Is your cat starting to show wisdom and maturity? Are you a first-time cat parent? Are you pondering Jack Handey’s “deep thinking” about the age of cats versus the age of humans? Understanding the growth pattern of your furry companion cat is key to providing him or her with the best possible living conditions. Like most pets, cats age much faster than we do – probably because they think we’re immortal, like the elves in The Lord of the Rings. In the first year of life, your cat experiences rapid growth: infancy, adolescence, and even early teens – including discovering the Queen for the first time and slamming the door when you enter without knocking. When they reach 11 to 14 years of age, they are officially in their golden years.
While obvious changes such as changes in size can clue you in to your cat’s age, much of their aging process happens below the surface. So, how old is your feline friend in “cat years”? Check out our handy chart to find out if your cat is an active kitten ready for a break or a seasoned veteran considering retirement.
How old is my cat in cat years?
Age group: Kitten
Cat age | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
0-1 month | 0-1 year |
Two months | 2 years |
3 months | 4 years |
4 months | 6 years |
5 months | 8 years |
6 months | 10 years |
Age Group: Teenagers
Age of cats | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
7 months | 12 years |
12 months | 15 years |
18 months | 21 years |
2 years | 24 years |
Age Group: Adult
Age of cats | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
3 years | 28 years |
4 years | 32 years |
5 years | 36 years |
6 years | 40 years |
Age group: Maturity
Age of cats | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
7 years | 44 years old |
8 years old | 48 years |
9 years | 52 years |
10 years | 56 years |
Age Group: Elderly
Age of cats | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
11 years | 60 years |
12 years | 64 years |
13 years | 68 years |
14 years | 72 years |
Age Group: Super Senior
Age of cats | Equivalent to human age |
---|---|
15 years old | 76 years old |
16 years old | 80 years old |
17 years | 84 years old |
Determining your cat’s exact age can be tricky, especially if you are adopting your cat as an adult. Your veterinarian can help you better understand its age and life stage. Knowing where your cat is on the age spectrum is essential to customizing a care plan. It can help you choose the right diet, develop an exercise routine, and prepare for any age-related health issues.
Interestingly, cats tend to age gracefully – as gracefully as Meryl Streep. They rarely show obvious signs of aging, such as gray fur or stiff movements due to arthritis. Whether you’re sharing your home with an active young cat or a wise old cat, knowing her age will help you create an ideal environment for her to thrive.
If you’re wondering how often you should feed your cat to keep her healthy as she ages, check out our cat feeding guide to make sure you’re giving her the care she deserves.
So, what’s the conclusion? Are you and your cat enjoying the best of life together like carefree 20-somethings? Or have you embraced your inner April Ludgate and adopted a feline grandmother? Regardless of age, cats have their own unique way of showing love and appreciation – they may roll in your lap or choose to remain silent. At Zera, we believe that every stage of your cat’s life deserves to be celebrated with love, care and meows.