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It is very common that those who adopt a cat in a shelter or directly from the street are unaware of the concrete age that the new family member may be. Although it is not overly relevant to know the exact age, it is important to know approximately what age group you are in, in order to plan the care or food you need.
Find out in this article by PeritoAnimal how to tell the age of a small, adult or elderly cat, with details and indications that will help to calculate it.
Know the age of a small cat
A cat is considered a kitten from birth to one year of life. Small cats are especially fragile and vulnerable and should not be exposed to the outside until they are up to date with the feline vaccination schedule, mainly to avoid the spread of any disease.
At this stage, socialization begins and they need very specific care in order to survive. Among them we can mention feeding, temperature or sphincter management. At the end of this stage is when we must start teaching our cat to use the scratches and the litter box.
- Between one and ten days old: The cat cannot do anything on its own. He is unable to stand up or fully open his eyes and is entirely dependent on his mother or caregiver. At this time they are very fragile and usually have very thick and short fur. We must provide the necessary care to make it survive.
- Between ten days and one month old: From this moment on, the small feline is able to open its eyes and starts to show interest in its surroundings, progressively. Although he is not able to coordinate his movements well, he is gradually trying to improve his balance. It is the moment when socialization begins.
- From one month of age: The cat begins to develop and show typical adult behaviors such as interest in hunting, active games, body hygiene. You will continue to show little coordination in your movements.
- one and a half months old: This is a very revealing moment, as the cat's eyes acquire their definitive color, losing the characteristic blue of childhood.
- Between two and three months of age: The cat usually weighs, approximately, between 800 grams and 1 kg in weight. They are practically developed and actively experiment with the environment in which they live.
- Between three and six months of age: From three months onwards, the cat starts showing permanent teeth, that is, much whiter and brighter.
- Between six months and one year of age: At this stage the cat still shows typical puppy behaviors, but its body begins to reach adult size.
Calculate the age of an adult cat
Adult cats are those that find themselves between one and seven years old. At this stage the cat has already overcome the socialization process and sexual maturity begins, which may involve marking territory and a cat's first heat.
This is the perfect time to plan sterilization, something we should consult with our trusted veterinarian. The adult cat, although it can remain playful, begins to have a more stable behavior.
- From the first year of age: By observing the dentition we can observe a slight darkening of the teeth as well as the appearance of tartar. It's the perfect time to start taking care of your teeth.
- Between second and third year: It is usual that at this stage even more tartar is observed in the cat's teeth, however, it can sometimes be complicated to observe, especially if you have done correct dental hygiene or if the previous owner has done so.
- Between fourth and seventh year: Your teeth start to wear out and the accumulation of tartar is very evident, in addition, your gums start to get pigmented.
Knowing the Age of an Elderly Cat
Older cats tend to show a much more relaxed lifestyle. It is estimated that they reach this stage at the age of seven or eight, even so, surpassing this age, some may look very young and be active, it will depend on each cat. However, older cats spend more hours sleeping, resting and usually start to suffer from age-specific illnesses such as loss of vision, kidney problems, muscle pain...
It is very important to know well the care of the elderly cat, as it will need specific food, a comfortable place to sleep, among other precautions. Here's how to find out the age of a cat, in this case an elderly cat:
- Between seven and ten years old: The cat starts to get lazier and it is usual for the pigmentation in the nose or gums to continue advancing. The first age-related diseases also begin to appear, but at first glance it remains a normal adult cat.
- Between the ages of ten and fifteen: At this stage the accumulation of tartar on the cat's teeth is very evident. In addition to the dental hygiene or care we may have given you, your teeth clearly show the passage of time. They start to lose weight and lose muscle tone and you can see a trace of the streaks.
- Between fifteen and twenty: At this stage of the cat's old age, it is totally evident that in addition to the health problems it may have, we can observe the appearance of white fur. It is usual for them to lose weight and their appearance is slightly clumsy, as well as you may also notice an exaggerated growth of the nails.
