Yesterday, while I was in my chair reading, my cat Mollie, was comfortably sleeping on my lap. Mollie is going to be 13 years old this month. I suddenly became sad when I realized that she’s getting up there in age. She and I are very close and believe it or not, many times I would rather be sitting quietly with her on my lap then dealing with some difficult people. Our pets provide us with love and comfort. It’s important that we appreciate them while they are with us.

Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats. They can live up to 20 years of age if they are cared for well.  Spayed and neutered cats live longer because they are not subject to ovarian and testicular cancers. Did you know that most outdoor cats live only three or four years because they face many dangers like traffic, attacks from other animals, feral diseases and stress? Mixed breed cats usually live longer than purebreds since their genetic makeup usually shields them from hereditary diseases. Diet and exercise are necessary to keep indoor cats healthy.

An indoor cat can provide you with many years of love and companionship.

Remember, your pets count!