Number 1 for Health and Longevity
After reading the life stories of a few cats that inspired RejuveCat (Sole', Liddle, Lynx, Pablo), you might be wondering what we do to keep our cats healthy and living a long time. There are some pretty obvious "best-practices" and maybe a few surprising things. In the next series of blog entries you will find out how we end up with cats mostly arriving at or exceeding the average feline lifespan.
The number one thing you can provide your cat in order to produce a healthy, happy, and long life is time. I am not referencing "buying time" through medical interventions, but "spending time" with your cat (or any pet).
Pablo getting his favorite treat - catnip
Here is a story about loving care that many of you have never heard, but if you own a pet, you should take it to heart.
A few years ago, an X-prize-style monetary reward was offered for whoever could produce the longest-lived mouse on record and whoever could produce verified rejuvenation in a middle-aged mouse. One of the first winners of the prize money did not use any complicated biotechnology. He did not inject the mouse with some new medicine. He did not develop a superfood diet for the mouse.
He spent time with the mouse.
By giving it personal attention, a clean cage, daily loving interaction, and new toys, it ended up being the longest-lived mouse in the world (at the time…about 15 years ago). Talk about an easy way to earn a six figure prize! Read more about the Methuselah Mouse Prize here.
To pet-lovers, this should not be a surprising result. When you develop a connection with your cat or dog, it is obvious that they benefit. They are happier and likely to live a lot longer when you play and interact with them. Not only is the resulting exercise a great help for health, the emotional connection pays dividends. If you have fun and get exercise along with your pet, then it is mutually beneficial! A healthy and happy owner is a better owner. Catster has some good tips for exercising with your cat. Here is a list of 7 scientifically proven benefits of spending time with your cat.
I am often sad at the end of a busy day when I think back and realize that I have not given my cats enough attention and I am often dismayed at the people who dismiss the need to spend time with cats. Yes, they are naturally a more solitary animal, but anyone who adopts a cat knows that even the most skittish cat will find their own special way to make a connection. Cats who have a loving home are routinely living to 15 years in the present day and it is not too uncommon for cats to reach 20 years of age.
Conan helping celebrate a Packers trip to the super bowl in 2011
For those who have a disability and are unable to be as active as you would like to be, there are some new robotic cat toys hitting the market that will help your cat get exercise.
Pablo helping dad get through some office work
RejuveCat is in the process of investigating and researching medicines and treatments that will help to rejuvenate elderly cats and pets - those who are past the point of benefiting from time well spent. This will take time. In the meantime, spend time with your cat. Play with them. Love them. Maybe they will live to see the day when they are returned to youthful health.
How do you spend time with your cat or dog? Do you have some interesting activities? What are the best “active” toys? Leave a comment below.