Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Tell Your Cat’s Age in Human Years (With Chart)

toyger kittens

Nearly 43 million American households 1 have at least one cat. It’s easy to see why they are so popular. Felines are more independent than dogs, making them less work, especially for working families. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t require attention.

Age is a critical factor in many of the health decisions you’ll make. Comparing your pet’s age to human years puts it into a better perspective. However, it’s not a simple formula. Instead, it’s a dynamic quality that changes throughout your cat’s lifetime.divider 3 paws

Cat Age Chart in Human Years

You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to Catster.com for credit

Age becomes relevant even before you bring your pet home. One of the first decisions you’ll make is when that happens. It can mean the difference between a cat that handles the transition well to one that is nervous with behavioral issues. The next milestone is the time that you spay or neuter your pet. That can differ with the varying development of cat breeds.

Another critical decision involves your pet’s diet. Kittens and adult cats don’t have the same nutritional needs. For example, a younger pet must get more protein, calcium, and other nutrients to support its development. Likewise, a senior pet has differing requirements, too. All animals—including people—slow down as they age. That means dietary changes.

Not a One-Size-Fits-All Formula

Often pet owners believe the adage that one year of their cat or dog’s life equals seven in them. Unfortunately, that’s too simplistic. A cat becomes sexually mature around 6 months, depending on the breed. By that formula, a kitten is 3.5 years, which shoots holes into that 7-year theory. Instead, you’ll find it’s quite variable.

For one thing, it’s essential to consider your cat’s age in months when it’s under 1 year old. Then, figures also vary, depending on the animal’s life stage. Diet and health can play a role, too. Bear in mind that a feline’s lifespan isn’t necessarily the same as humans, either.

divider 3 paws

Do Indoor and Outdoor Cats Age at the Same Rate?

Indoor and outdoor cats may age the same physically, but that only scratches the surface. The first factor is lifespan. You can expect a pet kept indoors to live up to 15 years or more. A cat that lives outside live up to 5 years—if it can dodge the dangers of cars, predators, and disease.

Diet also becomes a part of the aging issues, especially for cats that fend for themselves by hunting. That adds a host of potential risks, including poisoning, internal or external parasites, and conflicts with the conservation of vulnerable species. The fact remains that cats adapt well to indoor life without any problem.

American shorthair and Scottish fold cat sitting on wooden box
Image by: Cat Box, Shutterstock

Signs of Aging in Senior Cats

A cat enters the senior life stage at about 11 years old. A pet may develop chronic health conditions at this time, such as arthritis and dental disease. These two issues, in particular, can cause other complications that can affect a cat’s lifespan.

A feline typically starts to slow down as she ages. She may lose muscle mass that can make getting around more difficult. She may develop arthritis. These conditions mean that you should feed your cat less and switch to a senior diet to prevent obesity. That can directly impact her quality of life and longevity.

Dental disease can bring on another set of equally disconcerting problems. If it hurts your cat to eat, she may go off of her food. That can, in turn, cause weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. An inadequate diet also puts your pet at risk for parasites and disease.

Other signs of aging include:
  • Hearing loss
  • Cataracts and vision loss
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease

The risk of these conditions increases with age. Therefore, regular veterinary care is imperative for your cat’s health.

divider 1 paws

Which Cat Breeds Live Longest?

Interestingly, the research shows that mixed or crossbred cats are more long-lived than their purebred counterparts. A review of the oldest felines according to the Guinness Book of World Records supports these findings. You might wonder, why is that true?

Perhaps the critical factor is breeding. If cats are inbred, there is a greater risk that the offspring will inherit an unwanted trait, such as deafness. If both related parents have a gene that codes for a disease, the chances are higher that the kittens will get the bad copy from both of them. On the other hand, mixed-breed cats that aren’t related will likely have healthier young.

A cat that is 15 years old has lived a long life. The fact remains that some animals can even live into their 30s with proper care and diet.

divider 2 cats

Conclusion: How Old Is My Cat

Understanding how your cat ages can go a long way to ensuring a good quality of life. It’ll help you choose an appropriate diet and provide the best care, no matter what her life stage. The essential thing to remember is that your pet isn’t a little human. She has her unique physiology that determines her lifespan. Knowing what to expect as your pet ages is vital for her health.


Featured Image Credit: Kutikova Ekaterina, Shuterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

7 Ways to Keep Cats Out of House Plants

Is there a way to keep your kitty out of your plants? Of course, you could give away your plants, so you don’t...

Ask Dr. Paola – Fleas, Loyalty & Excessive Licking (June 16, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

How Big Do Maine Coons Get? Average Size Chart & Care Tips

One of the most magnificent domestic cats is the Maine Coon, primarily because of their stunning large bodies and fluffy coat. These cats...

How Do Cat Microchips Work? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Microchips are undoubtedly incredibly useful for our pets. They’re tiny but contain information about our animals in order to identify them and make...

More related

Cat Hoarding: How It Starts

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga. Several of my friends and...

10 Free DIY PVC Cat Furniture Ideas You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Cat furniture is an essential part of owning a cat, but it is certainly not cheap, especially if you have multiple cats. Cats...

How Far Can Cats Hear? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Domestic cats are amazing creatures. They can jump five times their height, tap into the earth’s electromagnetic field to navigate, see minute movements...

Can a Bobcat Breed With a Domesticated Cat? Vet-Verified Facts

While they may be hard to catch a glimpse of in the wild thanks to their elusive nature, Bobcats can be found all...

Keep reading

Can Cats Eat Soup? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Soup is a great meal to have for lunch or dinner. It is filling and comforting to eat on chilly days, and there are so many ways to prepare it. It really can be the perfect meal. However, you may...

Can Cats Eat soup

Can Cats Eat Lettuce? Vet-Verified Benefits & Precautions

Cats may be true carnivores, but their curious nature attracts them to all types of human food, including greens. Lettuce is a popular green that may be enticing for cats, but can cats eat lettuce? Is it healthy for them?...

Can Cats Eat Lettuce

Can Cats Eat Fish Sticks? Vet-Approved Nutritional Science & Info

Curiosity is a concept almost universally associated with cats, and unfortunately, cats tend to lead the charge with their mouths! Most cats are not shy about trying new foods. Fortunately, if you find your cat’s face first in your plate...

Can Cats Eat Fish Sticks

Can Cats Eat Sushi? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide

Sushi is a popular food for many people, and since cats are supposed to like fish, it’s not uncommon to wonder if sushi is safe to give your cat. The short answer is no. Your cat should not be offered...

Can Cats Eat Sushi

How Long Will Cats Hide If They’re Scared: Vet-Reviewed Causes, Tips & FAQ

Cats can be very fearful creatures, and when they feel threatened or scared, their natural instinct is to hide. In fact, you may have even brought a new cat home for the first time only for it to run and...

British shorthair cat hiding

Can Cats Eat Flies? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Health Guidelines

If you’ve ever seen a cat pounce on a fly and eat it, you may be wondering if this is safe or potentially harmful for your furry friend. So can cats eat flies? Thankfully, flies aren’t toxic or poisonous, and...

Cat hunting a fly

How to Show Dominance to a Cat: 10 Tips for Becoming More Assertive

How many times have you walked into someone’s home only to quickly realize the cat is the one running the show? If you’re a cat owner struggling with a dominant cat or just trying to ensure that doesn’t happen to...

man playing cat outdoor

How to Stop Your Cat From Climbing the Curtains: 11 Vet-Reviewed Ways

Cats can get up to all kinds of mischief around our homes—not out of spite but because they’re trying to release pent-up energy, explore something new and interesting, or simply enjoy themselves. For example, the curtains might be your pride...