Mary Allen
How old a cat is is usually difficult to determine without knowing the year of birth. Here are six pointers you can use to narrow down your cat’s age.
In the case of found animals or second-hand cats, it is usually not known when the cat was born. Determining the actual age of a cat is very difficult. Even among veterinarians, a misjudgment of up to five years is not uncommon. It is often only when you have lived with your cat for a longer period of time that you find out how old it should be. But some clues can provide a clue as to how old the cat might be.
Note 1: Size and Weight
Especially in the first year of life, you can still estimate the age of the cat by its size and weight. Once the cat is fully grown at around one year old, height and weight are no longer useful in estimating age.
Kittens weigh around 100 grams at birth and, if they are healthy, gain around 500 grams per month. At the age of 12 weeks, a kitten weighs around 1600 grams.
Note 2: Teeth
The teeth can also give an indication of the age of the cat. Cats lost their baby teeth when they were about seven months old. Your adult dentition is now fully developed.
By the time the cat is about five years old, the teeth are usually intact. A lot of tartar and bad gums can be a sign that the cat is older. However, there are also younger cats that already have bad teeth or have even lost teeth.
Note 3: Face
Kittens and young cats still have very round faces. Cats often lose weight as they get older, and the face then appears more pointed. This can be an indication that the cat is already a senior.
Note 4: Eyes
From the age of about seven years, cat eyes often show opacity in the area of the iris. The pupil also seems to be slightly dilated in older cats and the edge of the iris often appears a bit frayed.
Note 5: Fur
In young cats, the fur is usually still thick and short. It gets finer and softer over the years. In seniors, the fur becomes firmer and duller again. It often loses its shine and becomes lighter in some parts of the body. Older cats often have problems grooming themselves as they can no longer clean all parts of their body. Tangles can be the result.
Note 6: Physique
The physique can also give an indication of the age of the cat. Up to the age of one year, the cats often appear a bit lanky. Adult, healthy cats have an athletic build. Males are often a bit more muscular and larger, females are more delicate. Many cats lose weight as they age. The shoulder bones and pelvis are more prominent.