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How Many Cat Years Are in a Human Year? A Guide to Converting Your Cat’s Age

There is an old legend that says that seven human years is the equivalent of one dog or cat year. The truth is, the conversion from cat years to human years is far more complex! So how many cat years are in a human year? And is it a one-size-fits-all formula? 

In this article, we’re going to look at how many cat years are in a human year while also highlighting some of the features you can look out for when trying to work out your cat’s age. 

How Many Cat Years Are in a Human Year?

So, how many cat years are in a human year? Well, the seven to one idea isn’t quite right. In fact, a one-year-old cat is far more mature than a seven-year-old child. And, cats don’t live as long as humans so this seven to one formula is simply incorrect. 

There is, in fact, no fully reliable formula that can easily convert cat age in human years. Generally speaking, it’s thought that the first two years of a cat’s life is equal to the first 25 years of a human’s.

Once they reach the ripe old age of two, it’s thought that cat age to human age is approximately four to one. Of course, your cat’s physical appearance and behaviour will be about far more than it’s age. That’s right, your cat’s maturity and health will depend largely on their upbringing, environment, and how stressful their life has been

How to Tell How Old your Cat Is

The best way to know your cat’s age is to take them to the vet, but you can also give them a quick check-up yourself to get an idea. Here are some tips: 

Look at Their Teeth

You can learn a lot about your cat’s age based on their teeth. Here are some milestones to look out for:

  • At 2 to 4 months, your kitten’s first teeth will appear
  • At 4 months, your cat’s adult teeth will come through
  • Between the ages of 2 and 4 years, your cat’s teeth will show a little tartar
  • From the age of 3 to 5 years, most of your cat’s teeth will have a slight yellow stain
  • From the age of 10 to 15 years, your cat may lose some teeth

Feel Your Cat’s Fur

As your cat ages, their fur will change. Typically, kittens and younger cats have softer fur. As they age, their fur will become coarser and thicker. You may also notice some gray patches, just like in humans!

Check Your Cat’s Iris

Last but not least, your cat’s eyes could tell you a lot about their age. Young cats typically have a smooth iris while a senior ones could be slightly cloudy or crackled. Older cats also often have discharge coming from their eyes. 

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