Common Household Pets
Regarding the most popular pets, it’s no surprise that most Americans own dogs and cats. But what about other species? There are a variety of additional animals that people keep as pets. From dogs and cats to koi fish and parrots, you’ll be amazed by the lifespan of some of the world’s oldest living pets!
Top 5 Pets that Live the Longest
Some people may not have the time or resources to care for a pet for its whole life. However, if you are looking for a long-term companion, we have compiled the top five longest-living pets just for you.
1. Tortoise
Having a tortoise as your pet is one of the best long-term options. Like tortoises such as the Sulcata, leopard, or Egyptian, this reptile has the potential to survive its human caretakers. However, given that certain tortoise species may grow up to four feet long, smaller subspecies may be ideal pets. The Hermann’s tortoise lives between 50 and 90 years and is a popular home pet as well.
2. Parrot
If you’re looking for a pet that will keep you entertained for a long time, a parrot might be just the ticket. Parrots are ideal for individuals looking for a constant source of conversation. The lifespan of African grey parrots ranges from 30 to 50 years.
3. Horse
If you are searching for a companion to go on adventures with, a horse is an excellent choice. Because a horse’s life expectancy is between 25 and 30 years, they are excellent companions for those who are yearning for companionship. Horses can be a lot of work, requiring a lot of space, food, and attention.
4. Koi Fish
Native to Japan and often found in orange or white with reddish patterns, is the koi fish. Although they are not much for “petting,” they are neat to look at. Outside of Japan, the typical lifespan of these fish is 15 years. However, koi fish have a longer life expectancy of up to 40 years in Japan.
5. Gecko
In addition to being an excellent pet, geckos can be found on every continent but Antarctica. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. The typical lifespan of the house gecko is five years, but the colorful Leopard Gecko has a life expectancy of 15 years. Male Leopard Geckos have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
The Oldest Pets Still Alive – 5 Most Common Pets
Every country has a wide variety of pets, and many of them are living long and healthy lives. It’s not uncommon to hear of some incredible results from the most awe-inspiring pets. Listed below are the oldest living pets to date. For brevity, we’ll focus on five of the most common pets.
The Oldest Living Dog
Funny Fujimura, a small dachshund, is the world’s oldest dog still alive today. On May 27th, 1999, Funny was born in Sakai, Japan. This year, Funny turned 21 years old. Funny was awarded the Guinness World Record title in November of 2020.
The World’s Oldest Living Cat
As of 2021, a 34-year-old Siamese cat in Thailand may be the world’s oldest living cat. Locals christened the brown moggie, or mixed breed, as “Grandma Wad” after a stray cat gave birth to it in 1987 in Chanthaburi province. Creme Puff, from Austin, Texas, held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living cat at 38 years old. A contender for the world’s oldest cat is also in the United States. Samm, a stray cat found in Memphis in 2002 that now lives in Portland, is believed to be 26 years old.
The Oldest Koi Fish Ever
Calculating the age of a current koi fish can be challenging since there tend to be many koi fish in enclosures. However, the age of the oldest koi fish ever is far more interesting! Hanako is the most famous koi fish to have ever existed. Hanako, the world’s oldest koi fish, died in 1977 at the age of 226! Hanako was born before the Revolutionary War began in America in 1751, and survived until after the country’s bicentennial! After Hanako’s passing, other koi fish in her pond were analyzed and it was found that the other fish in the pond were over 100 years old. This demonstrates the extreme longevity koi fish can possess when kept in ideal conditions.
The Oldest Reptile Alive Today
A 190-year-old tortoise named Jonathan is the oldest living reptile and land animal on the planet. He is believed to have been born in 1832, in the Seychelles, but he has lived in St Helena for many years. The governor’s residence on the island of St. Helena, Plantation, is where Jonathan resides. An old photograph from between 1882 and 1886 shows a fully grown Jonathan grazing on grass with a group of “St. Helenians.”
The Oldest Parrot Alive today
The world’s oldest parrot was a cockatoo named Cookie that lived in the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois and lived to 83 years of age. Unfortunately, Cookie passed away in 2016. Determining the current oldest parrot can be a challenge. The owner of one parrot in England – a macaw named Charlie – claims the parrot was 114 years old in 2014 and used to be owned by Winston Churchill. However, Churchill’s daughter denied this claim, casting doubt on Charlie’s age. Finding animals with records of their age can be a challenge, especially since many pet owners will fabricate ages for media attention.
How to Help Your Pets Live Longer
For animal lovers, it’s common to know stories of pets that have outlived their predicted lifespans. Even if we’ve met or owned a 20-year-old dog or cat, how can we ensure that our all our pets live to their full potential? To help your pet live longer, here are five suggestions:
Diet / Exercise Regimen
Diabetes, malignancies, and breathing difficulties are increased by excess body weight, while joint strain accelerates the onset and severity of arthritis. Overweight canines lived up to 2.5 years less than their ideal-weight counterparts, according to research. To keep pets healthy, they require a balanced diet and daily exercise. Some pets require more activity than others. A laser pointer, catnip, toys, and perches can all help stimulate your cat. For dogs, walking or running for 30 minutes to 2 hours every day is recommended by petmd.com.
Visit the Vet
Because pets age more quickly than humans, they are more susceptible to health issues. It’s important to keep your pet healthy and free of parasites by ensuring that it receives regular vaccinations, deworming’s, and checkups from a licensed vet.
Good Oral Care
Dental disease affects 68 percent of cats and 76 percent of dogs, and it has been related to heart and kidney disorders. To avoid this, brush your pet’s teeth and gums with a pet-friendly toothbrush or finger brush and pet toothpaste. Your vet should also clean your pet’s teeth at least once a year.
Accommodate the aging process
Senior cats are between 11 and 14 years old, whereas senior canines are between 7 and 8. If your cat suffers from joint problems, look into a litter box with lower walls or steps. Consider installing additional lighting in the stairways and walkways for pets who are losing their eyesight. Putting rugs down on slick floors and baby gates at stairwells can help prevent accidents too.
Last, But Not Least, Give Lots of Love!
Pet ownership has been shown to extend a person’s life expectancy by giving them a confidant with whom to share their experiences. Hugging and holding a pet has been shown to reduce a person’s blood pressure. Have you ever wondered if you might be good for your pet’s health as well? Love is a powerful universal language that is frequently shown in the animal kingdom. Animals have a stronger grasp on it and are more receptive to it than you might think. A little bit of love can go a very long way!
