How can you tell how old is a cat

Or, sometimes the inner edge of the iris becomes wavy. Cats are very meticulous when it comes to grooming, and most younger cats will keep their coats looking pristine. However, once cats reach a certain age, they might not be as thorough with their grooming as they once were. Dental issues in particular can cause a cat to stop grooming because it is painful.

Horvath says. Arthritis can be another factor since the contortions necessary to reach everywhere on the body become painful. Most cats who live long enough will eventually experience changes in their anatomy and physiology that can be picked up by veterinarians. For example, certain diseases, like kidney disease or an overactive thyroid , are quite common in older cats but relatively rare in the young. Horvath and Dr. Nappier repeatedly emphasize that determining the age of a cat without knowing its history is truly a guessing game.

Home Slideshows. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: September 25, Previous Next. By 6 months, your cat will have all of their shiny white adult teeth.

Teeth may start to dull around the 2 year mark. Between the ages of 3 and 5 years, the teeth may start building up a little tartar around the gum line especially the molars and tooth wear may be visible. You might also want to try giving your kitty yummy dental treats. These help fight gum disease which can cause serious health problems, like infection, down the line.

Most kittens will reach their full size at one year of age. As a cat ages, he or she may develop a paunch that hangs down. This cat developed her paunch around 2 years old. As cats age, changes in their muscle tone and fur occur. A cat is considered a senior between 8 and 10 years of age.

When a kitten is born, it has thick, short fur. As they age, their fur becomes softer and finer. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. Our Other Sites Close. Our Other Sites. Thank you for visiting our website, we hope you have found our information useful. Donate Now. Spread the Word Twitter Facebook Linkedin. Search iCatCare.