Ever heard of the phrase “cats have nine lives?”
Cats are considered as a long-living animal, often outliving other types of pets. Despite that, significant factors such as diet, health, and their environment can have a considerable impact on their life span.
Being a valuable member of your family, all owners want their beloved cat to live as long as possible. There’s nothing more dreadful than having to say goodbye to your best feline friend.
We all know that cats age faster than humans, but exactly how long is a cat’s life span compared to humans? In this article, you’ll learn how to convert cat’s years to human years.
Physical indicators of a cat’s age
Many factors can contribute to how long your cat lives. Depending on your type of cat, domestic cats who safely live indoors may live for 12 to 15 years.
Outdoor cats without such security may live up to 6 years as they tend to roam around unsupervised. If you don’t know what are cat years compared to human years, there are a few signs to notice.
Their teeth
One indicator of a cat’s age is its teeth. When cats are first born, they grow a set of teeth at around four months. As a carnivorous creature, their teeth need to be sharp to grind food. So, to check its age, if your cat has a set of permanent teeth, you can assume it to be one year old.
If you can spot yellow stains or tartar build-up, it could indicate that your cat is somewhere between 3 or 5 years. If your cat has any missing teeth, you are dealing with a senior cat.
Muscle tone
Depending on your cat’s breed, most young cats will have more well-defined muscles since they have a higher activity level. As your cat ages, it’ll become thinner and have hanging skin.
Fur coating
Just like humans, a shiny and soft fur indicates a healthy cat. As your cat gets older, the condition of their fur worsens. Younger cats have smooth, silky coats whereas in older cats have thicker and rougher fur.
Eyes
Cats have excellent eyesight, being able to see in the dark so they can hunt. When inspecting your cat’s eyes, look to see the level of brightness and clarity of its eyes. Young cats will have bright and clear eyes with no eye discharge. Older cats will have slight cloudiness in their eyes.
Cats age compared to human years
If you’re wondering how old your cat is, calculating your cat years to human years is a good way to keep your mind at ease.
0 to 6 months
This stage is when your kitten has just started experiencing life, taking time to familiarize themselves with newly introduced things.
With a very high play drive, you can expect your cat to begin learning new traits like scratching and pouncing at objects.
It is also the time where they’ll go through a rapid growth spurt, so expect a significant increase in time. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 0 to 10 years old.
7 months to 2 years
As your cat shifts from being a kitten to a cat, this phase is when your cat will reach its full size and achieve sexual maturity. This stage is crucial because it’s when you start teaching your cat ways to behave.
New aggressive or playful behaviors will start to rise, let this be a time for your feline friend to explore. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 12 to 24 years old.
2 to 6 years
Also, considered a prime life stage, a time where they are young and healthy, it’s essential to take your cat for daily check-ups. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 28 to 40 years old.
7 to 10 years
You might start to notice that your cat is beginning to slow down or put on some weight. It is also the time to start paying closer attention to your cat, making sure it has the right amount of physical activity and food. This cat year converted to human years will be around 44 to 56 years old.
11 to 14 years
At this stage, your cat has reached its senior stage. You may see your cat experiencing behavioral changes. During this time, your cat may need extra stimulation to keep them happy. A good idea would be to take your cat for frequent checkups to keep an eye out for age-related issues. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 60 to 72 years.
15 years plus
Happily snoozing their day away, this is when your cat reaches the geriatric age. When being this old, your cat is susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. If you notice anything abnormal, you should book an appointment with your vet immediately. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 76 to 100+ years.
How to increase your cat’s longevity?
A balanced diet
One way to increase your cat’s life span is by feeding your cat a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Since cats are carnivores, they need a rich meat diet to get the essential protein.
Dental care
Bad oral hygiene can have an impact on your cat’s health. Not only does your cat get bad breath and infections, but the bacteria can also spread to other organs. This results in bodily damage or organ failure.
Regular check-ups
Taking your cat for regular treatment and veterinary check-ups is a must. If your cat has a disease or early health issues, the doctors will be able to detect it when it’s at a treatable stage.
Conclusion
Nothing is more heartbreaking than watching your cat leave you after having it grow up right in front of your eyes.
Cats go through life at a much more accelerated rate compared to humans. Thanks to constant researching and modern technology, new ways are developed to prevent and extend your cat’s life expectancy.
Regardless of how old they are, these mischevious creatures make our world a better place. Always remember to treat your feline friend with care, love, and affection no matter the age.
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