The age of your cat is important because it is a good indicator of the overall health of your cat.
There are many reasons why you should know the age of your cat, but one good reason is that it can help you determine if it’s time for a veterinary appointment.
The difference between humans and cats is that cats age much more quickly than humans.
Cats live for about 15 years on average, while humans can live for about 80 years.
Cats age at a faster rate because they are more susceptible to diseases and their cells regenerate more quickly than human cells.
Cats have six life stages:
Kitten: Age 0-6 Months
During their first six months of life, they grow rapidly, learning and exploring the world around them. In this time period, kittens are still not sexually mature but they have already developed a unique personality that will stay with them throughout their lives. From socializing to proper nutrition, it is important for owners to understand how to care for their kitten during this life stage so that they can ensure a healthy transition into adulthood.
Junior:
Age: 7 months–2 years
At this stage, they reach their full size and learn how to live in the world.
Prime:
Age: 3–6 years
Most cats are mature physically and behaviorally by this age, and are usually still healthy & active, looking sleek and shiny (although they may be slowing down) and making the best of life.
Mature:
Age: 7–10 years
The cat is considered to be ‘mature’, which is equivalent to a human in their mid-forties to mid-fifties.
Senior:
Age: 11–14 years
Cats often start showing signs of aging at this stage in their life, such as developing more white fur.
Super Senior:
Age: 15 years and over
At this stage, your goal is to keep her fit and healthy for as long as possible.
Learn More: Popular Cat Breeds
Cat Age Chart
How do cats age?
There is a popular misconception that cats age seven times faster than humans. This means that one year for a cat is equivalent to seven years for a human.
But according to American Animal Hospital Association, ageing in cats tends to be more rapid during the first two years of their life.
Cats reach the approximate human age of 15 by the time they are one year old, and 24 by the time they are two years old.
Every year after their second birthday, a cat will age approximately four years in human units.
Learn More: Cat names and inspirations for your kitten
Cat Age Table (Cat Years to Human Years)
How old is my cat?
The table below is a chart that shows the approximate age of a cat in human years.
| Cat Age | Age in Human Years |
|---|---|
| 0-1 Month | 0-1 Year |
| 2 Months | 2 Years |
| 3 Months | 4 Years |
| 4 Months | 6 Years |
| 5 Months | 8 Years |
| 6 Months | 10 Years |
| 7 Months | 12 Years |
| 12 Months | 15 Years |
| 18 Months | 21 Years |
| 2 Years | 24 Years |
| 3 Years | 28 Years |
| 4 Years | 32 Years |
| 5 Years | 36 Years |
| 6 Years | 40 Years |
| 7 Years | 44 Years |
| 8 Years | 48 Years |
| 9 Years | 52 Years |
| 10 Years | 56 Years |
| 11 Years | 60 Years |
| 12 Years | 64 Years |
| 13 Years | 68 Years |
| 14 Years | 72 Years |
| 15 Years | 76 Years |
| 16 Years | 80 Years |
| 17 Years | 84 Years |
| 18 Years | 88 Years |
| 19 Years | 92 Years |
| 20 Years | 96 Years |
| 21 Years | 100 Years |
| 22 Years | 104 Years |
| 23 Years | 108 Years |
| 24 Years | 112 Years |
| 25 Years | 116 Years |
Did you know?
- Indoor cats typically live longer than outdoor cats and have a life expectancy of about 10 to 15 years.
- Cats develop at a faster pace than humans do: cat’s first year is similar to the first 15 years of human life.
- Creme Puff was the oldest cat in history, living to the age of 38.
- When kittens are around 3 weeks old, they’ll start to take their first wobbly steps.
- Cats can sexually mature as early as four months of age and can get pregnant. But a female cat should not be allowed to breed before she reaches her adult size.
For more cat facts read: Amazing cat facts
