We all know cats have much shorter lifespans than us, and we can see how far along their lives are by using cat years. But what are cat years, how do they work, and what else do you need to know about your cats’ lifespan? Let’s explore the commonly misunderstood topic of cat years compared to human years and what this measurement means for your pet.
What Are Cat Years?
What exactly are cat years? Cat years are a measurement we use to better understand a cat’s age compared to our lifespan. For example, if a Ragdoll cat is 12, this doesn’t sound very old. However, if we say that a cat is around 64 years old in human years, we know what that age looks like and what often accompanies it.
Converting cat years illustrates how old a cat is in a way that we’re more used to, which is especially helpful if this is your first cat and you haven’t been a cat owner throughout your lifetime.
How Are Cat Years to Human Years Calculated?
Cat years to human years are more complicated than you might assume. Fortunately, it’s easy to break the conversion down on a year-by-year basis. Here’s a cat age chart and the equivalent human years.
- One-Year-Old Cat: 7 years old
- Two-Year-Old Cat: 15 years old
- Three-Year-Old Cat: 28 years old
- Four-Year-Old Cat: 32 years old
- Five-Year-Old Cat: 36 years old
- Six-Year-Old Cat: 40 years old
- Seven-Year-Old Cat: 44 years old
- Eight-Year-Old Cat: 48 years old
- Nine-Year-Old Cat: 52 years old
- Ten-Year-Old Cat: 56 years old
- Eleven-Year-Old Cat: 60 years old
- Twelve-Year-Old Cat: 64 years old
- Thirteen-Year-Old Cat: 68 years old
- Fourteen-Year-Old Cat: 72 years old
- Fifteen-Year-Old Cat: 76 years old
- Sixteen-Year-Old Cat: 80 years old
- Seventeen-Year-Old Cat: 84 years old
- Eighteen-Year-Old Cat: 88 years old
The first few years of a cat’s life seem to fly by compared to a human’s lifespan, but things start to level out once a cat reaches three years old. After this age, each subsequent year adds four more human years to each cat year.
Do Cat Years Differ Across Breeds?
Are you a dog lover? It might seem odd to mention here, but those who own dogs, know someone who owns dogs, or even work with dogs know that the aging process can vary significantly across breeds. Larger dogs tend to live shorter lives than smaller dogs and get older and deal with issues much faster. Additionally, certain dog breeds may have an inherent risk for diseases or specific traits that shorten their lives.
Does the aging process work similarly with cats? Will some cat breeds live longer than others? The consensus is that cats tend to age similarly across the board. Whether you have a Ragdoll cat or a Siamese cat, the lifespan of a Ragdoll cat may not be much different when raising all breeds of cats in the proper conditions. It’s also interesting to note that size doesn’t matter too much either, with large cats aging at the same rate as smaller ones.
That said, there are always exceptions to the rule. Cats that tend to live in conditions where there are greater stressors, either mentally or physically, may age faster than their happy and unstressed counterparts.
Beyond age, most owners are also concerned about lifespan. Expected lifespans vary more greatly across different breeds due to the qualities of each breed. But broadly, it’s believed that mixed cat breeds could live longer than their purebred counterparts. Why? Purebred cats tend to be more susceptible to developing hereditary diseases, whereas mixed cat breeds have enough genetic diversity to prevent them from inheriting such diseases.
What Can You Expect With Each Milestone?
As we age, we may face particular physical challenges and health issues that we need to plan for. It’s important to note that as cats age, they will develop specific behaviors and face a greater risk of certain health issues that you’ll need to be aware of. What behaviors or concerns should you expect with each major milestone in your cat’s life? Here’s a brief overview to get a better idea of what the aging process looks like.
- One to Two Years Old: A cat in this age range is still a young cat that’s gradually maturing, often called a kitten or junior cat. They’re likely very playful, interested in exploring, and evolving into the cat they’ll become. Litter box training is especially important at this time. Consider looking for special options like litter boxes for high-spraying cats if you have litter box issues early on.
- Three to Six Years Old: Cats ranging from three to six years old are in their prime ages and are seen as adults. They’ll have the personality they’ll display for the rest of their lives and might be calmer than when they were younger. Cat care at this stage includes taking the time to play with them, seeing them exercise regularly, and taking them to the vet for checkups to catch any issues promptly.
- Seven to Ten Years Old: Mature cats are right around the middle-age range for us, which means they might start to slow down and be at greater risk for health issues, dental issues, and beyond. Making sure they’re moving around and paying careful attention to their diet and health risk factors can help ensure they age more easily.
- Eleven to Fourteen Years Old: Senior cats start to slow down dramatically at this age. Continue following the tips above and making sure that they’re comfortable. They may have accessibility issues, so see if you can find ways to help them get into places so they’re not harming themselves.
- Fifteen and Above: Once a cat reaches its geriatric stage, it really starts to slow down and is at greater risk of developing issues. Give geriatric cats as much love and support as possible, and consider when it may be time to say goodbye.
How Can You Make Sure You’re Properly Caring for Your Cat?
The aging process is natural, but how you care for your cat can affect how long they live. Knowing how to care for your cat before adopting one can help you enjoy their love and company for years. Here are some tips to help you care for your cat as best as possible.
- Cat nutrition is paramount in helping your cat live as long as possible. Make sure that you’re giving them food that’s nutritious and filling. Many new cat owners will start a diet off with dry kibble that does more harm than good. Consider what they might need and buy cat food (or even fresh food and make your own) that aligns with these health needs. The same goes for hydration, which they need plenty of.
- Give your cat plenty of places to go to the bathroom, and always keep it clean. A clean litter box keeps you and your cat happy, ensures they don’t go looking for other places to do their business, and may even alert you to health problems ahead of time if you spot something that’s not quite normal.
- Some cats are known for having independent personalities, but that doesn’t mean you should leave them alone. Make sure to prioritize play so that you keep their mind sharp and keep them active.
- Give your cats what they need to feel comfortable and safe. Like humans, cats can deal with stress and other mental health issues. Taking care of their mental well-being is as important as their physical health.
- Regularly brushing your cat is a good way to groom them. While cats can groom themselves and may rarely need a bath, grooming keeps their coat healthy and prevents them from shedding too much or coughing up hairballs. Some cats will not be able to groom as well when they get older, so it’s important to groom them more as they age.
- Go to the veterinarian regularly and immediately if there are any concerning health issues. Much like you must visit the doctor regularly, your pet does too!
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats Lives
You should carefully consider choosing between an indoor cat and an outdoor cat. Both have advantages and disadvantages that may impact your pet’s life.
The average life expectancy of indoor cats is 10 to 15 years old (although it’s not difficult to find older cats, for which 20 seems to be the average maximum).
Outdoor cats are subject to various dangerous environmental hazards that tend to reduce their lifespans. Stressed cats, those with more wear and tear on their bodies, and those that face predators or difficult diets can live substantially fewer years than indoor cats, who are typically better cared for.
Male vs. Female Cats Lives
Women tend to live longer than men, but does this apply to cats? This is surprisingly true for our cats as well. A female cat has a longer average lifespan than a male cat, although it’s only a couple of years.
This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.
Author: Jenny Dean
Jenny Dean, the cat enthusiast writer behind Floppycats.com, is well-known for her cat product reviews. Since 2008, she’s shared insightful tips on cat care, behavior, and health to help people live harmoniously with their feline companions. Jenny also authored A Ragdoll Kitten Care Guide: Bringing Your Ragdoll Kitten Home. Jenny lives in Kansas City with her two Ragdoll cats, Charlie and Trigg.