You might have heard that for cats and dogs one year is like seven years to humans. However, calculating your pet’s age in “human years” isn’t quite that simple. Cats and dogs both reach adulthood by age two, and dogs reach middle age much more quickly than cats. So is your pet a teenager, a young adult, or a senior? Here’s how to calculate your pet’s age.
Cat Years vs. Human Years
Cats mature quite quickly. When a cat is one year old, they’re physically a teenager—about 15 years old—and by their second birthday, they’re already an adult of 24. After that, cats continue to age about four years for every calendar year. If they live for 21 years, they’ll be the equivalent of 100 years old in cat years.
If you want to figure out your cat’s age, try this cat years to human years calculator.
Cats can live a long time! The average lifespan for an indoor cat is about 15-17 years, but many cats will live for twenty years or more. Unfortunately, the same is not true for outdoor cats. Because of the dangers they face from vehicles, predators, and diseases, they usually only survive for two to three years.
Dog Years vs. Human Years
Like kittens, puppies also grow up quickly. By the time they’re six months old, they’re the same age as a 12-year-old human. And by their second birthday, they’re about 25. After that, they age about five years for every birthday. Your dog will be the equivalent of 50 years old at the age of seven.
Try out this calculator to learn your dog’s age in human years.
Lifespans for dogs vary greatly by size and by breed. For example, mixed-breed dogs tend to live longer than purebred dogs, and small to medium sized dogs live longer than large or giant dogs. So the number of dog years to human years is slightly different for every pup.
Caring for Your Pets As They Age
Puppies and kittens need different types of care than dogs and cats, and older pets often need special care as well. You may need to make changes to your pet’s diet, find gentler forms of exercise, or help them cope with aches and pains. As pets age, they also need frequent veterinary exams to check for signs of illness and disease. The sooner sick pets can get treatment, the longer their lives will be.
Veterinary Care for Pets of All Ages in Gilbert, Arizona
At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we want to help your pet live the healthiest, happiest life possible. We know pets don’t live forever, but we’ll do everything we can to make sure your pet gets the long life they deserve. Whether your cat or dog is still a teenager or “getting up there” in human years, we provide a full range of medical services for pets of all ages. Contact us to make an appointment for a wellness exam today.
Photo by Pawtography Perth on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 12/14/24.