How cat years work – Calculate cat years to human years

How old is your cat in human years? Do you even know? You might be surprised to learn that calculating cat years to human years isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll break down how cat years work and also give you some fun facts about cats along the way.

So whether you’re a new cat owner or just curious about these furry creatures, read on!

How do cat years work?

Calculating cat years to human years isn’t as straightforward as you might think, because the size of the animal changes the formula.

The bigger an animal is, the longer it typically lives. So while a giant dog could live for 10 human years, a tiny hamster will only live for 2!

You could check how to calculate dog years

However, big dogs and small cats both have the same number of heartbeats in a year, so size isn’t taken into account when determining a cat’s age.

Here are some examples to help you understand the cat years formula:

Calculating Cat Years
Cat Years	Human Years
1 Year	15 Years
2 Years	24 Years
3 Years	28 – 32 Years
4 Years	40 Years
7 Years	84 Years
8 Years	96 Years
9 Years	108 Years

How to figure out your cat’s age?

You may use a variety of methods to determine the age of your cat.

Below are some broad rules, but these features will differ among cats based on their health, previous treatment, and circumstances.

Consult a veterinarian for the finest recommendations.

Cat’s teeth

Veterinary professionals can estimate a cat’s age by examining its teeth.

As cats get older, the gum tissue and bones recede, leaving space for more teeth to fit into the mouth. Owners will also start to see yellowing and gaps between teeth as the feline ages.

Cat eyes

Like with humans, an older cat may develop dark circles underneath its eyes. However, not all owners notice this feature in a cat’s eye until it gets older.

Cat tails

It is normal for a cat to lose their hair around the tail base as they age. This may be caused by hereditary factors or benign tumors located along the tail shaft.

In addition, an older cat may have a smaller tail, which may not be proportional to its body.

Cat behavior

An older cats will typically sleep more than they did when they were younger. They may also spend more time lounging around and less time running around like they used to.

Older cats may also start craving different food or lose their appetite altogether.

Do indoor and outdoor cats age the same way?

Outdoor cats can live much longer than indoor cats, which is why the cat years calculation is slightly different for each according to AAHA in their feline life stage guidelines.

Indoor kitties typically live to be 12-15 years old while outdoor kitties typically live to be 15-20 years old.

Why are there so many different formulas?

There are three popular ways to calculate cat years to human years – using the multiplier method, using the breed multiplier, and using the individual animal’s age.

To keep things simple we used just one of these methods in our examples above!

Why is it important?

Knowing how old your cat is in human years can help you ensure they’re healthy and taking proper care of themselves.

For example, if you notice that your cat seems to be showing signs of aging (like sleeping more or struggling to climb onto furniture), it could be time for a visit to the vet!

Summery

The cat years formula is essentially just a rule of thumb. While it may not be precise, the cat years calculation is useful for anyone who wants to guesstimate their cat’s age.

It can also be used to compare two different cats of the same breed that are roughly the same size!