer, and happy life.