How to find out the age of a cat at home

One solution to the question "how to determine the age of a cat at home" is to assess the condition of the coat of the pet. However, this method is quite subjective and depends on the breed and the surrounding climate.

🐱How to determine the age of a kitten or adult cat if you picked up an animal on the street

Usually cat owners know how old their pets are. But what to do for those who found a cat on the street, how to know the age of the animal?

Let's start with newborn kittens. They have no teeth, their eyes are closed, and their ears are flattened, as if stuck to the head. They crawl badly.

Teeth . Lower teeth erupt at 14-18 days, canines at 21-28, and chewing teeth at 4-6 weeks.

Eyes . If the eyes are fully open, then the baby is 4 weeks old. At 2 months, the iris color changes from blue to yellow or green by breed, or remains blue.

Ability to move . . From 12-15 days old, the kitten crawls on half-bent limbs. He will confidently go only by 3-4 weeks, and run – with 5 weeks.

Weight . You can also find out the age of the pet by its weight, taking into account the average figures:

-newborns – 75-145 g;
-1 week – 245-285 g;
-2 weeks – 300-370 g;
-3 weeks 390-410 g;
-1 month 400-900 g;
-2 months 1000-1700 g;
-3 months 1700-2200 g;
-4 months 2,300-2600 g; -5 months 2,650-3,200 g; -4 months 2,300-2,600 g;
-5 months 2650-3200 g
-6-12 months 3250-4100 grams.

To monitor his development and calculate the ration of food, share of medicine or weight of luggage on the plane, when the weight of the pet and the carrier does not exceed 8 kg.

To find out the age of an adult cat or cat

2-3 years old – slight yellowing of enamel, scuff marks on lower incisors;

3 to 5 years old – upper incisors show wear and tear, canines begin to wear down, teeth are yellowish;

5-10 years – significant abrasion of all incisors, some incisors have fallen out, there are cracks of enamel and tartar;

Moustache . From age 8, cats' whiskers turn gray and droop downward. Vibrissae that have fallen out grow slowly.

Condition of the coat and skeleton . Cats up to 5 years of age have a clear and even color and shiny fur. By 6-7 years of age the coat becomes dull, the pattern becomes blurred and gray appears.

Muscles Cats up to 5 years of age are plump, the skeleton is flexible, while in older cats the muscles sag, the spine sags, and the shoulder blades bulge.

Often older cats are thin, losing muscle mass. Their movements are erratic, their jumps imprecise.

Today there are many balanced foods, toys to keep the cat toned; veterinary medicine has come a long way.

Determining Age by Teeth

The condition of the teeth is one of the most reliable signs of an animal's age. In order to find out how old a cat is, pay attention to the periods of replacement and loss of teeth, the condition of enamel, the presence of plaque and calculus, and the degree of wear on the incisors.

Despite the fact that the method is considered reliable, it is not always possible to determine the exact age of the pet, because other factors such as nutrition, internal diseases, individual developmental characteristics, oral care, etc. may also influence the condition of the teeth throughout life. Knowing these signs will help you more accurately guess your pet's age category.

Below is a chart that you can use to compare the condition of the teeth and the approximate age of the cat.

You can find out the approximate age of an animal by paying attention to its eyes. In young animals, the eyes are normally clear, the mucous membrane is moist, the vitreous substance is even, transparent, without blotches, and the iris is evenly colored. With age (from 7-8 years), the lens becomes cloudy, the vitreous may delaminate, and stripes and spots appear on the pale iris. However, clouding of the lens can indicate ophthalmic diseases, to which young animals are also prone.

You can also tell the age of a kitten by the ears. Kittens are born with their ears pressed against their head, which are fully flattened by the end of the third week, and by 3-4 months of age they become longer and permanently shaped.

Determining age by hair

In young kittens, the hair looks like down, and the color is masked by a slight "haze." At the age of 5 months, the first molt begins, during which the structure of the coat changes visually and tactilely – the hairs become stiffer, denser. The color appears brighter, increasing contrast. The first molt, the longest one, ends at 8-12 months of age, at which age the coat is fully formed.

In adult cats from one to seven years of age, the coat is also smooth and soft, with a clearly visible pattern. Over time, pets' hair begins to turn gray, and cats over eight years of age may find it more difficult to care for their own hair, which can lead to tangles and skin problems.

This way of determining age is subjective and depends on the breed and health of the pet.

A pet's size and weight can vary greatly depending on breed, sex, number of littermates, housing conditions (which include feeding and exercise), spaying, internal diseases and individual body characteristics.

For each breed, there are tables indicating the cat's height at withers and weight at each age. Below is a table with average values reflecting weight gain of medium-sized cats (Russian Blue, Abyssinian, Siamese, American Shorthair and others).

At an early age, cats are usually active, exploring their surroundings, enjoying play and contact with people and other animals.

Many adult animals also enjoy playing and hunting, but they spend much more time sleeping. At this age, the pet's temperament shows itself, so behavior depends a lot on the nature of the cat. Some pets remain as inquisitive as kittens, some, on the contrary, try to seclude themselves and spend time in a quiet environment.

How to determine the age of an adult cat

The age of an adult is more difficult to determine, because at this point in life the animal does not go through many stages of aging like a human. Let's look at methods of determination based on the condition of the teeth, body, and behavior.

Teeth

An adult cat should normally have 30 teeth. A one-year-old animal is considered young.

At two years of age, the body begins to change: a yellow tint appears on the teeth, and the lower incisors gradually wear off. The upper incisors and canines are erased by the age of three or five, and the yellowing is more pronounced. The dark yellow color and loss of teeth indicates a pet's venerable age – he is probably five to ten years old.

Lack of multiple teeth and severe abrasion are indicative of old age.

Body

Young individuals have agile bodies. When you pick up a pet, you immediately feel its muscle density, strong torso, and low percentage of fat. Old age is indicated by decreased activity. The body becomes less dense and excess weight may appear.

The coat of a young individual is bright, shiny and without spats. Older years bring with them abundant molting, graying, and a reduction in the amount of hair. But these indicators are not always accurate: a young cat can lose a lot of hair in a fight, and a cat deprived of good nutrition will definitely not be the owner of a gorgeous coat.

An interesting fact: as a cat ages, the lens of the eye becomes cloudier and the eyes lose their former attractiveness, brightness and luster.

Behavior

Playfulness of cats is often associated with their youth. Kittens actively explore the world and eagerly participate in games. Over time, this interest fades and the animal becomes less mobile and more apathetic. But this trait is not the rule. Some breeds, such as the Bengal cat, remain playful throughout their lives. I have an adult cat living at home (she is 8 years old) and she still happily plays with balls of yarn.

Conclusion

Friends, I hope my article was helpful to you. If you are planning a trip to the vet, don't forget to ask how he determines the age of your cat.

I recommend watching the veterinary clinic video, where experts give tips on how to figure out how old your pet is:

I would welcome comments on my article, especially if you know of other workable ways to determine a cat's age.

By weight

Be sure to pay attention to your pet's weight! Your pet's daily routine changes over the years, which is why body weight varies for cats of different ages.

Kittens move around a lot, their skeleton is not yet fully formed and sturdy, and the fat layer is barely deposited. This is why babies and young pets weigh quite little.

Important: Watch your pet's diet. A poor diet or lack of exercise can lead to unhealthy weight gain!

Adult, and even more so older, pets are already reluctant to agree to the conquest of the heights of the closet or the exciting climbing of expensive curtains. They tend not to play as much and prefer to take more naps. A sedentary lifestyle leads to an increase in body weight.

By behavior

It is possible to determine the age of a pet by its behavior. This method is rather subjective and depends on the character of the animal, but there are still common features in the habits of the animal.

Baby kittens spend almost all their free time playing and communicating with each other and people. They are even willing to bravely sacrifice minutes of sleep for fun! Some babies even very persistently demand attention to themselves.

Important: Do not treat the behavior of your pet strictly. Animals also have different types of personality, so some cats are sociable, while others are shy.

Mature pets will gladly spend time hunting, playing. However, they tend to be very fond of sleeping.

Kittens at an advanced age do not like unnecessary fuss, preferring noisy games to a quiet rest. Pets can often be found napping peacefully on an armchair or on your bed. As cats age, their hearing often becomes dull and their eyesight begins to deteriorate, which may cause them to become a little jittery or nervous.

How do I tell how old a cat is?

The most accurate method of determining a cat's age is by counting teeth. By the first month of life kittens usually grow 4 teeth, at 1.5 months more canines and premolars are added, at 4 months distant molars begin to erupt. Usually, by six months of age, the cat's teeth change, and by 8 months of age, animals usually have 30 teeth (4 canines, 4 molars, 10 premolars and 12 incisors). But it is important to note that in a young cat, there are no signs of wiping teeth, at one year all teeth should be sharp. If a cat has erased the central incisors of the upper jaw, then it is about 3 to 5 years old. If the incisors of the lower jaw also disappear, it means the cat is from 5 to 10 years old. By about 11 years of age, cats and cats begin to lose their teeth.

And if the cat has been kept in horrible conditions? Worse than an outdoor cat. Rescued a dying cat from the apartment of a grandmother-collector. Read more

Hello! Usually age is determined by teeth, but in adult cats it is quite problematic to do so. By the age of 2 years, cats may begin to wear out their incisors centrally, and by the age of 3 years, tartar may form. At 4.5 years of age the upper and middle incisors may begin to wear down. When determining the age it is worth considering the food, living conditions, various injuries. Read more

How to know the age of a cat if she came into the house as an adult? 5 important criteria to find out the approximate age😺

If a cat comes into the house already quite mature, it can be difficult to determine its age.
The new owners can learn its approximate age by studying certain features in the appearance and behavior of the animal.

Only a veterinarian can give a more accurate answer, but in the absence of one, you can try to do it yourself.

There are several signs that indicate the age of a cat:

✔Milk teeth usually appear in the first 2-4 weeks after birth. There are 26 of them.
At about 3 to 4 months to six months of age, they are replaced by permanent teeth.

✔ Sometimes an adult, emaciated cat can be mistaken for a large teenage kitten. And vice versa. That is why it is always a good idea to look inside the cat's mouth. Teenage and adult cats already have 30 teeth, which vary in size and shape.

✔ Age-related signs also include yellowing of the teeth. Up to the age of 2, a cat's teeth are usually white, but a slight yellowing may occur.

Between the age of 3 and 5 years, the yellowing becomes more noticeable.
By the age of 10, yellowing becomes very easy to notice – it is likely to be on almost all teeth.

✔ Dark spots on the teeth indicate that the animal is probably more than 10 years old.

✔ Also the general condition of the teeth, such as stones, broken fangs, cracks, etc. can indirectly tell about the solid age.

2. Eyes.
✔ As a cat ages, its eyes gradually become duller. The brighter the animal's eyes, the younger it is.

✔ Pigmented spots on the eyelids and iris, lacrimation, mucus formation at the inner corner of the eyes and other secretions are more frequent and more noticeable the older the cat is.

✔ Adults often develop cataracts, so the pupils may be covered with a film.

3. Puberty.
✔ A cat usually reaches maturity at 6 months of age. At this age, he begins to mark his territory and emit a characteristic pungent smell.

How to recognize a kitten's age

Contributor(s): Natalie Punt, DVM. Dr. Natalie Punt is a veterinarian and the founder and executive director of mPet Clinic. She specializes in emergency and general small animal medicine and veterinary economics. She received her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Davis, her master's degree in biochemistry from the University at Buffalo and her graduate degree in veterinary medicine from Western University of Health Sciences.

Number of sources used in this article: 14. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

If you have found or received a kitten as a gift, you should find out her age. Kittens develop faster than humans, and a two-month-old kitten will be very different from a six-week-old kitten. While it is impossible to know the exact age, a rough figure will allow you to properly feed and care for your kitten.

Exterior Examination

• A mother cat usually chews the umbilical cord until it ruptures. This leaves a small tail on the kitten's belly.
• The umbilical cord usually falls off within the first three days of life. If there is still an umbilical cord on the kitten's belly, then the baby is only a few days old.

• Kittens usually open their eyes within two weeks, although some manage to do so as early as day 7-10. If the kitten's eyes are closed, he was recently born. If the eyes are open, the kitten is at least a week old. [2] X Source of information
• If the eyes are just starting to open, but still seem narrow, the kitten is probably 2-3 weeks old. When kittens begin to open their eyes, the eyes are always a bright blue color, no matter what they become afterward.
• If you have an older kitten and you see the eyes starting to change color, the baby is 6-7 weeks old. This is when the iris begins to take on its permanent, adult color. Remember, if your kitten's eyes are supposed to be blue, you won't notice this transition.

• If the ears are flattened against the head, the kitten is probably less than a week old. Kittens are born with closed ear canals, [3] X Source of information causing the ears to press against the head. They will begin to open on day 5-8.
• Wait for the ears to unfold. The ears take longer to open than the eyes. The ear canals will open on days 5 to 8, but the ears themselves will not open immediately. The ears open fully on the second or third week of the kitten's life.

How to tell the age of a cat

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

If you don't know your cat's exact date of birth from the beginning, it can be difficult to determine his age. However, it is possible to establish the approximate age of an animal by certain signs. A cat's age gradually affects its teeth, coat, eyes and behavior. Although your vet will be able to tell you the exact age of your cat, you can also look for certain signs to get an idea of how old your cat might be.

Examine a cat's teeth

• Kittens first develop incisors (at about 2-4 weeks) and canines (at about 3-4 weeks), followed by premolars (at about 4-6 weeks).
• Kittens younger than 4 months will not yet have molars.
• From the age of 6 months up to one year, a cat will have all of its adult teeth. At this stage of development, the cat's teeth are white without any signs of wear.

• At about 2 years of age, a slight yellowing of the teeth may appear.
• Between the ages of 3 and 5 years, the yellowing of the cat's teeth is more noticeable.
• At the age of 5 to 10 years, the yellowing of the teeth is clearly visible.
• At the age of 10 years and older, the yellowing of the teeth is quite severe and gradually appears on all teeth.

• Erased teeth do not have sharp tips and appear duller than those of a young cat.
• Some tooth tips may be completely erased or even broken off.
• Typically, signs of tooth wear in cats appear around the age of 5 years.
• Between the ages of 5 and 10, the teeth show clear signs of wear and tear.
• At the age of 10 years and older, heavy wear and tear on the teeth becomes evident. Some teeth may also be missing at this age.
• The older a cat is, the more likely he is to have tartar and recession (drooping) of the gums. This is not a very accurate way to determine a cat's age, since the rate of tartar formation is greatly influenced by the cat's diet.

How to determine the approximate age of a cat at home

Pets sometimes show up in our lives out of plan. And we don't always take them to the vet right away to determine their age. The doctor's further evaluation will be clearer, but there are ways in which we too can at least roughly understand how old a pet that we have come to see is. There are four such ways.

It is good to consider all the ways at the same time. And you should take into consideration the conditions the cat was in before he came to you. For example, if the kitten is too emaciated, its weight will be less than normal, but its teeth will be an additional factor in determining its age. Or if the cat is stressed and its behavior is difficult to guide, but the condition of its coat and teeth will be indicative.

This option would be suitable for an ordinary kitten found on the street. Pedigreed animals whose size is set by standards and can be quite different from an average sized cat are not considered here.

A one-week-old kitten weighs about 80-100 grams. And at the age of one month – about 0.4 – 0.6 kg. By the age of three months – 1.2-1.6 kg. By six months of age, a medium-sized cat weighs about 1.9 – 2.4 kg, a cat a little smaller. Further weight gain is not so fast. With normal nutrition and absence of diseases at 9 months of age cat weighs about 3 – 3.5 kg, cats – 2.3 – 2.6 kg. To be guided by this figure at a later age makes no sense, the animals begin to mature, under the influence of hormones changes not only behavior, but also the weight of the pet.

To understand the age of the kitten, it is convenient to focus on its size. Up to two weeks old, a kitten can easily fit in the palm of a human hand. In the first month of life, you will notice that his head seems too big. At 3-5 months of age, the kitten is long-legged and thin. By six months of age, the baby is well-proportioned, its paws no longer seem large, and it looks like an adult cat, only in miniature. By 9 months of age, the size of a kitten corresponds to that of an adult animal.