Calculating Cat Years
Article checked by a vet
Have you ever wondered how to accurately convert cat years to human years? You’re not alone! This is a frequently asked question and one that can be a little tricky to answer because cats age differently from humans. Cats age more quickly during their youth because of their shorter lifespans. Decoding your cat’s age by converting human to cat years can give you a better understanding of your pet from your perspective. There is a commonly known theory that 1 human year is equivalent to 7 cat years. This is a good average to work with if your pet is older, but it is not accurate for younger cats as a 1-year-old cat is already much more advanced than a 7-year-old. Health needs, lifestyle and personality are all impacted by your cat’s age, so decoding cat years to human years more accurately can provide you with lots of information and give you a deeper understanding of our feline friends.
The difference between human years and cat years
During the first two years of a cat’s life, their development is rapid and by the time your cat has reached their second birthday, their age is roughly equal to 24 human years. After the first two years of your cat's life, every additional year is equivalent to 4 human years. For example, when your cat turns 3, they will be roughly 28 years old! This fast development slows down as your cat gets older, for example, 15 cat years is 76 human years.
Human to Cat Years Chart
Cat Age | Human Age |
|---|---|
1 year | 15 years |
2 years | 24 years |
3 years | 28 years |
4 years | 32 years |
5 years | 36 years |
6 years | 40 years |
7 years | 44 years |
8 years | 48 years |
9 years | 52 years |
10 years | 56 years |
11 years | 60 years |
12 years | 64 years |
13 years | 68 years |
14 years | 72 years |
15 years | 76 years |
16 years | 80 years |
17 years | 84 years |
18+ years | 88 years |
Each Additional Year | + 4 years |
To make converting cat years to human years less complicated we have put together this handy cat ages chart so you can easily work out your cat's equivalent age.
For example: 13 in cat years is equivalent to 68 in human years!
Ways to identify your cat’s age
If you have rehomed or adopted your cat from a shelter you may not know their exact age. In these cases, owners can use various physical and behavioural cues to help determine their cat's approximate age. These methods may not be definitive but they can give you a good estimate to work with!
Teeth
While teeth can provide insights into a cat's age, it is important to note that cats can have oral health issues for a variety of reasons and it isn't an exact science.
- A kitten's first teeth erupt through the gum line at 2-4 weeks and their permanent adult teeth replace the first teeth at around four months.
- If you can only see a build up of tartar on a couple of the teeth towards the back of the mouth, that could mean that your cat might be between one and two years old.
- If there is a build up of tartar on all of your cat’s teeth, they are likely at least three to five years old. Look for signs of wear and tear, the more damage or tartar buildup, the older the cat may be. They will need to see a vet for an oral care check as dental treatment may be required.
- Missing teeth are usually a sign that your cat is a respectable senior, between 10 to 15 years of age. If you notice signs of missing, broken or loose teeth and/or red gums, your cat will need to be checked by a vet as treatment may be required.
Eyes
A cat’s eyes can be another indicator of their true age as they generally become cloudier and change in appearance in their senior years. Here are the key signs to look for.
- Young cats tend to have a smooth iris, as they mature into seniors the iris may start to have a crackly appearance.
- After 12 years, a cat’s eyes usually start showing cloudiness. If you notice tearing and eye discharge, you likely have a senior cat on your hands. However, any changes to the cat's eyes (soreness, discharge or cloudiness) needs to be checked by a vet as it is most likely a symptom of an underlying issue that needs treatment regardless of the cat's age.
Coat & Paws
Check your cat’s coat! The condition of a cat’s coat can give us more clues about their true age. Dry coats may also tangle faster and need more care, make sure to keep up with a good grooming routine with older cats.
- Fine, super-soft fur is usually reserved for young cats only. Older cats tend to have thicker, coarser fur with patches of greying hair, which is most noticeable in darker-haired cats.
- Matted fur could indicate that a cat is older than 10 years as older cats’ coats become drier and will need extra attention. This can also be a sign of poor health or neglect if the cat hasn't been groomed often enough.
- Other areas to note include your cat’s paw pads! Older cats tend to have cracked or coarser skin on their pads.
Muscle Mass + Bones
Last but not least, muscle mass and bone density can also give us a better idea of what age a cat is. Look at how their bodies fill out and how many bones you can see protruding. Middle-aged cats are known for putting on some pounds, but older cats are more likely to lose weight. This is due to older cats absorbing nutrients differently, we advise a change in diet to a complete and balanced food, tailored to meet the nutritional requirements of senior cats.
- If your cat has been losing muscle mass or they don't like to move around too much, this might be a sign of ageing.
- Older cats may be bonier and have extra skin hanging or protruding shoulder blades due to a loss of muscle mass from ageing. If you notice any of these changes in your cat, regardless of their age, they should see a vet.
What is a cat's average life expectancy?
The average life expectancy of a cat can vary based on many factors including the breed, their lifestyle (indoor or outdoor), and the pet’s overall health.
Indoor Cats: Typically live longer and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Many indoor cats reach their late teens and even early twenties!
Outdoor Cats: Generally have shorter lifespans due to risks like traffic accidents, predation, disease, and harsh weather conditions. Outdoor cats’ life spans average around 5 to 7 years.
Like most animals, genetically diverse (mixed-breed) cats are usually less likely to have inherent health risks than pure-bred cats. A loved and well cared for cat is more likely to have a longer lifespan. Vaccinations, routine parasite prevention, oral care routine, grooming, attention and interaction are key to a happy and healthy cat. A complete and well-balanced diet, tailored to their life-stage and lifestyle, alongside a good sleep routine can also improve the health of your cat in the long run!
