12 human years = 70 cat years. 14 human years = 80 cat years. 16 human years = 84 cat years.
The average lifespan for a pet cat is probably around 13 to 14 years. However, although their lifespan varies, a well cared for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond, some make it to 18 or 20 and a few extraordinary felines even pass 25 or 30 years of age.
From 7 to 10 years old, cats are considered mature, or squarely middle-aged at around 44 to 56 in human years. Senior cats are 11 to 14 years old—something like 60s and 70s for people. A cat past age 15 is considered “super senior” or geriatric.
Behavior Changes
Aging involves some inevitable slowdowns. Not only will your cat sleep more and become less active, he may become irritable, cranky and more easily disturbed. Playful children just may tick him off! So watch those young kids around your elderly cat and remind them to approach quietly.
Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat, Creme Puff lived to be an amazing 38 years old. Outdoor cats generally live shorter lives due to being more likely to be involved in traumas such as motor vehicle accidents or dog attacks.
At the age of 26 years and 329 day, Flossie has been recognized as the oldest cat alive. Flossie, at the age of almost 27 – which is the feline equivalent of being 120 human years old, according to Guinness World Records – has been crowned the world's oldest living cat.
Average lifespan of cats overall: Crossbred cats have a longer average lifespan of 14 years compared with 12.5 years for purebred cats. On average, a cat's lifespan is reduced by 6 months for every 1 kg increase in adult bodyweight. Annual veterinary health checks help to identify and manage health conditions earlier.
Cats are juniors until the age of 2, and like human children, may start to show a different temperament between 6 months and 2 years old, even progressing from the (sometimes) defiant 'Terrible Two's' to becoming a stroppy teenager!
"Some cats may need more emotional support as they age and others may prefer to be left alone," he explains. "They may become more dependent on relationships and require more attention. It may be harder for them to deal with changes." Sticking to normal routines reassures them, he adds.
On average, female cats live a year or two longer than their male counterparts.
The rule of thumb is that at about age 7, a cat is considered to be middle-aged. Cats aged 8 to 14 are senior, and cats aged 15 and older are geriatric.
According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Senior Care Guidelines, older cats are classified as mature or middle-aged at 7 to 10 years old, as senior cats at 11 to 14 years old, and geriatric from 15 to 25 years old.
Cats of all ages are notorious for sleeping, and senior cats are no exception. Life expectancy for cats is gradually growing longer; a cat isn't considered a “senior citizen” until they are 12 to 14 years old. Just like when they were kittens, older cats tend to sleep as much as 20 hours a day.
From 7-10 years of age, your cat begins to lose their drive to play and is less active. This is a normal shift in activity as your cat is comfortable in their environment and routine. As your cat slows down, it is crucial to monitor your pet's eating habits.
The transition to adulthood ordinarily occurs from 1 to 2 years old. At this time, and possibly after neutering, a cat may retain a lot of energy but should be notably calmer with it reaching full maturity at 2. From 3 to 10 years old, a cat is relatively calm but remains active.
The Effects of Aging
As they age, cats often suffer a decline in functioning, including their cognitive functioning. It's estimated that cognitive decline—referred to as feline cognitive dysfunction, or FCD—affects more than 55% of cats aged 11 to 15 years and more than 80% of cats aged 16 to 20 years.
Cats seem to have the ability to know that they are going to die. A sick cat will often begin seeking out places that are comfortable to them yet away from their owners.
It is common for cats to move to a quiet place when they are very close to passing. They may eat less, groom themselves less, and behave differently than normal. Some cats may become irritable and growl or hiss when interacting with other animals or humans. They may also seem anxious or restless.
Cats can live to surprisingly old age, some cats have lived past 30 years old!
The average lifespan of a cat is around 15 years, although some cats can live up to 20 years or more.
The official record of the oldest living cat holder is a 35-year-old Burmese cat. Of course, most Burmese cats don't live that long. The average lifespan of Burmese cats is 18 to 25 years and that is certainly much longer than most cats. Burmese cats are often confused with Birman cats.