Many pet lovers come to see a pet as one of their children. But what if we told you there’s a chance your furry friend could be older than you?
Believe it or not, a cat’s first year is equivalent to 15 human years. So, when your kitten celebrates its first birthday, it’s roughly old enough to get its driver’s permit if it were human.
In their second year, cats age another nine human years, making them about 24 years old on their second birthday. After that, each year adds about four human years.
For example, if you got your furry friend 10 years ago, they would be approximately 56 human years old. If your cat is older than 21, add four years for each additional year to find their current age.
The average lifespan of a cat is 13 to 17 human years, with 20 years being considered quite old. A cat’s lifespan can vary due to factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, preventive care, breed, and genetics.
Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor cats because they are protected from harsh weather, parasites, predators, and traffic.
The speed with which pets age underscores the importance of routine healthcare and senior wellness exams.
Cat years [Internet]. Purina.co.uk. [cited 2024 Jul 10]. Available from: https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/senior/care/cats-age-in-human-years Lovejoy J. How long do cats live? Here’s what to expect [Internet]. Petmd.com. PetMD; 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 10]. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/how-long-do-cats-live
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