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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
This article has been viewed 44,021 times.
Unless you were present when the cat was born, determining a cat’s age can be very difficult. However, you can estimate a cat’s age by identifying certain characteristics. As the cat grows older, the age of the cat will be reflected in the teeth, coat and behavior. While your veterinarian can give you the closest answer, you can still observe the signs yourself to determine a cat’s age.
Steps
Check your cat’s teeth
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Count your cat’s teeth. As cats age, their teeth will also go through different stages of development. When the cat is comfortably relaxed, check the cat’s teeth to determine its age.
- The first teeth to erupt in kittens are the incisors (about 2-4 weeks) and canines (about 3-4 weeks), followed by the molars (about 4-6 weeks).
- Cats younger than four months old may not yet have molars.
- Between 6 months and a year of age, cats may have already had enough teeth. At this point, the cat’s teeth are still white and show no signs of damage.
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Observe the yellow color on the cat’s teeth. As cats age, their teeth will also show signs of age. A set of yellow teeth indicates that your cat is an old cat. The degree of damage and yellowing of the teeth will show how old your cat is. [1] X Research Source
- You may notice a slight yellowing in your cat’s teeth by the time the cat is about two years old.
- When the cat is 3 to 5 years old, the cat’s teeth will become even more yellow.
- Between the ages of 5 and 10, the yellow color will become more pronounced.
- When the cat is 10 years old or more, the cat’s teeth will be visibly yellow, and most of the teeth will be yellow.
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Check your cat’s teeth for signs of wear and tear. Another sign of age shown by the teeth is the degree of wear and tear. Look carefully at your cat’s teeth for wear and tear, which will help you determine the age of the cat.
- Worn teeth are when they are no longer sharp, looking more blunt than the teeth of younger cats.
- Some teeth may be worn or broken.
- Usually, cats will show signs of tooth wear by the time they are 5 years old.
- If your cat is between the ages of 5-10, their teeth will be noticeably worn.
- Over the age of 10, the set of teeth will be severely damaged. At this age, some teeth may fall out.
- The older the cat, the more likely it is to have more tartar and gum recession. However, this is a vague indication as the cleanliness of the teeth depends on the cat’s diet.
Check hair and body
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Check the thickness of the coat. Depending on the age of the cat, its coat can be thick or thin. Usually cats won’t go bald or lose all of their hair, but by looking at the thickness of their coat, you can narrow down their age. [2] X Research Source
- Older cats may have thinner coats.
- Weather can also affect the coat. Cat fur in the summer will be thinner than in the winter.
- If your cat is shedding a lot, take her to the vet.
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Feel the smoothness of the cat’s fur. Cat fur will have a slightly different smoothness depending on age. By paying attention to those differences, you can get an estimate of the cat’s age.
- Small or newly grown cats will have a smooth and thick coat. [3] X Research Sources
- Older cats will often have a lintier coat.
- Older cats may also have gray patches of fur.
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Notice the body of the cat. As cats get older, activity levels change. Such changes can lead to a change in the cat’s physical appearance. Observing a cat’s body shape can tell you its age. [4] X Research Sources
- Young cats are usually slender and muscular due to frequent activity.
- Middle-aged cats may be rounder and stout.
- Older cats may have exposed shoulder blades and flabby skin.
Observe the cat’s behavior
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Pay attention to the cat’s mood. Older cats often have limited vision and hearing, as well as frequent pain from arthritis. These conditions can affect your cat’s mood. If you see your cat exhibiting the following behaviors, it could be evidence that the cat is sick or old, or both: [5] X Research Source
- The cat becomes overly aggressive when you come into contact with it.
- Older cats may also be more fearful and insecure.
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Observe how your cat uses the litter box. If your cat has trouble using the litter box, it could indicate a variety of problems. Specifically, older cats may have difficulty using the litter box due to health problems or impaired ability to cope with stress. [6] X Research Sources[7] X Research Sources
- Certain health problems can make it difficult for an older cat to use a litter box, such as impaired vision, ulcerative colitis, and kidney or liver diseases.
- Stress can also cause older cats to stop using the litter box. Create an environment that is as quiet as possible for your cat.
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Observe your cat’s sleep cycle. For most cats, the older they get, the more they will sleep. You should monitor when your cat goes to sleep, noting changes as the cat ages. [8] X Research Sources
- Older cats can stay up all night and sleep all day. Older cats can also meow throughout the night.
- As cats age, their activity levels decrease and sleep time increases. Younger cats are usually active, playing throughout the day, while older cats will just love to rest.
Look at the cat’s eyes to determine the age
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See if the cat’s eyes are cloudy. As the cat ages, the cat’s eyes often change from a clear and bright state to an opaque and translucent state. By testing the opacity of the eyes, you can guess the age of the cat more accurately. [9] X Research Source
- A bright and clear eye will indicate that the cat is relatively young.
- Older cats may have blurred vision due to age or cataracts.
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Check the iris. The iris is the colored part that surrounds the pupil. By examining the iris, you will be able to estimate the age of the cat. Look for signs of an irregular or tearing iris. [10] X Research Source
- Young cats have clean and even irises.
- As the cat ages, the iris will become smaller, marks will appear along with irregular pigment spots.
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Observe for eye rust or tears. To check your cat’s age and health, you can check the tear glands in your cat’s eyes. Over time, age, illness, or injury, a cat’s eyes can water a lot. Watery eyes, like other injuries and illnesses, are common in older cats, so you can determine their age. [11] X Research Source
- Young cats usually don’t have watery eyes or a lot of eye discharge.
- Older cats often have watery eyes and obvious rust.
- Watery eyes can also be a sign of illness or injury, so take your cat to the vet.
Advice
- If you are unsure of your cat’s age, the best method of determining it is to have it checked by your veterinarian.
- Most signs of old age can also be signs of illness. Always schedule an appointment if you suspect your pet is sick.
- If your cat is seriously ill and is in a lot of pain, don’t put her through the pain just to keep her around.
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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Then, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian in a clinic for over a decade.
This article has been viewed 44,021 times.
Unless you were present when the cat was born, determining a cat’s age can be very difficult. However, you can estimate a cat’s age by identifying certain characteristics. As the cat grows older, the age of the cat will be reflected in the teeth, coat and behavior. While your veterinarian can give you the closest answer, you can still observe the signs yourself to determine a cat’s age.
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