Cats age differently from humans, so decoding your cat’s age by converting cat years to human years can give you a better understanding of your pet. From health needs to lifestyle and personality, decoding your cat's age can provide you with lots of information and give you a deeper appreciation for the time you’re spending together.
Understanding Cat Years
Cats have relatively short life spans compared to humans so understanding cat years and cat ages can have a big impact on many aspects from how much playtime your cat needs to dietary requirements.
People generally favour the “seven-year rule”, which equates one cat year to 7 human years, however, it is not entirely accurate as cats age faster when they are young. This rate of ageing slows down after the first few years of life. This accelerated rate of ageing can be seen most clearly when observing how rapidly a kitten matures in their first few months of life.
How Old is My Cat in Human Years?
Accurately working out how old a cat is can be difficult as there are several different methods. We think the “seven-year rule” is the easiest way for most cat owners to calculate the average life stage they are looking for to guide dietary requirements or lifestyle choices.
Cat Age Chart
Check out the cat age chart below to determine your cat's age in human years, this chart is based on the “seven-year rule” which equates one cat year to seven human years to gauge an average life stage.
Cat's Age (Years) | Equivalent Human Age |
---|---|
1 | 7 |
2 | 14 |
3 | 21 |
4 | 28 |
5 | 35 |
6 | 42 |
7 | 49 |
8 | 56 |
9 | 63 |
10 | 70 |
11 | 77 |
12 | 84 |
13 | 91 |
14 | 98 |
How Can I Tell My Cat's Age?
Working out your pet’s age in cat years isn’t always easy. Some cat owners may not know their cat's exact age because they have rehomed or adopted their pet. In these instances, owners can use various physical and behavioural cues to help determine their cat's approximate age. These methods may not be definitive, however, they can give you a good estimate to work with!
- Examine your cat's teeth: your cat’s teeth will give you an insight into how old they are. Look for signs of wear and tear, the more damage or tartar buildup, the older the cat may be. Unfortunately, some cats have worse oral health than others and this may not be the most accurate method available.
- Look at your cat's eyes: a cat’s eyes may change as they age and become cloudier.
- Assess your cat's activity level: just like humans, a cat’s energy levels start to drop as they age. Younger cats, especially kittens, are known for their lean bodies and boundless energy. Older cats may be known for sleeping longer and being less interested in play. They may also have larger guts, especially neutered males.
- Consider your cat's coat condition: the condition of a cat’s coat can give us more clues about their true age. Matted fur can indicate a cat is older than 10 years old (or this can be a sign of poor health or neglect if the cat hasn't been groomed often enough) and older cats with healthy coats may experience coarser coats. Extra soft fur generally indicates a younger cat. Other areas to note include your cat’s paw pads! Older cats tend to have cracked or coarser skin on their toe beans.
Ageing Stages in Cats
There are six key stages of a cat’s life from kitten to senior. Each stage has unique characteristics and considerations for owners to be aware of.
- Kitten (0 - 6 months): Kittens are easily recognisable by their size. Newborn kittens (or baby cats) still have their eyes closed and their ears folded and they will begin to open at 2 weeks old. Kittens need a specialised diet and should not leave their mother between 9-12 weeks.
- Kittens need more time and attention than adult cats. They also need to be litter trained and socialised at this key stage! They will spend a lot of time sleeping.
- Junior (7 months - 2 years): Junior cats are generally leaner than adult cats, they still have kitten-like qualities but they are maturing fast. Junior cats are feeling themselves and growing into their adult bodies and personalities. They require fun, engaging games and lots of dedicated playtime, especially if they are still testing your boundaries. Remember to use positive reinforcement at this stage to reinforce good behaviour.
- Adult (3 - 6 years): Your cat is in their prime! Your pet still needs dedicated playtime but will not require as much time and attention as a junior cat or kitten. They should be calmer and more set in their ways. Their diet may need an update.
- Mature (7 - 10 years): When your pet reaches their mature years they are starting to enjoy a slower pace of life. This is the stage when cats can be more likely to put on some extra weight so be mindful of their diet and make sure to encourage them to exercise.
- Senior (10 - 14 years): Your cat has entered their twilight years. Well done for getting them here! They will probably start to experience some health issues if they haven’t already as they are almost 70 years old. Be vigilant of any changes to their pooping or peeing schedules and consult your vet if you notice any. Your pet’s favourite pastimes will be napping and cuddling, make sure to indulge them often. It is a good idea to review their diet at this stage.
- Super Senior (14+ years): Your pet is now pushing the world record books! Take as much time as possible to spend with them and keep them as happy and comfortable as possible during their twilight years. Creme Puff, a Texas cat who lived to be 38 years old is one of the oldest cats according to the Guinness World Record Books.
Is 14 years old for a cat?
Yes, a 14-year-old cat is considered a senior or a super senior feline. This is equivalent to 90+ human years! Senior cats enjoying their twilight years deserve lots of love and affection and a slower pace of life. Senior cats will probably struggle with crunchy treats at this age but you can always treat them to our DREAMIES™ Creamy range.
Is 7 years old for a cat old?
A seven-year-old cat is considered a mature cat, the life stage following adult but before senior. Mature cats are more likely to put on weight during this stage of life so you may want to measure out treats and encourage plenty of exercise.
No matter what age your pet is, they all love DREAMIES™! Ultimately, understanding your cat’s life stage in human years helps us appreciate how precious our time together is.