How To Tell A Cat’s Age: 5 Easy Methods Used By Vets

by John Griffith Jan 23, 2023 @ 09:18

If you have recently adopted or rescued a cat, then you may be wondering how old they are. When the history of a cat is a mystery to the shelter, rescue organization or you, then it can be hard to determine exactly how old your feline friend is. This is because once a cat reaches adulthood, pinpointing their birthday becomes increasingly hard. And it is quite important to know your cat’s age or at least have a general idea of its age. Different aged cats have different nutritional requirements, different types of needs for exercise and toys, different care requirements and may have hidden health problems. On the bright side, there are some indicators that can help you and your vet make an educated guess on your four-legged friend’s age. Here is how to tell a cat’s age, according to vets.

It can be hard to determine exactly how old your feline friend is

It is important to know your cat’s age or at least have a general idea of its age

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How To Tell A Cat’s Age
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How To Tell A Cat’s Age

Sadly, there is no sure way to pinpoint your cat’s exact age after they have hit adulthood, but there are some general signs that can help you give an educated guess and a general idea. In general, there are six life stages of a cat: kitten (0-6 months), junior (7 months – 2 years), prime (3 – 6 years), mature (7 – 10 years), senior (11 – 14 years), and super senior (15+ years). You can use a chart for reference and compare your cat to what you see. But there are more accurate methods. Here are some you can try.

There is no sure way to pinpoint your cat’s exact age after they have hit adulthood

#Teeth

According to vets, it is more difficult to determine a cat’s age by their teeth once they are adults, but it’s not entirely impossible. Wear and tear, as well as tartar build up can help give the specialist a better clue of what age your cat may be. If there is just a little bit of tartar then the cat may be around one or two years. The more tartar the older the cat probable is. However, like with people, some cats may have worse teeth than others and their diet also plays a role.

It is more difficult to determine a cat’s age by their teeth once they are adults

#Eye Appearance

Healthy cats in their early adult years (and kittens) have eyes that are clear and bright. Around the ages of 6 or 7 a cat’s eye lenses start to become denser. And cats that are older in age may start to develop a cloudy appearance in their eyes, and tearing or/and discharge may occur. However, this doesn’t happen until a cat is around nine years old.

Healthy cats in their early adult years have eyes that are clear and bright

#Softeness of Coat

A kitten’s fur is nice and soft, as if baby-fine. However, as cats age, their coat will start to thicken and coarsen. And when a cat develops senior status, their fur may start to develop patches of white or gray. While a cat’s coat isn’t a guarantee of age, it can help give an overview of a possible age group. However, a cat’s coat can change in softness based on their diet, lifestyle, grooming, and shampoo.

As cats age, their coat will start to thicken and coarsen

#Grooming Habits

Cats can be quite meticulous when it comes to their grooming. It is one of their favorite activities. And the younger the cat the more likely they will try to keep their coats looking as pristine as possible. And once a cat reach a certain age, they might not be as thorough when it comes to their grooming as they once were. In general, older cats groom themselves less often or not at all. So, cats with matted fur are more likely to be seniors.

Cats can be quite meticulous when it comes to their grooming

#Activity Levels

The general rule is that the older the cat is, the more sedentary it will be. Senior cats and kittens need a lot of sleep, around twenty hours per day. Adult cats on the other hand need around twelve to fifteen hours. However, this can vary as it also depends on your cat’s personality and breed. Track your cat’s sleeping cycle to get a general idea of what age it may be.

The older the cat is, the more sedentary it will be

These were the most reliable ways on how to tell a cat’s age, according to vets. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can have a general idea of your furry friend’s age and can act accordingly.

These were the most reliable ways on how to tell a cat’s age

Sources:

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.