How Old is my Cat?

This is a broad question depending on your definition of the "average cat." With optimal health and good genes, a well-nourished, well-exercised indoor-only cat will probably live longer than many indoor-outdoor cats. The latter will live a lot longer than strays and ferals. There are exceptions to every rule. Shannon, pictured here, lived to 19 years, despite having free access outdoors all his life.

Question:How, exactly, is a cat's approximate age determined? We took in a stray cat that we'd been feeding for several weeks, and we are curious how old he is. I know that something about cats' teeth is a clue, but I don't know what to look for, exactly. What are the guidelines for telling your cat's age?

Answer: Because I am not a veterinarian, I can only respond in broad, general terms. While teeth are sometimes a good indicator, they are not foolproof. For that reason, veterinarians prefer to examine the whole cat. Here are a few of the feline organs veterinarians check to determine the age of a cat. . . .read the rest of my response

You will be able to understand your cat's development more easily if you have a general idea of his age in human years. This method and the accompanying age chart will point the way for you.

Keep in mind that variable factors, such as heredity, diet, environment, and physical and medical care may affect your cat's comparative age to that of a human. Although you probably don't have any control over heredity, you do have options for controlling the other factors which control your cat's aging process.

Billy, my "middle cat," pictured here, was about 24 in human years when this photo was taken.

Use this chart to easily determine your cat's approximate age in human years.