A common myth states that a human year is equal to seven "cat years," however in actuality, a cat is much more mature than a child when it is one year old. This tutorial will teach you all about the lifetime of your cat and how old they are in human years.


Can We Convert Cat Years to Human Years?


Can We Convert Cat Years to Human Years?: One common misunderstanding is that cats age seven years every year (in human years). In actuality, the first two years of a cat's existence are when aging happens most quickly. In his first year, a cat is around 15 years old, and by age two, he is 24. After then, the cat ages by around four cat years for every year of the calendar. As a result, a cat that is 5 in cat years would be 36 in human years.

It should be noted that an outdoor cat ages much more swiftly than an indoor cat—possibly even twice as quickly. For more information on the cat-to-human years for outdoor cats, continue reading after the break.

Characteristics of an Old Cat


There are a few ways to figure out a cat's age in cat years if you've taken in a stray or adopted one whose age is unknown. The following are some factors veterinarians look for to determine a cat's age:

1. Teeth of a cat: Cat years may be calculated from a cat's teeth. Teeth are a fantastic predictor of a cat's age, even if they cannot tell you exactly when your feline buddy will celebrate their birthday. If the cat's former owner neglected to wash its teeth, older cats typically have more discoloration than younger cats. Additionally, a kitten's primary set of teeth erupts between two and four weeks after birth, followed by their permanent set at four months. Therefore, a cat is probably approximately a year old if you open its mouth and see permanent, white teeth. The cat may be between the ages of 1 and 2 depending on some yellowing and between 3 and 5 depending on the amount of tartar on all of its teeth. You could have an elderly cat on your hands if they are missing teeth.

The benchmarks are:

  • The first teeth of a kitten erupt between two and four weeks.
  • About four months after birth, their white permanent teeth erupt.
  • A few teeth with yellow tartar stains might indicate that your cat is between one and two years old.
  • The cat is probably between three and five years old if the stains are present on all of its teeth.
  • Missing teeth often indicate that your cat is a mature senior, aged between 10 and 15 years.
  • However, regardless of age, some cats may simply have worse teeth than others.
  • On the floor, a little striped kitten is seated.
  • If your cat's teeth are not always the accurate sign you hoped for, its eyes might provide you with important information.

2. The Bone of a Cat's Muscle: Due to their increased level of activity, younger cats are more likely to have some muscular definition. Older cats tend to be a little bonier and may have shoulder blades that stick out or excess skin that hangs down. Pay attention to aspects that might round out your cat's age profile because age can conceal itself behind looks. A higher degree of exercise provides your cat with defined muscles, much like in people. A juvenile cat enjoys jumping, running, and playing. Therefore, if you see that your cat tends to lose muscle mass or that they don't like to walk around a lot, this might be an indication that they are becoming older. Older cats may have more boning, sagging skin, or shoulder blades that are projecting. For extra advice, see our guide to cat body condition.


3. The Cat's Coat: Another excellent way to determine a cat's age in cat years is to look at the state of its coat. Older cats often have thicker, rougher fur, but kittens and younger cats typically have softer finer coats. Gray or white patches may appear on an older cat. Age causes a cat's fur to alter. Only young cats often have fine, silky hair. Older cats typically have patches of grey hair and fur that is rougher and thicker.


You are now fully informed about cat lifespans and how to convert cat ages into human years! For more information about cats, including kittens and geriatric cats, keep reading our content hubs.


4. Eyes of a Cat: Younger cats frequently have bright, clean eyes without weeping or ocular discharge. A cat that has considerable cloudiness in its eyes is probably 12 years old or older. Examine the iris of the eye while examining the lens. Irises on young cats are smooth, whereas those on older cats can have a jagged appearance. Additionally, you probably have an elderly cat on your hands if you observe tears and eye discharge.


The lifespan of a cat


Although mileage vary based on owner care and genetic inclination, cats often live pretty long lives. Cats have lived more than 30 years in a small number of reported instances. The average longevity of indoor cats is 12 to 18 years, with many lasting into their 20s.

Did you notice? The oldest cat in the world lived to reach 34 years old, according to some accounts. In human years, that is 153! Check out these interesting cat facts. The lifespan of cats has significantly risen during the past few decades. We're spending more and more time with our feline companions, which can only be a good thing even if it's never enough.

How many years in a cat's lifetime can an outside cat expect to live?


Outdoor cats frequently live just two to five years, which is a much lower lifespan than indoor-only cats. Cat owners in cities and suburbs are strongly advised to confine their pets indoors.

Message us: What year(s) of a cat does yours have? How many human years old is your cat?