Popular belief has it that one year of a cat's
life is equivalent to 7 human years. In fact,
kittens mature faster than human children and the
rate of ageing slows down to one year equaling
only 4 human years after only 2 years as the
equivalence chart below shows:
Age of Cat
Human Equivalent
Comments
2-3 months
9-12 months
Kittens/humans weaned. Kittens are
becoming less dependent on the mother.
4 months
2-3 years
Talking/adult communication in
children. Under natural conditions, the
kitten is fully independent of the mother.
6-12 months
12-15 years
Sexual maturity, most females now
fertile and able to have young although
they may not be fully-grown.
2 years
24 years
Could have raised children.
3-6 years
28-40 years
Human career-making
6-9 years
40-52 years
Middle age spread, menopause for some
women.
9-13 years
52-65 years
Human menopause and retirement. Most
cats are beginning to take things easier.
13-17 years
65-85 years
Active but ageing. Signs of senility in
some individuals, senses less acute,
injuries heal more slowly or incompletely.
Internal organs less efficient.
17-19 years
83-92 years
Probably frail due to loss of bone
density, subcutaneous fat and muscle tone.
Skin more fragile. Hearing, sight and
mobility affected. Less supple.
19-22 years
92-100 years
Amazing.
22+ years
100+ years
An exceptional individual
30 years
136 years
Several cats have recently attained
this age.
34-36 years
152-160 years
Official longevity records noted in the
Guinness Book of Records.
43 years
188 years
Unofficial (unverified) longevity
claim; cat was apparently still active and
was killed by a train.
The figures are based on veterinary and
behavioral research, though as with all
individuals there is a wide degree of variation
and there are always exceptions, with some cats
and humans enjoying a robust old age. Some
individuals mature earlier or later than average
and some remain active while their age-mates are
taking life easy.
Good
Litter Box Manners
Cats are extraordinarily fastidious creatures. Outdoors they tend to
urinate and defecate in relatively open and previously unused areas. More...
