{"id":6486,"date":"2024-02-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hartz-v2.local7\/calculating-your-cats-age\/"},"modified":"2024-03-08T18:25:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T18:25:20","slug":"calculating-your-cats-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/calculating-your-cats-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Calculating Cat Age"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Calculating

After age two, a cat ages approximately four \"cat years\" for every calendar year.<\/p><\/div>\n

These days, it\u2019s not uncommon for cats to live for 15 or even 20 years! With an increase in older cats, it makes sense that cat lovers would be curious about just how old their cat would be compared to human years. Let\u2019s find out how to calculate a cat\u2019s age.<\/p>\n

Decoding Your Cat's Age<\/h3>\n

Calculating your dog\u2019s age<\/a> in human years is pretty simple, but it depends a lot on size. Unlike dogs, our feline friends are all roughly the same size, so the calculation for your cat\u2019s age is the same no matter what breed of cat you have.<\/p>\n

A cat's age is influenced by factors like genetics, breed, and overall health. Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions that can affect their lifespan. Moreover, your cat's environment and lifestyle can also impact their age. Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care can help ensure your fur baby lives a long, healthy life.<\/p>\n

Guessing Your Cat's Age<\/h3>\n

Guessing your cat's age can be helpful in understanding their needs and providing appropriate care. While it's not always possible to pin down a cat's age precisely, there are several methods that can help you make an educated guess.<\/p>\n

Like dogs, cats age rapidly during their first two years of life. A cat reaches the approximate human age of 15 during its first year, then 24 at age two. Each year after, it ages approximately four \"cat years\" for every calendar year. This means that a five-year-old feline would be approximately 36 in cat years. Although there is no concrete scientific way to measure the conversion from cat years to human years, these criteria are generally agreed upon by most cat experts.<\/p>\n

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world\u2019s oldest cat was Cr\u00e8me Puff, who lived to be 38 years old! That\u2019s the equivalent of 168 years old in human years!<\/p>\n

It's worth pointing out that cats who live outdoors age far more quickly, perhaps even twice as fast as an indoor cat. Typically, indoor cats may live 12 to 18 years, with many surviving into their 20s. Outdoor cats face a greater threat<\/a> of accidents, are more susceptible to illness, and are lucky to live 10 years. Indoor cats stay protected from these threats and typically receive more consistent veterinary care, helping them stay healthier and live longer.<\/p>\n

How to Tell a Cat's Age by Examining the Teeth<\/h3>\n
\"Calculating

Calculating a cat\u2019s age can be done by checking its teeth.<\/p><\/div>\n

What if you don\u2019t know how old your cat is? How can you tell? Calculating a cat\u2019s age can be done fairly reliably by checking its teeth. Kittens will have their permanent set of pearly whites by four months old<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From there, it\u2019s a little more of a guessing game. Some cats have worse teeth than others, due to genetics, poor diet, or lack of veterinary care. But for the most part, a young cat under three years old will have just a few yellow stains on its mostly-white teeth. If you're seeing tartar on all or most of the teeth<\/a>, it may be a little bit older, around five years. And if you see heavy yellow or brown staining or even a few missing teeth, you\u2019re probably looking at a senior cat. If you\u2019re not sure, your veterinarian can help you calculate your cat\u2019s age.<\/p>\n

Age-Related Changes in Cats<\/h3>\n