How to Estimate Your Cat's Age: Tips Based on Fur, Teeth, Eyes, and Claws

Estimating the age of a cat can be a mystery, even if you know how long you've had them. Fortunately, there are a few tips we can provide to help you estimate your cat's age based on their fur, teeth, eyes, and claws.

How long do cats live?

On average, indoor cats live for 12-15 years, while outdoor cats have a shorter lifespan of only 2-7 years due to increased risk of disease, injury, predation, and traffic.

A newborn

Kittens are highly dependent on their mother for almost all of their needs until 4-6 weeks of age.

A kitten

Once a kitten starts eating regular food and using a litter box, they enter the kitten stage that lasts until 12 months. During this time, kittens gain weight rapidly, adding around 100 grams per week. A 10-week-old kitten weighs approximately 1100 grams, and a 20-week-old kitten weighs around 2200 grams.

Teeth, eyes, fur, and claws can help determine a cat's age, but other factors such as lifestyle can also influence these characteristics. For example, a stray or neglected cat may appear older due to poor health.

Fur

Young and middle-aged cats should have firm bodies with good musculature and shiny coats. However, cats lose muscle tone around 8-9 years of age. In cats older than ten years, the fur loses its density and can appear messy. Any changes to your cat's fur should be checked by a veterinarian.

Teeth

A cat's teeth can also indicate their age. In the first year of a cat's life, their teeth should be clean and white with no signs of plaque. By the second year, plaque begins forming, and the teeth become yellowish. Plaque can increase from the third to the sixth year, and there may be signs of gingivitis or gum disease, such as bad breath and red gums. Teeth can become more worn out from age six to ten, and pigmentation may appear on the gums. After age ten, teeth may start falling out.

Eyes

Lenticular sclerosis, a bluish transparent haze that develops in the lens of the eye, is common in middle-aged and older cats, typically seven years or older.

Claws and paws

As cats enter middle age, their claws may become drier, softer, and longer. The pads of a kitten are very soft, while adult cats have thicker, drier, and sometimes cracked pads.

While these methods to determine a cat's age are not 100% accurate, they can provide a general estimate. If you're still unsure about your cat's age, consult with a veterinarian.