How long does a pet live?
A new puppy is a large commitment and might be a totally long one certainly! If you are thinking of getting a puppy, check how long you can be worrying for them. As loving proprietors, of course we need our pets to stay as long as possible. But lots of things can change in our lives, so whilst you’re making the decision to feature a brand new 4-legged pal to your own family, how lengthy they may be going to be with you may have a huge effect on which pet you get. Your new pet will be your partner for their lifetime, so ensure you consider cautiously how a decade (or greater!) lengthy dedication will fit into your destiny plans. It’s important to have an excellent idea of ways long your puppy could be with you, before you are making the selection to deliver them domestic.
How long will my dog, cat or rabbits live?
There’s no way of knowing exactly how long a pet might live – it’s rather like asking ‘how long is a piece of string’. We can make estimates from research that has already been undertaken, but every pet is different and these ages should only be used as a rough guide. Assuming that your pet leads a healthy, active life that isn’t cut short because of disease or trauma, they could live a very long time indeed:
Dogs: The average dog lifespan is 14 years, but there are reports of some living into their 20’s! Size-wise you’re looking at, on average:
- Small dogs living between 7-14 years
- Medium dogs living between 8-13 years
- Large dogs living between 5-13 years.
Cats: Studies have shown the average lifespan of a cat to be around 14 years, but that is merely an average; a well-maintained cat would potentially live much longer with reports of cats living well into their 20’s.
Rabbits: On average healthy rabbits can live about 7-10 years which surprises a lot of people! Again, that’s an average age, a domestic rabbit in America once lived to 16 years, so be prepared to have your bunnies potentially a lot longer.
Horse: If you’ve ever wondered why cowboys in old movies seemed to have an unusually strong bond with their horses, it’s probably because a horse had about the same lifespan as a human in the 1800s. Horse owners actually have to consider forms of elder care for their aging steeds — which isn’t really too much of an issue if you’re wealthy enough to own a horse. The longevity of a horse is 25-30 years.
Parakeet: The lifespan of a parakeet is 5-15 years. Why such a big range for such a little bird? It’s because there are so many factors that can contribute to a parakeet’s life expectancy — and some parrots can live up to 50 years. As The Nest explains:
“Life expectancy of your pet bird is dramatically reduced if he is not given a proper diet. Give him high quality bird seed mix and pellets.”. It is wise to alternate the two to have the best nutrient mix. Fresh fruits and vegetables also should be included in his diet. He will relish leafy greens, pieces of apple or pear, melon, carrots, broccoli, pineapple and tomato fruit. Never give chocolate, caffeinated or carbonated beverages, tomato leaves, raw peanuts, avocado, fruit seeds and pits, rhubarb, potatoes or alcohol to your parakeet. These will poison your birdie and probably kill it.”
How much will my pet cost over their lifetime?
If the potential lifespan of your pet has come as a surprise, you’ll definitely want to research how much they could cost over their lifetime! We have some approximate figures to get you started:
- Dogs could cost up to £30,800 (depending on size)
- Cats could cost up to £24,300
- Rabbits could cost up to £15,000 (based on a pair).
What affects how long my pet lives?
One of the maximum figuring out elements in how long your puppy will stay is their fitness. The wrong diet and absence of exercise can trim years off your puppy’s life expectancy, that is one of the reasons why keeping them satisfied and healthy ought to be at the top of your list. You can find more about caring for your pet in our free pet care guides.
Diseases and other illnesses can also decrease your pet’s life expectancy. Like people, our pets can be poor at any time. Some breeds of dog and cat can have a higher incidence of sure existence-proscribing situations (including cancers and coronary heart conditions), so it is very critical to research very well before selecting the puppy for you. You can locate more facts on our breed pages.
Simple chance may also determine how long your pet lives. If you have an outdoor-roaming cat, for instance, they may get involved in a road traffic accident. We are not saying that you should wrap your pet in cotton wool and never let them leave the house, but make the most of all the time you get to spend with them because you never know what may happen next.
Tips to increase your pet’s lifespan
Here are some tips:
Establish a Healthy Diet Routine
A healthy diet is required to keep your pet healthy for years to come. What your pet requires is rather hard to figure out in most cases, especially in cases where the pet may have special needs.
Make Them Exercise Regularly
Like human beings, animals need to get their everyday exercising to maintain them now not only healthfully but also gladly. Simple physical activities which can increase their fitness and mood are taking them for a walk day by day or throwing the ball round. Remember to take them on further adventures during the weekends.
Keep Their Minds Stimulated
Pets can get bored doing the same thing every day. If you have to work long hours, provide them with toys that are stimulating. When you come home, keep their minds stimulated by taking them to different places or playing different types of games like catch with them.
Get a Regular Medical Checkup
Regular checkups with a veterinarian are important to hold your puppy wholesome. If you word them performing in a different way, take them in to make sure the whole lot is first-rate. Even if your puppy is acting regular all through the 12 months, nevertheless take them in for routine checkups simply to be secure.
