The eternal duality between cats and dogs raises debates about the different needs of each of them, their specific care. And the abilities of each animal to accompany its master. However, the differences in feline behavior end up being an advantage for them, both in their lifestyle and in the care they receive.
Why cats live longer than dogs
Cats have a life expectancy of 15 years, while dogs live an average of 12 years. The main reason for this result is that cats are used to living in greater solitude. Thus, they do not tend to socialize with other felines. This means they are less likely to transmit and receive infectious diseases.
Indeed, animals often catch viral diseases through wounds. Or bites from fights between them. Because of their remoteness and solitude, felines are less likely to catch these diseases than dogs.
According to scientist Steve Austad, there are evolutionary theories of aging that explain that living things can survive longer if they are safe.
Similarly, Business Insider states that crossbreeding has had terrible consequences on a number of dogs. Brachycephalic dogs, for example, are known for their flattened faces and top the popularity charts for their cuddly and affectionate appearance. However, their extreme physical characteristics were created by humans. This explains why they suffer from many health problems. This includes bulldogs, Pekingese, boxers, pugs, shar pei, shih tzu, boston terriers, king charles…
“We haven’t changed cats as much as dogs. If you look at a dog and a wolf, there are big differences, both in size and behavior,” says scientist Austad.
The oldest animal
Historically, the oldest cats have lived many years longer than the oldest dogs. In fact, Creme Puff is the oldest cat in history. He was born on August 3, 1964 and died on August 5, 2005. This feline, who is the oldest cat in history, males and females combined, lived through the moon landing, the Vietnam War and the fall of the Soviet Union. He has always stayed with his owner, Jake Perry, in the US state of Texas. To give you an idea, 38 years in a cat is the feline equivalent of 169 years in humans.
On the other hand, the oldest dog in history was named Bluey. He actually reached the age of 29 years and 5 months and died in 1939. However, today, Bobi, a dog born on May 11, 1992, has managed to beat his record. Indeed, he reached the age of 30 years. He has become the oldest dog in history, as stated by the Guinness World Records.
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