Age...just a number?

One of my favourite things is seeing someone asking for help to enhance
their 'older' pet's life. Society so often dictates to us what aging looks like, and that it is something to be feared. With our pets, we are conditioned to believe that as they get older, they are destined to suffer from various conditions and diseases. But what is older?

If you ask the average person what the lifespan of a cat is, they say 15; some push it to 20. A cat living over the age of 20 is shocking to people. With dogs, they say 15 is a ripe old age for a little dog, while many large breeds are only given 10 years before being considered at the end of their life. 

Although attaching these life expectancies to pets helps the average human understand the level of commitment they are signing on for, these numbers create a mind set that is not healthy for your pet. 

If you think your cat is old and dying at 15 years old, you are attaching that energy to your pet. When their health starts to deteriorate, you think "well, Fluffy is old now, so it is to be expected". In contrast, if you believe your cat can easily live to 30, you are expecting longevity and health. Your actions reflect this energy and often more is done to promote whole health. 

So instead of expecting your pet to live for 10-15 years, expect 30, and ask how your pet can achieve this age in grace and health. They may not live to 30, but maybe they will live past their 'life expectancy', or at least age in grace. It's never too late to make a difference! 

Adventure Pets

Zeddie 'working' at The Dundas Cactus Festival

When people think of whole health for their pets, the first thing that comes to mind is food. After all, health starts from the inside out, right? It's true, food is a major part, if not the most important part, to keeping a healthy pet. There are; however, many, many other factors that play a part in keeping your furry, feathered, or scaled buddy around as long as possible. 

Balance is extremely important. We know it for our lives, and the same is true for the critters we care for. As crazy as it sounds, little bits of stress is good for us...and our pets! It isn't uncommon to see dogs getting outside of their comfort zone. Many people choose to travel with their dog, take them out for the day, go to parks, and include them in as many activities as possible. But what about the rest of the critters?

I love to take my Savannah cat, Zeddie places. I leash trained her when she was a kitten. Her first trip was when she was 5 months old, and we went to Ottawa. She goes to pet stores, out for walks, chooses her treats and food, has gone to various cottages, ridden in boats, and even went on a very short ATV ride (it was up to a cottage and she was in my lap safe and sound). By exposing her at a young age, I made sure that whatever happened, Zeddie was ready for it. 

In comparison, I got my second Savannah, Jimmy, when he was a little over a year. At home, Jimmy seems like he's up for anything. He loves visitors and is a complete clown. Outside of the house, though, Jimmy is a big baby, and just wants his mommy to take him home. Little bits of exposure have helped him feel more confident outside of the house, but he prefers his adventures to be at home. 

These trips are an excellent way for cats (and other critters) to stay safe, get mental stimulation, and exercise. Little bits of stress also help reduce large amounts of stress when some things happen that maybe weren't a part of the plan. My cats feel confident going to stay with their auntie when I go away and can't take them with me. They are calm in car rides, and a breeze to take to the vets. As an added bonus, environmental exposure helps ensure a healthy immune system.

What adventures do you take your pet on?