Many cat owners wonder how old their cats would be if they were humans. However, there is a popular belief that equates the years of a cat with those of a human by multiplying them by seven, just as is often done with dogs. Although this rule is well known, it is not accurate, mainly because cats and dogs age at different rates. So today we will explain how you can calculate your cat's age in a more realistic and accurate way.
Is it true that one cat year is equivalent to seven human years?
The short answer is: no. Contrary to popular belief, Cats don't age seven years for every human year.Using this simplistic rule can lead to misunderstandings about your cat's specific needs and care. For example, a 2-year-old cat would be considered a 14-year-old teenager, when in reality, a 2-year-old cat has already reached the physical maturity that would correspond to a 24-year-old human.
The development of cats, especially during the first years of life, is extremely fast compared to that of humans. Thus, Their life stages are not linear with those of humans, which makes it necessary to use more precise formulas.
The correct equivalence to calculate the age of a cat
According to experts, a 1 year old cat It is comparable to a teenager of 15 years in terms of growth and development. When the cat reaches the age of 2 years, his age would be similar to that of a young adult 24 years oldFrom this point on, it is estimated that each additional year that the cat turns is equivalent to about 4 human yearsThis more precise formula allows us to have a better idea of the stage of life our feline is in.
Using this rule, a cat that has 6 years It would be like a person of around 40 yearsAnd in the case of older cats, aging becomes more evident compared to young cats.
Stages of cat development in human years
The life cycle of a cat is divided into several phases that have been precisely observed by veterinarians and expert studies on feline animals. Below, we detail each one. stage of a cat's development and its equivalence in human years:
- Kitten (0-6 months): This is the cat's childhood stage, with impressive growth. A six-month-old kitten would have a maturity similar to that of a 18-month-old child. 10 years.
- Juvenile (6 months – 2 years): The cat goes through adolescence between six months and two years. During this time, a one-year-old cat would be equivalent to about 15 human years. For the two years, we can estimate that his age corresponds to that of a human of 24 years.
- Young adult (2-6 years): The cat enters the stage of its adult life. A four-year-old cat, for example, would be like a human of about 32 yearsDuring this phase, it is an energetic and strong feline.
- Mature (6-10 years): At this stage of maturity, the cat has already passed the best of its youth, something like a human who reaches the age of 40 yearsHis needs will change, but he remains an active and healthy cat.
Here is a visual rule that will allow you to easily calculate your cat's age in human years. This chart will be useful if you want to know how many human years your cat has quickly. If the chart does not cover your cat's age, you can continue calculating it manually by applying the rule of adding four human years for each additional year of cat age.
How do cats age based on their lifestyle?
One aspect that we must not forget when calculating the age of cats is that Not all cats age at the same rate. Cats that live primarily outdoors typically have a shorter life expectancy due to environmental hazards, while indoor cats typically live longer. Indoor cats generally live between 14 and 16 years, equivalent to about 72-80 human years, while some cats can live up to 20 years (96 human years on average).
A cat's life expectancy depends on several factors, such as their genetics, their environment, and the quality of care they receive. Additionally, breeds such as the Siamese or Ragdoll are known to live longer than other breeds, which should be taken into account when calculating your cat's age in human years.
Caring for older cats
As your cat ages, you'll need to make some adjustments to his care. Older cats, usually over 10 years old, require more veterinary care., including more frequent check-ups, especially to detect possible dental problems or common diseases in elderly catsOther aspects to consider are proper nutrition and physical activity that can keep your health in better condition for longer.
In older cats, mobility problems and fatigue often appear, so providing them with Comfortable spaces to rest will be key. You will also need to watch for symptoms of possible chronic diseases such as arthritis and kidney failure, which are more common as the cat ages.
For older cat, the equivalent of an older human 70 years, It is crucial to maintain a proper diet and take care of your oral health.As cats age, it is common for them to lose some teeth or for their gums to weaken, making it necessary to adjust their diet to softer foods.
Additionally, it is essential that you take your cat to regular veterinary visits to monitor its health and prevent diseases associated with old age.
Now that you know how to calculate your cat's age more accurately, you can use this information to ensure that your cat is in optimal condition and improve its quality of life at all stages. Remember that, depending on its age, your cat may need specific care and special attention.