Nowadays, the lifespan of cats has increased, thanks to advances in quality cat food and medical technology. It's still a pity that cats live less than humans. With bemypet, let’s check out your cat’s age in human years, the average life expectancy of a cat, and tips for increasing it.
Cat Age - The Average Life Expectancy
A cat's life expectancy generally varies by gender, breed, and environment, but is usually around 15 to 20 years.
Indoor-only cats have a longer life expectancy because they are less exposed to viruses, infectious diseases, parasites, and traffic accidents compared to outdoor cats.
How Old Is Your Cat In Human Ages
Cats age faster than humans. One cat year is roughly equal to 15 human years.
No 1. Kitten (Cat Age up to 6 months)
Kittens over one month old begin to drink less milk. You can start to feed kittens dry food from two months of age.
Curious and playful kittens can destroy many things. A six-month-old kitten is about the same as a 10-year-old child.
No 2. Junior (Cat Age 7 months to 2 years)
Except for large breeds such as the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest, cats usually stop growing between one and one and a half years old. It’s recommended to spay or neuter your cat at this age. Junior cats are like adolescents undergoing changes and developments, so they become more demanding.
No 3. Adult (Cat Age 3 to 6 years)
A 3-year-old cat is almost like a 28-year-old human. Your cat at this age is less active than before, so she may easily gain weight. Thus, you should play with a variety of toys frequently, even if she is less playful than before.
No 4. Mature (Cat Age 7 to 10 years)
A 7-year-old cat is like a 44-year-old middle-aged adult. At this age, your cat moves slowly and is less energetic. Also, the risk of health problems increases. Periodontitis and bladder inflammation are common at this age. Please take your cat to get regular medical checkups once or twice a year.
No 5. Senior (Cat Age 11 to 14 years)
When your cat is over 11 years old, she is about 60 years old in human years. During this period, your cat gradually develops aging diseases. There is a high risk of diseases such as kidney failure and heart failure. So, if your cat shows any signs of abnormality, take her to a vet.
In addition, avoid high-calorie foods and feed her senior cat food.
No 6. Super Senior (Cat Age over 15 years)
When your cat is over 15 years old, she is similar to a human in their late seventies. Because the overall function of the body and organs is impaired, she needs extra care. Her immune system gets weaker and she might go blind or deaf.
Spending time with your cat is precious. Don’t leave her alone for long.
9 Tips To Make Your Cat Live Longer
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest cat lived to the age of 38. Recent news suggests that cats may live up to 30 years on average if a new drug for kidney disease is developed. Do your best to leave your cat’s name in the Guinness Book of Records. The below are 9 tips to make your cat live longer.
- Keep your cat indoors and provide a safe environment.
- Keep toilets and cat bowls clean at all times.
- Provide a proper amount of balanced meals.
- Provide plenty of water to prevent urinary disorders.
- Pay close attention to the condition, quantity, and frequency of feces and urine.
- Keep close eyes on her behavior and see a vet if it is abnormal.
- Check her health frequently and thoroughly.
- Help her to maintain an ideal weight.
- Have your cat get medical checkups and vaccinations regularly.