How to Determine the Age of Your Cat

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Learn how a cat's teeth, eyes, and more are clues to their age
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It can be tough to tell how old a cat is unless you were there when it was born. Luckily, you can make an educated guess by examining their physical characteristics, including their teeth, eyes, and coat. Just keep in mind that the best way to determine your cat’s age is by having a trusted veterinarian perform an exam.

Things You Should Know

  • Kittens start to get teeth around 2 to 4 weeks old and have all their adult teeth by 6 months. Young cats have sharp, white teeth and older cats' teeth are dull and yellow.
  • Older cats (ages 9+) might have clouded eyes with tearing or discharge, while younger cats tend to have clear, bright eyes.
  • Kittens have tighter skin and toned muscles, while middle-aged cats have a more round body shape. Seniors may have saggy skin and defined shoulder bones.
Section 1 of 8:

Teeth

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  1. Cats typically start to get their deciduous (baby) teeth at around 2 to 4 weeks old and have all their adult teeth by about 6 months old. [1] When your cat is relaxed and comfortable, gently lift your cat’s lips and look at their teeth to get an idea of how old they are.
    • Kittens get their incisors (a row of tiny teeth at the bottom front) at around 2 to 4 weeks, their canines (the 4 large front teeth) at around 3 to 4 weeks, and their premolars (the teeth at the side of their mouths) at around 4 to 6 weeks. [2]
    • Cats typically don’t get their molars (their very back teeth) until around 4 months old.
  2. Staining or tartar can also be used to estimate your cat’s age. If you see slight yellowing along your cat’s teeth behind their cheek, your cat might be 1 to 2 years old. The more tartar you see along their teeth, the older your cat probably is. [3]
    • Some cats have worse teeth than others depending on their genetics and their diet. Consider your cat's teeth along with other factors for the most accurate way to determine their age.
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  3. As cats age, their teeth tend to get duller and more worn down. Worn-down teeth appear duller, with points that have dulled or worn down. Generally, a cat will begin to show signs of tooth wear when they’re about 5 years old. [4]
    • When cats are 5 to 10 years old, their teeth show increased wear and their gums might appear a different a different color than the rest of their mouth. [5]
    • When cats are 10 years or older, their teeth are worn, show heavy tartar build-up, and some of their teeth might even be missing.
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Section 2 of 8:

Eyes

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  1. Healthy kittens and early adult cats have clear, bright eyes with no tears or discharge. Cats that are 9 years or older may have cloudy bluish eyes. [6] They may have tears or discharge in their eyes and the iris (the colored part of the eye) might not close and open as much as it did when the cat was younger.
    • Older cats’ irises might also have a wavy edge. Usually, a veterinarian has to examine their eyes to look for this change.
    • Runny eyes can also be a sign of illness or injury—check with your veterinarian right away if you think your cat might have a health problem.
Section 3 of 8:

Sexual Maturity

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  1. Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered might give you clues about their age based on their sexual maturity. Male cats typically reach sexual maturity at around 6 months, while female cats typically have their first heat (estrus cycle) between 5 and 9 months. [7]
    • When a male cat reaches sexual maturity, he might territorially spray urine and his testicles might be more prominent just below his anus.
    • When a female cat is in heat, she might be unusually affectionate, excessively groom herself, look for unneutered males, and/or vocalize loudly for several days. [8]
    • The length of the daylight and the cat’s weight might change the timing of the cat’s first estrus cycle.
    • Vets tend to spay or neuter cats at an early age because it’s likely to spare them from dangerous health problems later on in life. [9]
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Section 4 of 8:

Coat Development

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  1. Kitten fur tends to be short, fine, and soft. Between 6 and 12 months old, your cat’s coat thickens and coarsens. Your cat’s fur might also become darker or lighter in color. While looking at a cat’s fur doesn’t guarantee their age, it can help you estimate how old they are.
    • You might see patches of gray hair on senior cats like humans get at older ages.
    • Unfortunately, you can’t tell how old a cat is by its whiskers. Whiskers don’t grow at a faster or slower pace as the cat ages, and they usually stay the same length for a cat’s entire life. [10]
Section 5 of 8:

Grooming Habits

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  1. Cats are generally incredibly diligent about keeping their coats clean. However, when they reach over 10 years old, they might not be as thorough with their grooming as they were when they were kittens. If your cat has hair matting or skin odor, they may be older than 10 years old. [11]
    • There are many reasons why older cats might lose the ability to groom themselves well, including dental pain, arthritis, or weight gain.
    • A sudden lack of grooming can also be a sign that your cat has a health problem—take them to the vet if they stop cleaning themselves. [12]
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Section 6 of 8:

Activity & Mood

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  1. Older cats might suffer from arthritis or have less energy because of age, which can make them lie around more and play with toys less than younger cats. [13] Older cats might also be more aggressive, anxious, or fearful with age.
    • Low energy and sudden weight loss or gain can also be signs of disease or dental problems. [14] If you think your cat might be sick, take them to a veterinarian right away.
Section 7 of 8:

Weight & Body Shape

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  1. While younger cats tend to have tighter skin and toned muscles, middle-aged cats may be rounder and more filled out. Older cats might have extra sagging skin and more defined shoulder bones. Up until kittens are about 5 months old, they tend to gain about a pound for every month they age. [15]
    • For example, a 3-pound kitten is most likely 3 months old.
    • Estimating the age of a kitten by its weight might be more difficult if the cat has been underfed or is unhealthy.
    • Older cats often become unable to process proteins as easily as younger cats, which can make them lose weight and appear more bony.
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Section 8 of 8:

Veterinarian Visit

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  1. A veterinarian will do a physical exam on your cat and be able to give you an age range. [16] Additionally, they can look for any health issues. Adult and older cats eventually experience changes in their anatomy and physiology. For example, some diseases like an overactive thyroid are more common in older cats than younger cats. [17]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How old is a 16-year-old cat in human years?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A 16 year old cat is equivalent to an 80 year old individual in human years.
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  • Question
    What is the human equivalent of a 25-year-old cat, and how can I prove this is my cat's age?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A 25-year-old cat is so old that it's off the scale, but you're looking at the equivalent of well over 110 - 125 years for a person. To prove its age, look and see if you have an original vaccination certificate that has its kitten injections on it. Alternatively, look through the family photo album to see if there are kitten pictures that can be dated back.
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      Tips

      • Some signs of old age can also be signs of illness. Schedule an appointment with your vet if you suspect your cat has any health issues, such as if they experience fur loss.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Pay attention to your pet's daily habits and routine. Contact your vet if you notice significant changes in your pet's schedule. Cats have extremely high pain tolerances, so a chance in their routine may indicate they're not feeling well.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/dental-development-of-cats
      2. ↑ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/dental-development-of-cats
      3. ↑ https://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-vision-problems-host-possible-causes
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158189/
      8. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/pregnancy-and-kitten-care/cat-reproduction
      9. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/spaying-and-neutering
      1. ↑ https://pets.thenest.com/cats-whiskers-longer-older-8643.html
      2. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/special-needs-senior-cat
      3. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/loving-care-older-cats
      4. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/loving-care-older-cats
      5. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/loving-care-older-cats
      6. ↑ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/telling-kittens-age-four-steps
      7. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/6-tips-determining-your-cats-age
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7337209/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      It can be hard to know how old your cat is, but you may be able to tell its age by its teeth. If your cat is less than 6 months to a year, it may not yet have all of its teeth, which consist of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Between 2-5 years of age, the cat’s teeth will start to yellow, and between the ages of 5-10, the yellowing will be easily visible and the teeth will start showing signs of wear. If your cat is over 10 years old, all of its teeth will likely show signs of yellowing, and they may be worn significantly. If that doesn’t help, you may be able to tell the cat’s age by examining its fur, body, and eyes. To learn tips from our veterinary reviewer on how your cat’s eyes can help you tell its age, read on!

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