How To Tell Your Cat’s Age in Human Years With New Chart
How To Tell Your Cats Age in Human Years With A New Chart. The newly revised age comparison chart is a timely and welcome resource thanks to International Cat Care
They are based in the U.K. and offer a global perspective to cat care. Their approach is aligned with our philosophy at Cat Wisdom 101 and their archive of resources is invaluable.
You may also try this cat age calculator to find your cat’s age quickly and easily. Just enter your cat’s age, and it will instantly give the human equivalent. After using the calculator, you’ll appreciate the chart as a broader visual guide.
As the age span of cats has increased, with many cats living well into their 20s, a revised chart was needed. As my old cat Merlin aged, I never knew if he was 90 something or a hundred in human years. As new behavior research continues we have a deeper understanding of feline behavior and the new chart reflects it.
There are three new life stages. JUNIOR, PRIME and MATURE.
- Kittenhood expands into junior. Until recently kittens were considered adults at age one but that isn’t accurate. Many breeds don’t reach maturity physically or behaviorally until age two or three.
- Instead of labeling cats as adults, they are labeled true adults in their prime from ages three to six. It makes sense to those of us with young cats. Keeping cats in their prime active and mentally stimulated is essential, which is why providing a curated cat subscription box filled with premium toys and healthy treats can make their best years even better. It makes sense to those of us with young cats. Our Odin is shifting gears at age six to what feels more mature.
- The biggest new shift is removing the SENIOR label currently about age 7 to mature and pushing off SENIOR to age 11. This will be an excellent boost for adopting older shelter cats.
- GERIATRIC which is currently from about age 12 is pushed to age 15 and that will be welcome news with those with older cats. Again, a positive reframing of older shelter cats to more adoptable.
- All cats regardless of age, need to a veterinarian annually. For mature cats who are middle-aged in human years may need for frequent vet visits.
The chart ends at age 25 and in human years at an astounding 116. Perhaps in time, it could be stretched another year or two and the age equivalents tinkered with from age 20 on. As it stands, I feel it’s a huge improvement over any other chart available.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about the Cat’s Age in Human Years Chart. Are your cats younger or older than you thought?
38 Comments
audrey david
This discussion of cats and why some live so long is fascinating, especially as my cat Maizy was adopted with her sister when they were about 6 months old from the pound. Maizy has always been hyper, unfriendly to everyone else but me and the exact opposite of her sister, Mia, who was the sweetest, friendliest cat I ever had. When she passed away at 15 I was shocked and heartbroken as was Maizy, who even now wanders into the closet that Mia loved hiding in. I expected a longer lifespan for Mia because of her sweet welcoming behavior to everyone who visit, and she never had anything wrong with her, until she did. The problem now is my inability to take Maizy to the vet….I dont drive anymore, and she is like a wild cat, refusing to get into any container. During my last attempt she immediately used the container for a litter box, and since I was going in someone else’s car, that was the end of that excursion. Now she has a mysterious outbreak on her chin and part of her back. I have tried to find a visiting vet, but have failed to ascertain their legitimacy, especially when I got wild demands of very high costs and little to assure me they are legitimate. So, long post to ask if you know a reliable vet that makes visits in the White Plains, NY area??? Or any other s uggestions.
Also, I am taking care of my 98 year old mother in law, who is bedbound, so leaving the house is difficult on any day.
Sorry this is so long. By the way, I think one of the reasons she is so healthy apart from the chin thing is because I brush her after she eats….religiously. She loves it and runs around trying to get me to the window ledge where she likes to jump up and look outside. It stops her throwing up, for one, and since I got a water fountain she drinks a more t han adequate amount of water.
Thanks for all the amazing information you churn out. You are a treasure to cat lovers everywhere.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Audrey, I would suggest getting a mobile vet. There are a number of new ones in Westchester and of course, the original one with the mobile clinic, Dr. Goldstein. My Otto had something similar on his chin and it was easily treated
Karen Beste
my cat is 11 yrs old and sleeps 18 to 20 hrs a day. seems like so much, what do I do?
Layla Morgan Wilde
If your cat is suddenly sleeping more, it could’ve a medical issue or boredom. I would suggest a vet visit if you have not had one in the past year.
Gail Davis
I have a 17 y/o calico female cat. What should I do special for her to keep her happy and healthy? She sleeps on my bed or next to me on her bed. She cries sometimes usually when I’m trying to sleep. She does want my constant attention. When she is awake. I’m 75 y/o so we are close to the same age by cat years. I love her so much. We also have a 7 y/o solid black female cat, Spooky. She is a character. And has cost me more than all the cats I have owned in my whole life. She has a chronic kidney disease and is on special food to decrease the harm to the kidneys. Callie doesn’t like spooky. So we keep them separate with Callie in my room and spooky in the living room. Except when spooky sneaks into my room. Then I have to make sure they don’t fight usually started by Callie I think spooky wants to be her friend. Oh well Callie’s an old girl and deserves to live out her life in her way. As I do. Thanks for listening. Gail
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Pipo/Minko/MrJackFreckles
As with people, are we not as old as we feel or act?? MOL!
Pipo and Minko are both 12, and they can really be kittens sometimes, and be as silly as when they were.
Dog-guy is going to be 15 in about 6 weeks, and he goes on all cylinders when his batteries are turned on. But he does take longer naps…
Interesting new chart!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Agreed, we do not have to act our age 🙂
Annie Anderson
I didn’t know cats are that old while they still look and act like kitties. I have 2 of them, 12 and 36 year old. How interesting to know my baby is older than me.
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s a great way to have a perspective about aging as you both get older and the need for regular medical/vet wellness visits.
Susan
What I’d like to see addressed on this chart is something I’ve seen on other cat aging charts: the difference in aging between indoor and outdoor cats. This chart seems to reflect the aging we find in healthy, indoor cats but I believe (from other research I’ve seen) that outdoor cats tend to have shorter lifespans and age a bit more quickly. Is it possible to make this a two-column chart that shows comparative aging? I certainly don’t want to get in the way of having shelter cats adopted or labeled “older” than they really are, but I think it’s important for people to realize that the hazards of an outdoor life can shorten a cat’s lifespan somewhat. Just a thought!
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s an interesting idea. The chart does not take into account how healthy a cat is. The age span of outdoor cats has greatly increased and that includes feral cats. All cats are living longer.
Tamago
Just recently, I was checking age chart to see human age for my boys and came across this one! Both my boys and I are in the same category 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde
excellent! Purrs to the boys xoxox
Jennifer
My cat that I have now is the second cat I’ve had that’s lived past 20. My previous cat lived to 21 and the cat I have now is 21 and and doesn’t really show any signs of slowing down. She still gets little bursts of energy like she’s a kitten again. They were both stricktly indoor kitties which I think has a lot to do with it. But I can contest that kitties are definitely living longer than I ever imagined they would. When I comes time to adopt again, I’m gladly goin to adopt a couple older cats
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s good to know about your cat’s longevity and that you’re open to adopting older cats. It’s what we usually do and we love older cats.
easyweimaraner
that’s interesting… I think the dog-chart needs a makeover too… if I would be a kitty I would be 10 years old now…but I still act like a toddler (said the mama)
Layla Morgan Wilde
I wonder if there is a new dog version?
The Island Cats
Looks like we’re all mature and senior kitties.
Layla Morgan Wilde
sounds good to me 🙂
ellen
Whats odd, is most female cats can have kittens at 6 months… kinda odd to think they are only 10 years old in our years. Thats kinda of sad :/
Layla Morgan Wilde
It’s very young but not unusual in certain cultures for girls to get married at that age.
Nellie
Hmmm, mes going to 19 this spring and mes still pretty feisty for a old cat. Mes thinks us cats don’t show our age much until wes is reaching the end and that seems to vary from cat to cat. Mommy’s before cat Kitty lived to 23 and she was spry until the last year. Mes is like the energizer bunny and just keeps going and going…
Kisses
Nellie
Layla Morgan Wilde
Nellie, you’re an inspiration to cats everywhere xoxoxo
The Swiss Cats
Great information ! We enjoyed watching the video, it’s very interesting to see the training step-by-step. Purrs
Layla Morgan Wilde
Glad you enjoyed it!xo
Debby Hanoka
Debby: Thank you for posting this chart! I had no idea Lilith, at age sixteen years, was so old in human years.
Lilith: Mrrrp? I may be an old lady cat, but I feel like a kitten!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Glad to help. When we think of age in human term, it’s all the more reason to bring our pets to vet more frequently.
Layla Morgan Wilde
that’s great news. Keep observing for any changes. You know cats love to hide symptoms.
Connie Marie
Sometimes age doesn’t matter, Sunday I opened my backdoor to a grey cat with huge green eyes, I was in love, he talked to me as to say, what took you so long! I brought him in and put him in my spare bedroom, he was in perfect condition, I figured he was maybe 6 or 7. The next morning, my neighbor lady came asking if I saw a grey cat, since I have cats, she thought I would know where he was! Turns out Smokey is 12!! It was a heartwarming family reunion.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Great story and a happy ending. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cathy Keisha
Humans aren’t considered senior until 65 so maybe they should redefine that so cats aren’t senior until 65. I’m 12 and still kittenish is many ways. I’ve lost a step but am more mature than senior. Also, 64? Seriously? Still this chart is an improvement on the last one.
Layla Morgan Wilde
CK, interesting point but what about other countries? In the U.K. seniors are 65 for men and 60 for women.
Ellen Pilch
Phoebe isn’t going to like being called geriatric when she turns 15 in July.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Ha, but she’s been one according to our U.S. system for three years. Sending purrs to dear Phoebe.
Summer
My human agrees with pushing off the geriatric and senior parts of the chart, judging from her experiences with Binga and Boodie. They are just now coming into the geriatric stage in her assessment.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Aw, they are getting up there xo