How Old Is Your Cat In People Years
Beginning at around age 9, your cat enters senior years. At this stage, cats often begin to develop diseases common to their senior-human counterparts, such as diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and cancer. In fact, one out of 10 pets that appears healthy, has an underlying disease1.
First, identify your cat’s real age using this chart. Then, discuss ways to keep your pet healthy with your veterinarian.
How old is your cat in people years?
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Cats
As with people over the years and advances in medicine, cats have almost doubled their life expectancy. Now each cat is different and your health, care, and nutrition will be essential to determine the years you will live.
Another important factor is whether it is a domestic cat or a cat that lives on the street. The more exposed you are to the dangers of the street the less life expectancy you will have.
In general, a stray cat can live for 2-3 years without castrating and about 5-6 if it is neutered. But their conditions and health will be fundamental to their life expectancy. In the case of domestic cats the average life is 15 to 21 years.
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How Many Years Is A Cat Year
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.
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How To Tell A Cat’s Age When Their Birthday Is Unknown
How do you tell a cat’s age if their birthday is unknown? To determine their age, veterinarians generally make estimates based on body and dental condition, presence of disease and coat quality, all of which can vary based on a number of factors.
We look at the condition of their teeth, whether they have gingivitis or loss of teeth, Dr. McConigle says. But some juvenile cats have serious dental conditions that are either autoimmune or viral in nature, so that can be kind of a red herring.
Coat quality and the presence of disease also offer important clues.
If we have a cat and were not sure how old they are, but they look like an adult, well often do lab work, she says. That doesnt tell us specifically their age, but its more common to see kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or diabetes with middle age to mature cats. So, if one of those diseases is present, it kind of confirms that this cat is older.
As with humans, some cats simply age more quickly than others, Dr. McGonigle says, but you can take steps to help provide your cat with a high quality of life for as long as possible.
How Does The Cat Age Calculator Work
You simply need to enter the age of your cat into the Cat Age Calculator. Once you press the calculate button, you´ll see your cat´s age in human years straight away!
More of a dog person? If you´d like to find out the age of your dog in human years, our selection of Animal Calculators includes a Dog Age Calculator.
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Stages Of Life Of Cats
In recent years, and taking into account this increase in feline life expectancy, the stages of life have been redefined. A cat has different stages in its life, not like other pets, the cats have somewhat different. These are like humans, it mainly depends on how we judge, below are the stages of life of a cat which you can see below.
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As indicated in the table of equivalences, the stages would be:
What Are The Signs Of A Senior Cat
With this in mind, there are some physical indicators that can help you get a sense of your own cats age, particularly as your adult cat reaches the senior life stage.
- Teeth: Yellow stains and tartar build-up, missing teeth
- Coat: Graying fur, as well as thicker, coarser fur in comparison to young cats
- Eyes: Cloudiness, tearing, and discharge
- Activity level: Less activity, weight or muscle loss , arthritis is also more common
- Behavioral changes: More meowing, more wandering around, increased level of anxiety, confusion or disorientation
If youre unsure how old your cat is, you can always turn to your veterinarian for more information. Your vet will be able to use physical and behavioral markers to help make the best estimate of your cats age.
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Not Sure Of Your Pets Age
If you adopted or rescued your pet and arent exactly sure of their real age, veterinary professionals have a variety of means they can use to estimate this. As always, you should consider consulting your veterinarian and clinic staff for help with calculating your pets age, their predisposition to certain diseases, and for healthy aging care and tips for your pet.
Calculating Your Cat’s Age
We showed you how to calculate your dog’s age in dog years. We didn’t forget about our feline friends!
A while ago, we showed you how to in dog years. We didn’t forget about our feline friends! Just like dogs, cats age very rapidly during their first two years of life. A cat reaches the approximate human age of 15 during its first year, then 24 at age 2. Each year after, it ages approximately four “cat years” for every calendar year. This means that a 5-year-old feline would be approximately 36 in cat years.
This chart from The Cat Owner’s Manual will help you calculate your cat’s age:
It’s worth pointing out that cats who lives outdoors age far more quickly, perhaps even twice as fast, than an indoor cat. Typically, indoor cats may live 12 to 18 years, with many surviving into their 20s. Outdoor cats face greater threat of accident and/or illness, and average roughly 10 years.
How old is your cat in cat years?
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This Tool Provides An Estimate Only
This rate of aging kicks in. Although children reach developmental milestones at different times questions, questions, and more questions! My daughter is eight years old. when speaking about age in english, we use the verb be and not have/has. Depending on where you live, there may be laws and limitations in place for the type of work you can teenagers can work in multiple industries, including retail and food service. In 10 human years an outdoor cat is. This rate of aging kicks in around the 3 year mark. When it is somebody’s birthday, we say they turn ____. We threw a big party when my mother turned fifty. This is a list of the oldest cats in the world, listed by reported age, all of whom have attained the minimum age of 25 years. Should you want to know how old you were on a certain date in past history, or how old you will be at a future date, we’ve got you covered. Elapsed time calculator find out how many minutes, hours, or days there will be from now until a big event, or when you’ll be 2 billion seconds old, or how much time elapsed between two events in history. There’s no reliable scientific way to calculate the relationship between human and cat years, but it’s generally agreed that the first two years of a cat’s life are roughly equal to the first 25 of a human’s, and after this, each. In a feline’s very first year, he or if we think like a cat, here’s how a cat’s age compares to a human’s age.
How Old Is My Cat A Vets Perspective
Because every animal matures at a different rate, even veterinarians have trouble knowing for certain how many years, months and days a cat has been on the planet. They can, however, make a very educated guess.
When Im giving someone an estimate on their cats age, I tend to start by looking at the teeth, Barrack said. Teeth can be strong indicators of a cats potential age, especially in younger animals. A kittens baby teeth will usually start to come in when they around three weeks old, with all 26 being present by the time they are around six weeks old. Ages between three to six months can be determined by the rate at which the baby teeth are falling out and their permanent replacements are coming in.
If veterinarians see a full set of adult teeth, they usually assume the cat is at least six months old, and if those teeth are clean and sharp, the cat is likely younger than two. After that, however, things can get murky. Beyond age two it becomes a lot harder to tell the cats age by its teeth, Mears said.
Beyond the physical exam, lab work on older kitties can help veterinarians pinpoint a patients age. Kidney issues may show up around age ten, and hyperthyroid indicators a year or two later, however Mears said that he has seen these in cats as young as six or as old as 22.
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How To Convert Cat’s Age To Human Years
You can understand your cat’s development more easily if you have a general idea of his age in human years.
Variables such as genetics, diet, environment, and access to routine preventative medical care can alter your cat’s comparative human age. Although you might not have any control over the cat’s heredity, you do have options for controlling the other factors which control your cat’s aging process.
Telltale Signs An Old Cat Is Dying
Recognizing the signs a cat is dying of old age can help you make the best choice for your pet. Weight loss, an unpleasant odor, and other symptoms of aging can indicate your cat may be approaching the end stage of its life, but the severity of the symptoms can help you determine how much time is left.
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Elderly Cats Special Considerations
30th July 2018
Cats are living much longer now than was the case 20 years ago, thanks to better nutrition, veterinary and home care. In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.
The formula for calculating the equivalent age is fairly simple:
the first two years of a cats life equate to 24 human years and every year thereafter is equivalent to 4 human years. For example, a 16-year-old cat would be equivalent to an 80-year-old human.
See our information on how to tell your cats age in human years.
How To Calculate Cat Years To Human Years
- First two years of the Cat = 25 years of a human
- Then every year of human is equal to 4 Cat Years. However, this depends on how active your Cat is, and use our cat years calculator to convert their age. This calculator will give you a rough estimate of cats age to human years.
That old chestnut about one cat year being the equivalent of seven human years is just plain wrong. For example, a six-month-old human is a babe in arms, whilst a six-month-old cat can look after themselves and have kittens of their own. Converting cat years to human years is complex because our feline friends age rapidly in their first couple of years and then slow up.
But more important is knowing your cats life stage. This matters because the organs work differently as the body ages. When you adjust their diet to put a minimum strain on their kidneys, this helps extend the average lifespan of a cat.
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There Are 6 Life Stages For Cats:
- Kitten 06 months
- takes the cat up to the equivalent of about 70 human years
- Super Senior 15 years and overmany cats do reach this stage, some not showing any signs of being so senior in age
The table below shows all of the stages and also the equivalent human age. What these stages let us do is to appreciate how old the cat is inside, since, as has been pointed out, this is often not very obvious from the outside, as cats seldom go grey or show outward signs of pain or illnesses such as arthritis.
International Cat Care has set up a preventative healthcare initiative called Cat Care for Life. The programme looks at the health checks your cat should be having dependant on its age and what age-related changes you can expect to see in your cat.
For full details please visit the Cat Care for Life website.
Why Is Understanding My Cats Age Important
Now that you know how to properly calculate your cats age into human years, you might be wondering: How long do cats live? What is the life expectancy of my cat?
Generally, cats are known to live longer than dogs they can live anywhere from 20 to 25 years. In fact, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest cat ever lived to be 38 years and 3 days old, which is 168 in human years!
Like dogs, however, once cats reach seven to 10 years old, they start to transition into their mature years. Knowing that theyve entered this life stage is important, so you can know how best to care for them. During this time from seven to 10 years old youll want to keep a closer eye on your cat for signs of aging, especially since older cats are more likely to develop diseases like cancer, arthritis, and heart, kidney, and liver disease.
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How Old Is My Cat In Cat Years How Do I Calculate My Cats Age
The image above is an approximate calculation of how many years a cat would be if it were human.One of the important issues to keep in mind are the life stages of the kittens. During the first two years, cats become adults, so their first two years would be like our 24 years.
From there, the most common equivalence is to think that each year of the cat equals 4 human years. With this you can get the answer for your question how old is my cat. And also you will get the cat years chart too.
The Real Way To Calculate Your Cats Age In Human Years
Rebecca Hart
Cat owners across the country are known for treating their cats just like their human offspring, so it’s natural to complete the process by figuring out how old our cats are in human years.
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to do, says Marty Becker, DVM and founder of Fear Free Pets. But if math isn’t your thing, feel free to simply scroll down to the handy-dandy chart below. We won’t mind!
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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.
What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of My Cat
The true answer is that it depends, but indoor cats usually live longer than outdoor cats. On average, indoor cats live 16 to 18 years and some even reach the venerable age of 20.
Life expectancy in cats also varies depending on the breed, as some cat breeds will naturally live longer than others. For example, Siamese and Manx breeds are said to live the longest, so could reach a ripe age in human years!
Did you know that according to some sources, the worlds oldest cat lived to be 34? Thats 153 in human years! Read more fascinating cat facts here.
Cats life expectancies have increased dramatically in the last few decades. Although its never enough, were spending more and more time together with our feline friends and that can only be a great thing.
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Cat Years Calculator Principles
It’s a common misconception that one year in the life of a cat is equivalent to seven human years. In reality, the cat years calculation is a bit more complicated. Kittens grow fast while they’re still young, but the older they are, the slower the aging process becomes. It means that after one year, your cat is as old as a seven-year-old human child, but for older cats, each year is equivalent to only four human years.
Naturally, not all cats age alike. A cat that lives outdoors will generally have a shorter life than an indoor cat. Additionally, while typical felines live about 10-15 years, certain breeds age slower or faster. Still, this cat age calculator should give you a good idea of the seniority of your cat.
Would you like to find out even more about cats? Try one of our handy tools!
How To Estimate A Cats Age
If you adopted a kitten or cat and arent sure how old they are, then the best place to start when estimating age is their teeth. Teeth are a strong indicator of age, especially in younger cats.
3-6 weeks: baby teeth come in
3-6 months: baby teeth fall out, and adult teeth are in
1-2 years: teeth are clean and sharp
3-5 years: teeth are starting to wear and are yellowing
More accurate assessments can be performed by a veterinarian, and often they will look at other factors such as the coat, muscle definition, and other health indicators to judge the cats age.
Want to find the age of a dog in dog years? Try our dog age calculator.
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How Old Is Your Cat In Human Years
Adrienne Kruzer, BS, RVT, LVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals.
Alex Barlow / Getty
Historically, people often think every year of a cat’s life is equivalent to seven years of a human’s life, but cats actually age must faster than that. And with age, we know that diseases often follow, but cats also act differently at certain life stages. Because of these things, it’s not only helpful, but also important to be able to understand what your cat is going through at each stage of its life.
Caring For Your Golden Girl
You can also take some easy steps at home to improve your cat’s quality of life in her senior years:
- Choose a high-quality food made for senior cats:Youthful Vitality 7+ Cat Food, for instance, is specially formulated to support brain function, energy and vitality, healthy kidneys and bladder, healthy digestive system and luxiurious fur.
- Give her a warm place to rest: Especially if she suffers from arthritis, she’ll appreciate you moving her bed from a drafty area.
- Think easy access: Give her a litter box, water bowl, and food bowl on every floor of your house. If she seems to be having trouble climbing into the litter box, find one with lower sides or even try an old cookie sheet.
- Help her groom: Many people rarely brush their cats because they are such good self-groomers. But as your cat ages, brushing your cat serves a dual-purpose of acting as a bonding activity and keeping her coat healthy when she can no longer do it alone.
- Continue to Exercise Her: Here are some easy ways to keep your senior cat moving.
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What To Expect With Elderly Cats
When a cat ages, a greater burden is placed upon its internal organs. Old age is not so much the killer as are the complications that arise during your cat’s last years. When your cat is aging, you may find:
- Your veterinary visits will increase dramatically.
- The treatment of any underlying diseases or conditions will become more complex and offer less satisfying results.
- Your cat may develop complications from these treatments.
- Your cat will become more susceptible to secondary infections.
- Your cat may also become resistant or sensitive to medications.
There are many common age-related diseases of cats:
- Hormonal disorders
At 14 Cat Years Old An Indoor Only Cat Would Be 72 Human Years Old And An Outdoor Cat Would Be 120 Years Old
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So How Long Is A Cat Year In Human Years
Once you know roughly how old your kitty is, you can compare her age to your own. It turns out that the ratio of cat years to human years isn’t as simple as a single conversion rate; cats develop the fastest during their first two years of life and then slow down. So at the end of her first year, your cat is approximately at the same developmental stage as a human that is 10 or 15 years old, and by age two, your cat will be around 25 in human years. After that, cats tend to develop more slowly, Barrack said, aging about four or five human years every 12 months.
Putting your pets age in human terms not only helps you empathize with your cat, it also show the importance of regular veterinary checkups. A year time frame in a cats life is significant, Mears says. Things can change dramatically. If an adult cat year is equivalent to four or five human years, its easy to see how arthritis could develop, organ function could decrease and neurologic changes might develop is such a seemingly short period of time.