Mary Allen
When is a cat actually an old cat? As with humans, cats are as old as they feel. Nevertheless, one can say that velvet paws can theoretically be called seniors after a certain age. This is also noticeable in the fur nose over the years.
With increasing age, both the physical condition and the needs of cats change. Getting older always means change. A 15-year-old kitty, for example, will certainly not chase around the apartment as nimbly and quickly as a one-year-old kitten. But what about cat age in concrete terms?
Old Cat: That Makes It a Senior
Basically, it can be said that cats quickly grow into adult cats, but need a relatively long time to be “old” in the end. Compared to human years, a 2-year-old cat can already be equated with a 24-year-old human. The double year number, i.e. four cat years, for example, is on the same level as a 32-year-old human. At the age of six, a cat is about 40 human years old.
Some representatives of the cat food industry speak of seniors as early as 8-year-old cats. This would mean that 48-year-old people would also be seniors. At this point, most 48-year-olds would probably protest. It would certainly make more sense to speak of seniors from a cat age in the two-digit range. A 12-year-old cat is about 64 human years old.
Life Expectancy of Cats
Incidentally, the average life expectancy of a house cat is around 15 years, depending on the breed, condition, care. Individual cases can be younger or much older, around 20 or even 26 years old, which would then be the same as a person over 100 years old.
Old Cat Often Has Different Needs
As mentioned above, a cat’s needs change as it ages. For example, many elderly velvet paws sleep and cuddle more than young cats, making them more comfortable and affectionate. As with humans, typical “aging fads” such as absent-mindedness or stubbornness can creep in. Certain preferences, such as cat food, often change or eating habits in general. Older cats usually have different energy needs than young cats, who play, run and romp all day long. For example, they usually need fewer calories, but more high-quality protein and vitamins.
Talk to your veterinarian about the needs of older cats and preferably also about which diseases can creep in with age. These include age-related ailments such as arthrosis, joint problems, restricted kidney or other organ functions, and other complaints. Older cats can also develop dementia.