How old is my cat?

Cats usually live longer than most dogs and it is no longer unusual for them to live 20 years or more. How long an individual cat will live depends on many factors such as genetics, lifestyle (weight, access to the outdoors, diet) and, of course, the appropriate veterinary care he or she receives.

The rule of thumb is that at about age 7, a cat is considered to be middle-aged. At age 10 and above, a cat is considered to be a senior cat.

       CAT'S AGE                        HUMAN AGE EQUIVALENT   

        6 months.......................................... 10 years

        8 months ......................................... 13 years

       10 months ........................................ 14 years

       1 year  ...............................................16 years

       18 months ........................................ 19 years

        2 years  ........................................... 21 years

        3 years ............................................ 25 years

        4 years ............................................ 29 years

        5 years ............................................ 33 years

        6 years ............................................ 37 years

        7 years ............................................ 41 years

        8 years ............................................ 45 years    

        9 years ............................................ 49 years

        10 years .......................................... 53 years

        11 years .......................................... 57 years

        12 years .......................................... 61 years

        13 years .......................................... 65 years

        14 years .......................................... 69 years

        15 years .......................................... 73 years

        16 years .......................................... 77 years

        17 years .......................................... 81 years

        18 years .......................................... 85 years    

        19 years .......................................... 89 years

        20 years .......................................... 93 years

This chart is just a guide because, as with humans, all cats are different! Many changes can take place in what for us, is a fairly short period of time. This is why annual wellness exams (and for cats 10 and older, twice-yearly senior wellness exams) are VERY important.

For a senior cat, in addition to a wellness exam, we also recommend a blood pressure check and annual bloodwork that can detect health problems which are not readily detected in other ways. With regular lab work, many diseases can be caught early on and appropriate steps taken to ensure continued well-being and a longer life for your cat.

The Cornell Feline Health Center has some great information about the special needs of Senior Cats.