Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cat Years Versus Human Years

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How Many Years Is A Cat Year

Dog Years To Human Years Vs Cat Years To Human Years

Cats experience life at a much more accelerated rate than people do. In comparison, a cat reaches sexual maturity at five months and can become pregnant with a litter before there is time to spay or neuter.

Likely the most use that the cat years to human years calculation can serve, is that it helps veterinarians determine which of the six life stages a cat is in, amongst them: kitten, adolescent, or senior. Other factors play an important role in determining age too, not only a cats human age.

How Do I Calculate My Age In Cat Years

To calculate your age in cat years:

  • If you’re forty years old or more:
  • Subtract 40 years from your age.
  • Divide the result by 4.
  • Add 6 years to the result of the division to get your age in cat years.
  • If you’re less than forty:
  • Subtract 1 from your age in years.
  • Multiply the result by 3.
  • Divide the multiplication by 19 to get your age in kitten years.
  • How Long Can Cats Live How Long Do Cats Live On Average

    Cats have an average life expectancy of 16 to 18 years, though some cats may live even longer. In fact, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center, many cats live to be 20 or 21.

    Certain cat breeds are known to have notably long life expectancies while some are more susceptible to certain health issues than others. For instance, both Siamese and Savannah cats are said to have a life span as long as 20 years. Meanwhile, Ragdoll and Persian cats are both susceptible to Polycystic Kidney Disease .

    According to the UC Davis Department of Veterinary Medicine, indoor cats are expected to live much longer than outdoor cats. This is largely because indoor cats face fewer hazards than cats who live outdoors. Outdoor cats are vulnerable to threats like predators, traffic, toxins, and diseases from other animals that indoor cats may never come into contact with. Keep outdoor cats safe with these tips.

    Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed. Even indoor cats that are extremely well cared for may fall ill unexpectedly, while breeds that are highly prone to certain health afflictions may never be affected by them. As frustrating as it may be, thereâs just no way of knowing how long your cat will live.

    Feeding your cat a balanced diet and ensuring they maintain a healthy body weight can help increase your catâs life expectancy and keep them agile and active well into old age.

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    Cat Years To Human Years: How Old Is My Cat

    When you adopt a cat from a shelter or take in a stray, its usually impossible to know the exact age of your newest family member. Sure, theres a clear difference between a kitten and a senior cat-izen but to the untrained eye, the years in between might look a lot alike. Youll likely bring her to a veterinarian, who will conduct a physical exam and maybe run some tests to help determine your kittys approximate age. But what exactly do doctors look at? And how precise are their estimates?

    To learn more, we caught up with Dr. Erick Mears, the medical director for BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Florida, and Dr. Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture in New York City to find out how the experts determine a cats age.

    The Real Way To Calculate Your Cats Age In Human Years

    How to Calculate Cat years to Human years (Calculator &  Chart)

    Rebecca Hart

    Cat owners across the country are known for treating their cats just like their human offspring, so its natural to complete the process by figuring out how old our cats are in human years.

    Luckily, its pretty easy to do, says Marty Becker, DVM and founder of Fear Free Pets. But if math isnt your thing, feel free to simply scroll down to the handy-dandy chart below. We wont mind!

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    Cat Years To Human Years: Your Feline’s Lifespan Explained

    The science on cat years to human years suggests felines age at a far faster rate than their owners. Although our furry friends go through all the same life stages as us, they usually live for a fraction of the time that we do.

    Studies show the average cat may only live to be 14, which is the equivalent of age 70 in human years.

    According to Cats Protection’s Field Veterinary Officer Dr Lucinda Alderton-Sell, ageing in cats begins rapidly, but slows down as they get older.

    Newsweek consulted the experts on how a cat’s lifespan works in comparison to humans, and how to care for older cats.

    What Are The Signs Of Aging In Your Pets

    When it comes to figuring out how old your pets are, your best bet is to do a full analysis of their bodies and attitudes. This is a great way to contrast dog and cat years without using a cat calculator or the 7-year myth.

    After all, you don’t want to spend all this time getting a cat to trust you only to let their senior years catch you by surprise.

    There are a couple of areas you can look out for:

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    What Factors Affect My Cats Life Expectancy

    A cat is a senior once theyve reached about 10-11 years old. Read our recommendations for taking care of a senior cat. To make sure your cat lives a long, happy life, you should closely monitor things like development, nutrition, physical exercise, and vaccinations.

    Just like different lifestyles would impact a humans life expectancy, there are many factors that can shorten or lengthen a cats life. If you want to have more years of joy with your muffin, make sure you are careful about the following:

    Routine medical checkups: Vaccines and other preventative measures are not the only times you should go to the vet. Your adorable kitty may continue to act adorable without seeming like theres something wrong with it. Its likely that you only notice when a certain underlying condition has progressed to the point of no effective treatment. Dont let that happen and take your cat to the vet for annual or bi-annual tests to rule out any suspicious conditions. If caught early, it can easily be treated.

    You can also consider pet insurance to cover an unexpected illness. After all, your one in a million munchkin deserves the best chance at a healthy and happy life.

    FAQ about cats age and cat years:

    WATCH: 3 Important Tips To Care For an Old Dog

    Do indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats?

    How can I tell if my cats a senior cat or an old cat?

    There are a bunch of tell-tale signs indicating your cat is a senior or reaching the senior stage.

    The final words

    Outdoor Cats Life Expectancy How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live In Cat Years

    Cat-Years vs Human-Years

    Outdoor cats can have a significantly shorter life span then indoor-only cats, often living only two to five years. Pet parents in urban and suburban areas are strongly encouraged to keep their cats indoors.

    Tell us: How old is your cat in cat years? How old is your cat in human years?

    This piece was originally published in 2017.

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    How To Keep Your Cat Young

    Lifestyle and dietary factors greatly impact an animals health and their chances of living well into old age. Thats why Dr. McGonigle emphasizes preventative care for cats of all ages.

    Disease prevention, a balanced diet and routine vet visitsall of those things can keep cats healthy for as long as their genetics allow, she says. Here are some tips:

    • Be proactive. Preventative treatments for such parasites as heartworms, fleas and ticks are important. Why? Because fleas and ticks carry diseases, Dr. McGonigle says.
    • Focus on diet. Though she doesnt endorse a particular brand of cat food, Dr. McGonigle recommends a premium, balanced diet that keeps in mind a cats unique nutritional needs.
    • Go for regular checkups. As a general rule, cats should visit the vet once a year up to the age of seven, and twice a year for cats past that age. We can help extend their lives and keep up the quality of their lives, Dr. McGonigle says.
    • Brush your cats teeth. This can be tricky, so its best to get them used to a toothbrush while theyre young. Dr. McGonigle says its for a good reason: Good dental health is associated with better overall health outcomes for cats. Learn how to brush your cats teeth here.

    Cats should eat and drink regularly throughout their lives, Dr. McGonigle says. Abnormal food or water intake, especially if accompanied by weight loss, should prompt a visit to the vet.

    Read more:

    A Guide To Feline Aging

    Jillian Dara is a fact checker for The Spruce Pets, reviewing articles about pet care and pet products for factual accuracy and consistency. She has more than five years of experience in lifestyle editing and media and has been published in a variety of prestigious outlets.

    It’s a known fact cats develop and age rapidly. While we may wish our kittens and adult cats could live as long as we do, cats develop differently than humans. For example, by 1 year of age, kittens are as mature as a 15-year-old human child, while a four year old cat is in the prime of their life as the equivalent of a 32-year-old in human.

    While the rapid maturity of cats may be shocking, even relatively long-lived cats do not live as long as we would like them to. On the plus side, the relative age of cats can depends on factors including genetics, diet, lifestyle, and veterinary care. Although cat owners cannot control much when it comes to heredity, we can make positive choices for our pets when it comes to the other factors.

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    Cat Years To Human Years: How Old Is My Cat Really

    How old is my cat, and how long can cats live? If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about your cat’s age in human years, this is the article for you.

    If your cat is a rescue, youâre bound to find yourself wondering How old is my cat? While the number may not matter, having some idea of your catâs age can help you anticipate their needs and provide them with everything they require for a healthy and happy life.

    Below youâll learn how catâs age in relation to humans, simple tips for honing in on your catâs age, the signs of a senior cat, how long cats live, and what you can do to help ensure your cat lives a long life at your side. And while youre here, check out how to keep outdoor cats safe.

    Caring For A Senior Cat

    How old is your cat in cat years? Convert your cat

    The age that a cat is considered a senior depends on several factors, including size, but in general, cats enter their senior years around age 12, according to Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine. They tend to slow down and sleep even more .

    You can be sure they still love to eat, and this is where its important to watch for weight issues. With less activity and more sleep, you might need to cut back on their food or change to a product formulated especially for older cats.

    This is also the life stage where age-related ailments tend to start to appear and regular vet checks are even more important. Some common issues seen in senior cats include:

    • Arthritis
    • Matted fur
    • Confusion related to senility

    But every cat is individual, and you shouldnt ever assume that a cats change in behavior is age-related without checking with a veterinarian first.

    Also Check: How Long For A Cat To Give Birth

    A Farewell To Nutmeg 32 Years Young

    Nutmeg was from the UK and he led a really happy and uneventful life with a wonderful couple, Liz and Ian Finlay, who considered him their son. It wasnt until 2015 that he suffered a serious seizure and stroke. Nutmeg was treated by Westway Veterinary Centre in Newcastle and they helped him bounce back from the incident. Sadly, his health made a turn for the worse during the summer and he passed away on August 29, 2017. The Finlay family is completely heartbroken and do not plan to get another cat.

    Do you have a cat that has lived a really long and vibrant life? Be sure you tell us about it in the comments or on Facebook!

    How To Tell A Cats Age By Their Teeth

    A catâs teeth can be telling when it comes to determining their age. Adult cats have 30 teeth, while kittens have 26 baby teeth .

    Kittens develop their first teeth between 2 and 4 weeks of age. By 6 weeks of age, kittens should have all of their deciduous teeth. Between 4 and 7 months of age, the deciduous teeth are replaced by adult teeth.

    Counting a catâs teeth is a good place to start when trying to gauge their age. Once you determine whether the cat is a juvenile or an adult, you can use other characteristics to further narrow in on their age.

    The color of a catâs teeth and the amount of tartar present can also help indicate how old they are. Cats between 1 and 2 years of age often have some yellowing on their teeth, but tartar buildup should still be minimal. Beyond 3 years, you may see tartar buildup around the base of each tooth.

    This is not a perfect science though, since cats with excellent dental hygiene will not exhibit much tartar, regardless of age.

    Dark stains on a catâs teeth or missing teeth could be indicative of a senior cat .

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    How Old Is A Cat In Human Years

    An old wives’ tale often suggested to find out a dog’s age, you multiply it by seven to reveal its human equivalent. However, this is not correct for either pet.

    Dr Lucinda Alderton-Sell told Newsweek: “Between the ages of three and six, cats are in the prime of their lives and usually at their peak of physical fitness. This period covers age 24-40 in human years.”

    “They then move into their mature years, from seven to ten when they may start to slow down a bit and put on weight. This is when they’re the human equivalent of being in their mid-40s to mid-50s.”

    “From there, they reach what would be the retirement age for humans, turning the human equivalent of 70 when they are 14.”

    “At this time in their lives, they need more rest and tend to live at a slower pace of life. If they live to 21, this would be 100 years in a human lifetime, so naturally their health will likely be waning.”

    How To Use Your Cat Years Calculator

    Cat years to Human years – How old is your cat ?

    Now, if youve read our dog years vs human years article, then youd be fur-miliar with working out your poochs age. This is a great first step when comparing dog years and cat years. The next step is to dive into what it means to use a cat years calculator and figure out how to tell a cat’s age.

    If youre looking for an easy way to figure out your cats age, you can always use an automated cat years calculator. Personally, we like to use this one to figure out cats years vs human years. This is pretty straightforward, but it isnt totally reliable due to discrepancies with your cats breed and overall health.

    Then, theres the method that requires you to look at your cats well-being and general stature. This is considered to be a more accurate look at where your cat is in their lifes timeline.

    The difference in calculating your pet’s age is just one of the many ways cats and dogs differ. If you’re wondering if you should get a cat or a dog, you should read our post here.

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    Do Indoor And Outdoor Cats Age The Same Way

    Another factor that may play a role in how cats age is whether theyre indoor or indoor-outdoor cats. In fact, the AAHA actually states that this is a controversial topic and there is valid rationale behind both sides of the argument.

    According to the AAHA, indoor cats are less likely to experience trauma and exposure to certain infectious diseases which may result in longer lifespans. On the other hand, indoor cats may be at a greater risk for illness due to environmental limitations.

    For outdoor cats, the reverse is true. Although outdoor cats can benefit from a natural and stimulating environment, theyre at a much greater risk for trauma and exposure to disease.

    Ultimately, its up to each cat parent to decide which of these lifestyle options works best for their cat, but its worth noting that this decision may contribute to the way your cat ages.

    Cat Years To Human Years

    Converting between cat years and human years isnt as simple as using a factor of 7 . The main reason is that cats mature quickly in the first couple of years of life.

    To convert cat age to an equivalent human age, an accepted method is to add 15 years for the first year of life. Then add 10 years for the second year of life. After that, add 4 years for every cat year. This means that by year two, a cat has matured to about the same as a 25 year old human.

    Not everyone agrees on the same conversion formula. For a slightly different calculation, the Cat Bible, a book by Tracie Hotchner, provides the following list:

    • 1-month-old kitten = 6-month-old human baby
    • 3-month-old kitten = 4-year-old child
    • 1-year-old cat = adulthood, the equivalent of 18 human years
    • 2 human years = 24 cat years
    • 4 human years = 35 cat years
    • 6 human years = 42 cat years
    • 8 human years = 50 cat years
    • 10 human years = 60 cat years
    • 12 human years = 70 cat years
    • 14 human years = 80 cat years
    • 16 human years = 84 cat years

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