According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Senior Care Guidelines, older cats are classified as mature or middle-aged at 7 to 10 years old, as senior cats at 11 to 14 years old, and geriatric from 15 to 25 years old.
Older cats tend to be less active and playful, they may sleep more, gain or lose weight, and have trouble reaching their favorite places. Don't chalk up health or behavior changes - often gradual - to old age, however.
The Task Force has designated four age-related life stages (Table 1): the kitten stage, from birth up to 1 year; young adult, from 1 year through 6 years; mature adult, from 7 to 10 years; and senior, aged over 10 years. The fifth, end-of-life stage can occur at any age.
Between the ages of 7 and 9, your cat is much like a middle-aged person. He might start to show his age in subtle ways, such as becoming a bit mellower, or you may not notice a change at all. Cognitively, he's as sharp as ever, and physically, he is likely enjoying good health thanks to your great care.
Yes, cats go through a naughty, challenging, teenage phase too! From the age of around 7 months to 2 years of age, cats go through the feline equivalent of our human teenage years.
Understanding the Kitty 'Terrible Two's'
Between the age of 6 months and 2 years, your kitten will be reaching physical and sexual maturity. They will grow out of being a pure bundle of energy but, like human teenagers, they will be learning and exploring more of the world around them.
While younger cats and kittens require close to 20 hours or more a day of sleep, adult cats 3 to 10 years in age average around 13 to 16 hours of sleep a day.
According to PetMD, most cats live 13-17 years, but this isn't set in stone. The length of your pet's life depends on a number of factors, including healthcare, diet, and environment. According to the Blue Cross, domestic cats can live up to 20 years if they are well taken care of.
A much more appropriate method is to take the end of the first year of the cat's life to be equivalent to 15 human years, the end of the second year to be approximately equivalent to a 24-year-old person, and thereafter to consider each year of a cat's life to equate to approximately 4 human years.
Senior cats can develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). CDS is often referred to as cat or feline dementia. Noticing signs of dementia in cats can be harder than in humans unless you know the signs and symptoms. Between ages 7 and 11, cats may start to show cognitive signs of aging.
From 7-10 years of age, your cat begins to lose their drive to play and is less active. This is a normal shift in activity as your cat is comfortable in their environment and routine. As your cat slows down, it is crucial to monitor your pet's eating habits.
Adult cats and senior cats have less caloric intake requirements, averaging about 20 calories per pound of body weight (45 calories/kg of body weight) a day.
As in humans, female cats tend to live for longer than male cats. Neutered cats are also likely to live for longer than intact ones, and pure breed cats are less likely to live as long as crossbreeds.
Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat, Creme Puff lived to be an amazing 38 years old. Outdoor cats generally live shorter lives due to being more likely to be involved in traumas such as motor vehicle accidents or dog attacks.
Statistics show that indoor cats lead longer, healthier lives than outdoor cats. Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live on average 2-5 years.
At home, they're usually sleeping, playing, cuddling, eating, or sleeping some more.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
Lying next to you, but not on you, doesn't mean your cat is not bonded to you. In fact, sleeping next to you means your cat trusts you enough to be in a vulnerable position while sleeping. Some cats are not comfortable sleeping on their cat parent because they prefer the security of a small buffer zone.
With modern medicine advancing, cats are living longer. Once they age, many people describe cats' personalities as irritable, moody or just plain grumpy.
Adult cats need about 30 minutes of exercise
Adult cats aren't as energetic as kittens, but they still need their daily dose of exercise. When combined with a nutritious diet, daily physical activity can help your adult cat maintain a healthy weight and lower their risk of chronic illnesses.
Wet food is more expensive and less easy to use but can be beneficial in cats prone to lower urinary tract disease, constipation and that are overweight. Dry food can be a very efficient way to provide calories in thin cats with food volume limitations and allows for the use of food puzzles and food toy dispensers.
Some cats can live on dry food only. But most of the time they are overweight and/or chronically dehydrated. Overweight cats are at high risk for health issues, and they also live shorter lives.
Signs Of Obvious Distress
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.