Convert your cat's age to human years using the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) feline life stage guidelines — the veterinary gold standard.
Advertisement
🐈
Enter your cat's age to calculate their human-equivalent age and life stage.
Keep your senior cat comfortable. Raised food and water bowls reduce neck strain for older cats and are recommended by vets for cats over 10.
The AAFP defines six life stages: Kitten (0–6 months), Junior (7 months–2 years), Prime (3–6 years), Mature (7–10 years), Senior (11–14 years), and Super-senior (15+ years). Indoor cats typically live 12–18 years; outdoor cats 10–14 years on average due to environmental hazards.
The "16 in year one, 21 by year two" conversion is widely accepted — a 1-year-old cat has reached sexual maturity and near-adult size, equivalent to a mid-teen human. After year 2, each cat year equals approximately 4 human years.
AAFP considers cats senior from 11 years and super-senior from 15 years. With good veterinary care, many cats live to 18–20 years. The oldest verified cat (Creme Puff) lived to 38 years. Senior cats benefit from twice-yearly vet visits, kidney monitoring (the most common age-related issue in cats), dental care, and maintaining an appropriate body weight.
Signs of healthy ageing: maintaining a healthy weight, good coat condition, continuing to groom, bright eyes, normal litter box habits, remaining playful and interactive (adjusted for age). Warning signs requiring vet attention: weight loss, increased thirst/urination (can indicate kidney disease or diabetes), changes in behaviour, hiding, poor grooming, changes in appetite. Kidney disease affects 30–40% of cats over 15.