Calculate the-age of your cat
If you have a cat, you have surely wondered at least once how old your kitty is compared to a human.
Knowing your cat's age can help you better understand its needs, behavior and health status. However, there is no simple, universal formula for converting feline years to human years, as cats age at different rates depending on various factors. In this article we will explain how to generally calculate cat age, what are the stages of a cat's life, and what are the signs that indicate a cat's age.
How to calculate cat age in human years
Calculating your dog's age in human years is quite simple, but it depends a lot on size. Unlike dogs, our feline friends are about the same size, so calculating your cat's age is the same regardless of your cat's breed.
Just like dogs, cats age very quickly during the first two years of life. A cat reaches the approximate human age of 15 during its first year, then 24 at age two. It ages about four "cat years" per calendar year thereafter. This means that a five-year-old feline has about 36 cat years. Although there is no concrete scientific way to measure the conversion from feline years to human years, these criteria are generally agreed upon by most feline experts.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest cat in the world was Crème Puff, who lived to be 38 years old! This is the equivalent of 168 years in human years!
It is worth noting that outdoor cats age much faster, perhaps even twice as fast as a cat living indoors. Typically, indoor cats can live 12 to 18 years, with many surviving into their 20s. Outdoor cats face a greater threat of accidents and are more susceptible to disease and are lucky to live 10 years. Indoor cats remain protected from these threats and generally receive more consistent veterinary care, helping them to stay healthier and live longer.
Calculate a cat's age by examining its teeth
Calculating a cat's age can be done quite reliably by checking its teeth. Kittens are born without teeth, but generally have all or most of them by four weeks of age. Just like people, these are baby teeth and will fall out and be replaced. Kittens will have their permanent set of pearly whites by four months.
Some cats have worse teeth than others, due to genetics, poor nutrition or lack of veterinary care. But in most cases, a young cat under three years old will have only a few yellow spots on its mostly white teeth. If you notice tartar on all or most of his teeth, he may be a little older, about five years old. And if you see a heavy yellow or brown spot or even a few missing teeth, you are probably looking at an older cat. If you are not sure, your veterinarian can help you calculate your cat's age as well.
Now all you have to do is calculate your cat's years!!