What are cat years

If you're a lucky owner of a cat, you are probably wondering whether your cat is still in his youth, or maybe is going through his midlife crisis. Look no further - this cat age calculator will give you all information you need, converting between cat years and human years.

You are more of a dog person? Try the dog age calculator! Or maybe a bird pet parent? Then check out our bird age converter. If you prefer rodents, you may find hamster age calculator interesting.

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.

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The easiest way to convert between cat years and human years is to use this cat age calculator. Alternatively, you can take a look at the cat years chart below that sums up the aging process of a typical feline.

If you have adopted a stray cat, it might be difficult to accurately estimate its age. Still, there are a few indicators that might give you a hint about the age:

• Cat's teeth. If you had to settle for just one indicator, this should be it. Kittens have their first permanent set of teeth when they're about four months old. If the cat's teeth are white, you could assume it's about a year old. A more yellowish color hints at the age of one to two years old, while tartar build-up or missing teeth indicate an even older cat.

• Cat's eyes. Young cats usually have bright, sparkling eyes. Some cloudiness might indicate that your cat is already 10 or more years old. Additionally, the iris of an older cat's eye appears to be a bit jagged.

• Cat's coat. The fur of a kitten is soft and fine, while older cats tend to have a coarser coat. If you find some patches of gray or white, the cat might already be senior.

To calculate cat age:

1. If the cat is 6 years old or more:
   1. Subtract 6 from its age in years.
   2. Multiply the result by 4.
   3. Add 40 years to the result to get your cat's human age.
2. If the cat is less than 6 years old:
   1. Multiply your cat's age by 19.
   2. Divide the result by 3.
   3. Add 1 year to the result of the previous step to get your cat's age in years.

To calculate your age in cat years:

1. If you're forty years old or more:
   1. Subtract 40 years from your age.
   2. Divide the result by 4.
   3. Add 6 years to the result of the division to get your age in cat years.
2. If you're less than forty:
   1. Subtract 1 from your age in years.
   2. Multiply the result by 3.
   3. Divide the multiplication by 19 to get your age in kitten years.

Cats reach sexual maturity at the age of four months. This means that cats as young as that can get pregnant. However, early pregnancy is definitely not recommended for kittens. Consider sterilizing your cat to avoid unnecessary pregnancies and more stray kittens.

To tell the cat's age, you can check:

1. The teeth - Their state, presence (missing or not), and color will indicate if a cat is young or old;
2. The eyes - Cloudy eyes are a sign of a senior cat;
3. The fur - Coarser fur and white or gray patches tell you that the cat has seen some years.

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

Below you’ll learn how cat’s age in relation to humans, simple tips for honing in on your cat’s 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 you’re here, check out how to keep outdoor cats safe. 

Table of contents

It’s commonly stated that one human year is the equivalent of 7 cat years. This is an effort to demonstrate that cats age more quickly than humans. However, they do not age proportionately.

Cats reach maturity at a much faster rate than humans in the beginning of their lives. Once they reach adulthood, their aging slows down.

It’s difficult to draw a direct comparison between a cat’s age and its human equivalent, but the general consensus is that a cat ages the equivalent of 15 human years in the first year of their life.

By the end of their second year, a cat is thought to be the equivalent of 24 or 25 human years.

From 2 years on, experts believe cats age at a rate of approximately 4 human years per cat year. 

Cat years chart: Cat years to human years

Keeping track of your cat’s aging can be confusing, so we’ve created this handy chart to help you convert cat years to human years. Understanding how old a cat is in human years can help you understand their current life stage and better predict their needs. 

How to tell how old a cat is if you don’t know when they were born 

Even if you can’t be sure when your cat was born, it’s still possible to determine their age with relative accuracy. The state of your cat’s teeth, coat, muscle tone, and eyes all offer insight into their age.

Using the tips below, you can work to identify your cat’s life stage and then make an educated guess as to exactly how old your cat is. 

How to tell a cat’s age by their teeth

A cat’s teeth can be telling when it comes to determining their age. Adult cats have 30 teeth, while kittens have 26 baby teeth (also known as deciduous 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 cat’s 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 cat’s 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 cat’s teeth or missing teeth could be indicative of a senior cat (one over 11 years old). 

What a cat’s coat says about their age

As cats age, their coats often begin to show some gray. In cats with light-colored coats, this change may not be noticeable, but for cats with dark coats, you’ll begin to see some grey or white hairs where there weren’t any before.

Older cats may begin to neglect their frequent grooming routines, leaving their coat looking dirtier or duller than it otherwise would. 

It’s not uncommon for a cat’s fur to change texture as they get older. The fur may become thinner, less glossy, or more coarse. Sometimes these changes can be indicative of a health issue, such as kidney problems or malnutrition, so if you notice sudden changes, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. 

Muscle tone – another cat aging factor

Muscle tone is another indication of how old your cat is. Kittens are typically quite lean and have not yet accumulated much muscle mass. Healthy adult cats typically have good muscle tone. They shouldn’t have protruding bones, and their spine should be straight. 

As cats enter their senior years it’s not uncommon for them to begin losing muscle. You may notice your senior cat’s shoulder blades or hip bones begin to protrude more than they did previously. Often, senior cats aren’t as active as they once were (perhaps due to the aches and pains of aging) and thus they spend more time sleeping and less time exercising. Naturally, this leads to a loss in muscle definition.

While some muscle loss is normal, excessive muscle loss could be an indication of a serious health issue. Cats with poor nutrition or health problems such as kidney disease could struggle to maintain body weight and muscle tone. If you notice a sudden, significant decline in muscle mass in your aging cat, speak to your veterinarian. 

Cat’s eyes and the aging process

Clear, bright eyes are a sign of a young cat. As cats age, they may develop cataracts or glaucoma, leading to discoloration or cloudiness of their eyes. Senior cats often have more eye discharge than a kitten or adult cat. Sometimes a cat’s irises will change shape too, beginning to look jagged around the edges rather than smooth.    

How do cats age?

As you can see in the chart above, cats undergo the biggest age-related changes in the first couple of years of their lives.

By the end of year one, cats are said to be comparable to a 15-year-old human. Within this period, a cat goes from a newborn kitten with closed eyes and no teeth to a young adult cat who has reached sexual maturity. 

Cats are said to age approximately 9 human years in their second year of life, making them the equivalent of a 24-year-old human by the time they are 2 years old. 

Two-year-old cats have reached sexual maturity, and they have stopped growing. By this time they have accumulated muscle mass and are settling into their adult physique. 

After two years, cats age more gradually, at a rate equivalent to about 4 human years for each cat year.

Once cats reach about 11 years old they are considered senior citizens. They are now the equivalent of a 60-year-old human. Around now, your cat may begin to show signs of aging, such as a decline in physique, graying fur, and changes in their eyes, teeth, and coat. 

Senior cats continue to age at a rate of about 4 human years per cat year. 

Signs of a senior cat 

Just like in humans, there are some tell-tale signs of senior status among cats. While senior cats are often still healthy and full of life, they may begin to slow down a little. As your cat transitions into senior status, it’s important to take note of any changes as drastic shifts could be indicative of serious health conditions.  

Senior cats may exhibit:

• Stiffness and decreased mobility
• Cloudy eyes
• Dull coat
• Excessive eye discharge
• Weight loss and loss of muscle tone
• Frequent urination
• Confusion or disorientation

Beyond physical decline, senior cats may also exhibit dementia. Some common signs of feline dementia include frequent meowing, disorientation, and excessive sleeping.

Senior cats can still have many wonderful years ahead of them, so don’t be discouraged or distraught if your cat is starting to slow down. Simple lifestyle tweaks, such as specially formulated food can help your senior cat make the most of their twilight 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 (PKD). 

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, there’s 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 cat’s life expectancy and keep them agile and active well into old age.  

How to make your cat live longer? 

Naturally, we all want our pets to live forever. While we can’t promise this, there are simple things you can do to help ensure your cat lives a long and fruitful life.

Just as with humans, diet and exercise are a big part of your cat’s longevity. They are also two of the few aspects you have control over. 

Feeding your cat a high-quality, balanced diet will help them stay healthy and happy throughout each stage of their life. And keep in mind that as cats age, their dietary needs change. So speak to your vet about how to provide the best nutrition for your cat in their current life stage. 

Moreover, physical activity is also essential for good feline health. You may decide to let your cat outside for this reason. In this case, a Tractive GPS Cat Tracker can be a lifesaver. The cat tracker not only shows you where your cat is at all times, but also allows you to see how much physical activity they get. These insights can help you notice any changes in your cat’s habits, allowing you to swiftly address abnormal behavior and make any necessary lifestyle tweaks.

With these tips, you’ll be able to determine your cat’s age and provide them with everything they need to thrive during this stage in their life. 

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