Report: More pets living longer
Here's some great news for all of us who can't bear the thought of parting one day from our furry ones.
According to this story in the New York Daily News (apparently re-purposed from MSNBC), the average pet is living as long as 15.
“Just as the average life expectancy for people keeps reaching closer to the century mark, we’ll continue to see the same parallels in our pet population,” said Martha Smith, director of veterinary services at Boston’s Animal Rescue League.
How long your pet lives can vary with breed though. Small to medium-sized pooches live longer than larger dogs. Toy dogs stick around for the longest time, while giant breeds like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and Irish wolfhounds have the shortest life span.
In general, cats outlive dogs, with many indoor ones living long enough to celebrate their 20th birthday. Siamese and Abyssinians live the longest.
Pictured above is the remarkable Mookie, who just this week, began experiencing his 23rd October. Mookie lives in Baltimore County and was featured earlier this year in Collared. Go Mook go!
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
Comments
Do these statistics account for death due to accident and injury?
I ask because my first instinct is that the coddling and helicoptering that pets get today (as substitute children and objects of other personality disorders) must play a part.
By way of even simple things like the leash laws there are far fewer pets out loose to get into trouble and then there is the medical care showered on them including trauma centers when they do.
I doubt the biology plays much of a role in this at all.
Posted by: MrRational | October 2, 2009 1:50 PM
MrRational, you have a nasty attitude.
anyhow, if you read the article, it is written:
“Just as the average life expectancy for people keeps reaching closer to the century mark, we’ll continue to see the same parallels in our pet population,”
Humans aren't living longer because of biology either. No one said the animals were biologically evolving to live longer.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 2, 2009 4:50 PM
I also have small puppy that is"Jimmy". She is little red mini girl looking so cute. I always try to take care of her very well and never leave her alone.
Posted by: jeu sonic | October 3, 2009 6:14 AM