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A cat’s age is often thought to be easy to work out: one dog year equals seven human years – although this popular rule of thumb has its pitfalls and is now considered outdated. But how do you determine a cat’s age and convert it into human years? How long do cats actually live? And at what age are they classed as seniors?
A cat’s life expectancy depends on many factors. For example, its living environment, care and illnesses all play a key role in how old a cat becomes. The right cat nutrition and regular visits to the vet are the basic requirements for a long and happy cat life. A cat-safe home and regular activity (for example with cat agility) also have a significant impact on a cat’s age.
On average, cats nowadays live to around 15 years, although outdoor cats tend to have shorter lifespans. This is because cats that roam freely are more likely to suffer injuries or catch diseases.
Is a 17-Year-Old Cat Old?
A 17-year-old cat roughly corresponds to 84 human years. However, our feline friends are already considered seniors from the age of eleven. From this point on, the first changes in their coat become noticeable. Older cats also tend to become calmer and sleep more.
Senior cats also develop specific needs. For example, older felines require special senior food that is easy to chew and tailored to their lower energy requirements.
Converting Correctly: How Much Is One Cat Year?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many human years a cat year equals. This is because a cat’s development does not progress linearly compared to humans. In the first two years, cats develop remarkably quickly. By the time they reach their second birthday, they are around 24 in human years.
Approximate Guidelines
From this point on, the cat is fully grown and the ageing curve becomes somewhat more linear. Each additional cat year now corresponds to around four to five human years. So a senior cat aged eleven is roughly equivalent to a 61-year-old person.
Of course, these are only approximate guidelines intended to help you better estimate a cat’s age. Some cats still seem youthful in their senior years, while younger cats can sometimes appear rather sluggish.
As cats grow older, they often become calmer and sleep more.
Table: How Old is My Cat?
Below you’ll find a table that shows the equivalent human age for each stage of a cat’s life.
Cat’s age
Human age
1 month
6 months
2 to 3 months
2 to 5 years
4 months
6 to 8 years
6 months
10 years
7 months
12 years
12 months
15 to 16 years
18 months
20 to 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
61 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
Cat Age: What Influence Does Breed Have?
Among the cat breeds, there are some that are considered particularly robust and long-lived, such as the European Shorthair or the Siamese. They often reach 20 years of age or more. Others, such as the controversial hybrid cat – Bengal and the breed often classified as extreme breeding, hairless cat, Sphynx, tend to have a significantly shorter average lifespan. This was the finding of a study conducted by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London in collaboration with the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.
How Old Was the Oldest Cat in the World?
The world record for the oldest cat ever to have lived is held by a house cat named Creme Puff. This feline was born on 3 August 1967 and died on 6 August 2005, reaching an incredible 38 years and 3 days of age.
Important Note: The content provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, please always consult a licensed veterinarian.
"A life without a pug is possible, but pointless," Loriot once said. I would unreservedly agree and add: "A life without horse, cat and rabbit as well!" My heart beats for all animals big and small and I have the great fortune to be able to write about my passion as a freelance author. With my articles I would like to raise awareness for animal welfare and give useful tips to animal lovers.
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