Correct methods for calculating a cat's human age

It is often said that the age of a cat or dog can be “converted to human age” by simply multiplying the animal’s number of years by 7. With such a counting system, a one-year-old animal would correspond to a seven-year-old child, a two-year-old cat would correspond to a fourteen-year-old teenager, and a twelve-year-old cat would correspond to a 96-year-old man. A cat's twenty years would correspond to a human's 140 years, and so on. However, in reality, this does not allow for a truly clear comparison of all stages of development of human and cat organisms.

We follow a different, much more meaningful comparative methodology.

Here's how to calculate a cat's age in human terms: let's consider the first year

The life of a cat is equivalent to
fifteen years
of a human;
the second year
corresponds to
24 years
of human life.
Each subsequent year
can be considered to correspond to
four years
. With this counting system, a cat's age of 12 years corresponds to the age of a 64-year-old person (24+).

If a cat is lucky enough to live more than sixteen years, then the subsequent years can perhaps be multiplied by three, equating each year to three human years.

When you start to look closely at a cat's life, you see that this comparison makes perfect sense. For example, in the first year of life, a cat learns to live independently and independently of its mother, learns to hunt, get food, and get along with its new family. In the first year, the cat usually reaches sexual maturity (with some cats this happens as early as six months). Most members of the human race reach sexual maturity at about fifteen years of age.

A two-year-old cat is already a fully grown animal with an established character and attitude to life, she already knows what she wants from others, and understands perfectly well how she can achieve this - some people only just manage to reach this level by the age of 24 !

A cat can be considered to have reached middle age when it reaches eight years of age

. Different cats, just as with people, are affected differently by the ravages of time, so that the period of middle age can stretch out for an indefinite period of time - from eight years to about sixteen. Just as some people are able to run a marathon at 70 years old, or even go on hikes at more than 80 years old, some cats at twenty years old happily continue to carry caught mice to their owners, while others can barely get in at ten years old. on a bench to warm my old bones.

If we consider that twelve years is the age at which a cat has reached retirement, then a fifteen-year-old cat may well correspond to a strong and well-preserved person of 76 years old, while twenty-year-olds are as rare as old people of 92 years old.

Those rare people who manage to live more than 30 years - 124 years by human standards - are simply unique, it’s inexplicable! Maybe it makes sense to develop a special ceremony and name these amazing cats Methuselahs.

Of course, the lifespan of animals largely depends on the conditions and animals. Typically, domestic animals have a longer lifespan than stray animals of the same species. Many animals in zoos live longer than their “free” relatives, thanks to the fact that specialists closely monitor their nutrition and the conditions of their detention. However, it also happens that animals in captivity live less than in nature. This happens with exotic animals, whose owners are often not aware of the rules for caring for them.

The average lifespan of cats is 10-15 years. For various reasons, stray cats live much shorter: 3 - 5 years. There are also long-lived cats

. Thus, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the spotted cat Ma from the UK and the Granpa Rex Alen cat from the USA lived the longest of all known domestic cats, 34 years each.

When a furry creature lives in the house, household members become interested in how to calculate a cat’s human age. At first glance it may seem like an idle question. However, drawing an analogy between the age of a pet and the years of a person’s life has practical significance. Knowing how old a pet is in human terms, owners will be able to adjust the upbringing of the animal and approach health and maintenance issues accordingly.

Let's make an analogy

It is not so difficult to find out the age of a domestic cat. To do this, you can simply look at the veterinary passport of your purebred pet. If the cat was picked up on the street or there is no information about its date of birth, then a veterinarian can help determine its age. This is done by assessing their condition. However, the announced figure is unlikely to be informative and will give a complete picture of the youth or old age of the animal. There are several more options for calculating the age of a cat.

Most cat breeders know that if the pet’s years are multiplied by a factor of 7, then this will correspond to the person’s age. Taking this method as a basis, it turns out that a kitten up to one year old in its mental development resembles a 7-year-old child. However, this simplified method is incorrect. In fact, a cat that is over one year old is developmentally equivalent to an adult 18-year-old person.

Experienced breeders and experts in the field of zoopsychology offer a more complex, but correct method for calculating the age of a cat. According to this method of recalculation, in the first year of life, when the animal develops physically, the formation of the pet’s psyche occurs, equivalent to the age of a child of 15 years. A cat's youth is characterized by the blossoming of physical fitness and puberty.

Young animals during this period are already similar to adults, but continue to play and frolic with pleasure. Veterinarians recommend that owners at this age not engage in breeding, but wait 1.5 - 2 years.

When a cat is 2 years old, it is approaching 24 years of human life. This is the most optimal time for the first birth in females and mating in males. The most active and cheerful time lasts for pets until they are 3 years old, when their age corresponds to 28 years by human standards.

After 2 years, 4 should be added to each previous year. Thus, an adult cat that is 6 years old will correspond to the age of 40 years for a person. The period of life of pets from 2 to 6 - 7 years is characterized by the most active sexual functions. After the seven-year mark, veterinary specialists and breeders recommend stopping reproductive function to prevent health problems and the risk of having defective offspring.

This technique most accurately helps to understand how age is calculated in cats. After the pet turns 16 years old, which corresponds to extreme human old age (a person would be 83 years old), 3 should be added to each year.

Periods of a dog's life

The entire life of dogs can be divided into several periods:

• Lactic;
• Puppy;
• Teenage;
• Youthful;
• Mature;
• Elderly.

The dog experiences growth during the milking, puppy, and teenage years. So the smallest dogs, for the most part, fully grow by 10 months. Well, the largest breeds stop growing by 2 years.

Adolescence in tiny breeds begins at 10 months and ends on average at 8 years. However, in larger four-legged animals, adolescence ends much earlier; already at 3 years old, some dogs can be called mature, while medium-sized dog breeds go through the stage of adolescence at about 4 - 5 years old.

A small breed dog becomes full-fledged and mature after 8 years of age, and this period continues until the 12th year of life. The largest breeds reach maturity at 3 years old, and remain so for up to 6 years. The duration of maturity in average representatives of tetrapods ranges from 7 to 10 years.

Naturally, old age also comes to dogs; there is no escape from it. The youngest dog breeds may experience some age-related inconveniences only after 12 years. By the way, pocket dogs, which are constantly in the arms of girls, can live even more than 20 years, which cannot be said about other pets.

Medium-sized dogs begin to age rapidly after 8 to 10 years of age and can live in this state for about several years. Well, the largest four-legged animals already after 6 years enter the phase of old age and the duration of their future life will depend only on proper care.

About the importance of calculations

Drawing an analogy between the age of an animal and human years is of practical importance for proper upbringing and maintenance. Thus, many owners mistakenly believe that a six-month-old kitten is just a small child 3 to 5 years old. In fact, the baby corresponded to this childhood age at 3 - 4 months. It is important to know this feature so as not to miss the moment of raising and socializing a young animal.

If you treat a 6-month-old kitten like a child aged 10-12 years, then you can understand what is acceptable in a pet’s behavior and what is an oversight in upbringing. Through games and entertainment, a young animal should develop social behavior skills and the concept of prohibitions. At the age of one year, the attitude of household members towards a cat that is already adult in their opinion should be like that of a 15-16 year old teenager. In no case should a pet be mated until it is a year old; this is too early for the animal’s fragile psyche.

Until the age of 6, the animal is full of strength and energy and is capable of actively reproducing offspring. There are practically no health problems observed during this period. It is characterized by the animal’s greatest activity; the pet is healthy and full of energy.

After 7 - 8 years, a cat's old age begins with corresponding restrictions and problems. By this period, responsible owners either carry out the animal or stop the reproduction of offspring by other means. As a rule, it is at this age, which corresponds to 44 - 48 years of age for a person, that the animal begins to have health problems.

Knowing how long a cat’s year is considered by human standards, it is not difficult for the owner to understand that a pet at the age of 10-11 years has already reached “retirement” age. The cat sleeps more, does not take part in games, and may have senile sores. The owner and household members should take into account the peculiarities of the physiological state of their elderly pet.

By external signs

Umbilical cord. The presence of an umbilical cord indicates that the puppy was recently born. If the umbilical cord is still fresh, the puppy is no more than a day old. On the 2nd day it dries up, and on the 3rd it is already separated from the dog’s belly.

Eyes. The puppy remains blind until 10-20 days of its life. The eyes should open before the first month. The cloudy and gray-blue color of the iris is characteristic of tsutsiki for up to a month. Clear eyes are characteristic of dogs one month and older. It is worth paying attention to the dog's gaze.

Ears. In the first days of life, the puppy does not hear anything. The baby will begin to recognize the first sounds only after the second week of life, and to fully hear by the month. As the puppy grows, its ears grow.

Weight. Obviously, a small puppy will weigh differently than an adult dog. There are tables of approximate weights for small and large breeds at all ages.

For dwarf breeds:

For large and medium breeds, other parameters are presented. Knowing how much a dog of a particular breed should weigh at maturity, you can find out whether it has reached canine adulthood.

You need to be especially careful with giant breeds, as their dimensions develop very, very rapidly. One-month-old Labrador puppies weigh from 3.4 to 3.6 kg and grow to 30-40 within two years. The weight of an 11-month-old Rottweiler can already reach 50 kg.

Cat age

When purchasing a furry friend, the owner and household members must understand that cats do not live as long as humans. When figuring out how many years a cat goes through a year, the owner is most often interested in the animal’s life expectancy. An indicator such as the average life expectancy of furry couch potatoes depends on many factors.

Of course, the lifespan of a cat is a very average indicator. Pets are known to live 30 years or more. However, such long-livers are rather an exception in the world of furry couch potatoes.

Lebeau's theory

In the middle of the last century, a veterinarian from France A. Lebo developed his theory to calculate the age of a dog in relation to a human, which is based on the accelerated development of four-legged pets in puppyhood. In his calculations, he compared the period of puberty, maturity and average life expectancy in pets and people.

According to his calculations, the development of a dog at 12 months is the same as that of a teenager at 14–15 years old, 2 years correspond to 23–25 years of a person, each subsequent year of an animal’s life is equal to 4–5 human years. But in his calculations the doctor did not take into account the size of the pets.

Separation of dogs depending on body weight

How to extend the life of a pet

Wanting to know the answer to the question of how long a cat's year is considered, the owner is not just showing curiosity. First of all, such data will help prolong the life of your beloved couch potato. In order for a cat to delight family members with its presence for a long time, the owner should know how to prolong the life of a furry pet:

• For each breed, you should follow the advice and recommendations of breeders on.

• Conduct routine vaccination against infectious diseases.

• If an animal is not of breed value, then to increase its life expectancy it should be castrated or sterilized at an early age.

• Regular preventive examinations by a veterinarian allow you to identify diseases at an early stage, as well as adjust housing and nutritional conditions. After 6 - 7 years, the cat should be taken to the clinic every six months, including ultrasound diagnostics of internal organs.

• Feeding your pet premium and super-premium food will prevent the development of many diseases and prolong the life of your furry homebody.

The owner, knowing how to calculate the age of a cat, will be able to avoid many mistakes in keeping a pet. Raising, caring for, feeding, and caring for the health of an animal must correspond to its age, physical and mental condition.

How to calculate how old a cat is? This question may concern many who pick up stray animals or for some reason do not know the date of birth of their pet.

Today, the life expectancy of cats tends to increase and is approximately 12-17 years. Typically, cats living at home live up to 18 years, sometimes more. But cats with access to the street have a shorter life expectancy due to the dangers that may lie in wait for them on the street: cars, consumption of dangerous foods, human factor, etc.

The life expectancy of your pet is influenced by many reasons: heredity, quality of life, including quality of nutrition (read) and in general.

Cats tend to mature quickly. A year after their birth, they are already fully developed and reach sexual maturity. Therefore, compared to humans, cats have an extremely short childhood.

You can understand how to determine the age of a kitten using the following criteria:

Teeth. How to determine a cat's age by its teeth

Teeth are a good indicator for determining the age of a kitten. Baby teeth appear between two and four weeks of age. Later, milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, and tooth replacement occurs at the age of about 3-4 months.

By opening your mouth and finding permanent white teeth there, you can say that you have a cat about a year old, maximum one and a half years old. Slight yellowing of the teeth or the presence of tartar indicates an age of approximately 1.5 - 2 years.

The presence of tartar on all teeth is approximately 3-5 years. The absence of teeth in a cat's mouth can indicate a very old age.

However, it should be noted that teeth are not an absolutely accurate indicator of the age of an animal. They may be in poor condition due to improper care of the animal, or, on the contrary, snow-white teeth may mislead you when calculating the age and only indicate impeccable care for the animal.

Here is an approximate list by which, by looking into your pet’s oral cavity, you can approximately determine how old he is:

• 2-4 weeks - baby teeth erupt;
• 3-4 months - replacement of baby teeth begins;
• 5-6 months - complete replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones;
• 1 year - healthy cats have white teeth without much tartar;
• 2 years - the middle incisors on the lower jaw wear away, the enamel turns yellow, and tartar accumulates;
• 3-5 years - the central incisors of the upper jaw, the outermost incisors and canines are worn out;
• 6-7 years - the pigmentation of tooth enamel is disturbed, the outer incisors of the upper jaw are erased;
• from the age of 10, the central incisors begin to fall out, then the middle and extreme ones;
• By the age of 15-18, fangs fall out.

Puberty

If your cat is trying to mark its territory, the urine has a specific strong odor - this indicates that the pet has reached sexual maturity (usually this happens at the age of about 5-6 months). Mature cats become very affectionate and emit loud meows. They go into heat, calling for potential suitors, starting at the age of 5 – 12 months.

Appearance of wool

Younger cats have soft, fine fur. With age, the coat becomes coarser, the color may lighten or, on the contrary, darken. Older animals, like people, have gray hair, individual white or gray hairs, as well as entire spots, may appear.

Eyes

Juveniles usually have clean, clear and bright eyes. With age, you may notice a change in eye color or the presence of clouding, pigmentation disorders of the iris. They are developing.

Teeth

It is easy to determine the age of a dog by looking at its teeth. Veterinarians and dog handlers most accurately determine the age of an animal precisely by the condition of its teeth. Below is a complete table of the relationship between the number of teeth a dog has and its age.

Cat's age in relation to humans

1 cat year is 15 human years

Speaking about homeliness and comfort, it is simply impossible not to talk about the cutest, but laziest animals - cats and kittens. These furry creatures make our lives much better by giving us their warmth and love. And for sure, every owner has thought about how old his pet is, if we translate this into human standards. Perhaps the answer to this question would help you understand your cat’s behavior. After all, it is age that affects the physical and spiritual state of both humans and animals. Perhaps the reason for all the dirty tricks and playful mood is just a youthful period, but the sadness in the eyes of your pet is due to the fact that he is having a midlife crisis. You will learn how to find out the age of your cat in today's article.

Factors influencing the rate of aging and life expectancy

On average, dogs live 12.8 years, cats - 14 years. These are the average age of the record-breaking dog, the Australian cattle dog Bluey, 29 years old. Among cats, the record was set by the cat Lucy, who is currently 42 years old. Cats often live much longer than dogs.

The lifespan of a dog is greatly influenced by its size; small animals are given more time than large animals. Among giant breeds, the normal life expectancy is 10 years, while small indoor dogs can easily live up to 16.

Otherwise, the factors that influence how long your pet will live are common to dogs and cats.

Breed

Outbred animals - mestizos - are famous for their good health. They are more resistant to infections, since they are a product of not only artificial, but also natural selection and most often have small or medium sizes.

But even among purebred cats and dogs, some breeds guarantee a longer life on average, for example, Dalmatians often live longer than purebred dogs of the same size. Another simple rule is that breeds that are far from their wild ancestors and have undergone significant changes during the breeding process cannot boast of a large number of long-livers. Representatives of “natural” and old breeds live longer. This can be explained very simply - the smaller the number of individuals from which the breed is bred, the worse the health of the animals will be. And all breeds with an unusual appearance were bred from a very limited number of animals, without significant infusions of “fresh” blood. Until recently, old breeds (Siamese cats, various herding dogs) were formed in uncontrolled conditions, in which, along with human preferences, the breed was influenced by its ability to survive.

Therefore, if you are determined to buy a dog or cat with an elaborate, altered appearance, you should be prepared for the fact that your pet will leave you at a relatively young age.

Sex and participation in reproduction

Animals are characterized by the same dependence as people - bitches and cats live on average a year or two longer than males and cats. This is primarily due to the fact that males spend a lot of energy and health on conquering territory and are damaged in fights, which they engage in much more often than females.

Sex-dependent, life expectancy only exists if the animal is not spayed or neutered. Dogs and cats deprived of reproductive functions live an order of magnitude longer - they do not experience stress associated with sexual behavior. Therefore, if you want your pet to live a long time and do not plan to get offspring from it, the best option would be castration or sterilization.

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Lifestyle and living conditions

Just like people, animals that eat well, live in a warm home, get regular veterinary checks, and don't get injured while wandering the streets live longer than strays. The average life expectancy of stray cats is 6-8 years. For dogs, this rule is also true, so street dogs living in a kennel around the yard die at a younger age - they are constantly exposed to negative environmental factors.

It is difficult to compare the age of a pet with a human due to the numerous characteristics of the psyche and way of thinking of our pets. But comparison tables will help you imagine what emotional age level your pet is at, and factors influencing life expectancy can help prolong the happy life of your four-legged family member. It is always worth remembering that all dog and cat ages, including old age, have their advantages if the animal is healthy.

Cat arithmetic

Very often, cat owners ask themselves the following question: “How old is our Barsik?” This question is especially relevant when your beloved pet was taken from the street. It is not very difficult to understand this issue, because by counting how many years your cat has already lived with you and adding the approximate age until he appeared in your life, you can determine the correct age. But what do the 3 or 4 years you count say? Judging by human standards, this is just a child who needs careful care. But in a cat's life everything is different. How to convert a cat's age to a person's age?

Surely, if you ask this question to someone, you will hear that cat arithmetic is the simplest science. According to many “experts”, 1 year of a cat’s life is equal to 7 human years. But, if you count it this way, then at 2 years old, your Barsik will already be a real teenager. And if your pet has been living next to you for more than 10 years, then saying that he is an 80-year-old man is completely absurd. But, if we remember that a domestic cat in good conditions can live up to 20 years, and if we translate this into human standards, according to the so-called cat arithmetic, we can get a record 140 years. Therefore, it is not worth doing such a translation, because you can attribute several dozen extra years to your cat.

The ratio of the age of a cat to a person is, first of all, a calculation in which it is very important to take into account the real age of your pet. So, how can you find out and calculate the age of a cat in accordance with human standards?

The first year of your pet's life is equal to 15 years of human life, this figure is quite large, but it is really true for the cat's age. The second year is equivalent to 24-25 years of age. After this, you should simply add 4 years. Thus, at 3 years old, your cat will be approximately 28 human years old. If your cat has lived for more than 16 years, then his 1 year of life should be counted as 3 years of human years. There is also a special table by which you can easily determine what age your pet is.

Long-lived dogs – TOP 5 breeds

There are several dog breeds that are distinguished by good health and long life expectancy.

• The New Guinea Singing Dog is an aboriginal breed with excellent health and strong innate immunity. The dog is notable for the fact that its average lifespan is from 19 to 20 years. Moreover, females are capable of producing full-fledged offspring up to 12-13 years of age.
• Chihuahua is a Mexican, representative of the smallest dogs. The advantage of a Chihuahua is good health and the absence of hereditary diseases, but in cold weather it is recommended to wear dog overalls for walks to avoid colds. The average life expectancy is 17 years, but with good care it lives 20-22 years.
• The toy poodle is a German decorative dog (height at the withers is 15 cm). One of the positive qualities of a living toy is its significant life expectancy, which is 17 years and above.
• The Jack Russell Terrier was bred in Great Britain as an excellent companion and hunter. He is very active and needs frequent walks and lots of exercise. The owner can enjoy companionship with his friend for 16-20 years.
• Cockapoo is an artificially bred cross between a miniature poodle and a cocker spaniel. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, the dog has a lot of advantages. Will stay with the owner for 17-20 years.

What dog breeds live the shortest?

Dogs of impressive size have the shortest life expectancy. It’s a shame that these smart and devoted friends can only stay with their loving owners for no more than 10 years.

• The Dogue de Bordeaux was developed in France. A very beautiful, confident and calm dog of large size, with strong bones. The average lifespan is short and is 6-8 years.
• The Great Dane is another representative of the giant breeds. This is a devoted, faithful and very smart friend. The breed is rightfully considered aristocratic, but does not live long - 7-8 years.
• The Bernese Mountain Dog was born in Switzerland. This is a representative of large herding dogs. Apartment housing and its companion – physical inactivity – have a very bad effect on the pet’s health and shorten years of life. On average, the Bernese Mountain Dog lives 8-10 years.
• The Irish Wolfhound is a large, wire-haired dog bred specifically for hunting wolves and other large game. Possesses fragile health and low life expectancy (6-8 years).
• The Neapolitan Mastiff is a large dog, fearless in battle with enemies, faithful and devoted to its owner. Even with good care, the Neapolitan Mastiff lives 6-8 years.

Why do small dogs live longer than big ones?

Biologist Cornelia Kraus from the University of Gettin, conducting research with large and small dogs, noticed the following pattern: the rate of aging of animals depends on the presence of growth hormones in their bodies, in particular the insulin-like growth factor IGF-1, produced by the liver. Cornelia suggested that large puppies contain more of it, because they grow in height more rapidly:

• a poodle puppy, when it reaches one year, becomes 20 times heavier;
• A Great Dane puppy becomes 100 times heavier after living for a year.

The biologist suggested that the rapid aging of large dogs is a side effect of the presence of this hormone in the body. Thus, dog years and the level of development in large and small pets are almost identical in the first years of life. The difference begins to increase rapidly after the fifth year of life.

Features of a cat's age

The second version of the translation can really be considered the most truthful, because based on it, you can get a similarity of ages. For example, 1 year of a cat’s life is, of course, the beginning. In the first months, the kitten gets comfortable and gets to know the people who surround him, learns to jump, and of course, get food and take care of himself. By 9 months, puberty begins, just like in humans.

At 2 years old, it develops into a real young individual, which has already formed its own tastes, characteristics and character. Cats at this age do an excellent job of being manipulated by their owners. Also at this age, your pet can become the mother or father of future offspring. And if we consider this by human standards, then this is really a 24-year-old man.

Speaking about older cats and cats, it is impossible not to mention the midlife crisis, which occurs in both people and animals. During this period, your cat may simply become uncontrollable, his behavior may shock you, but do not rush to get upset because such depression will soon pass. At the age of 15-16 years, your cat becomes a real old man. During this period, corresponding ones may begin, which, unfortunately, are inevitable.

Stages of development - features

A pet goes through the same stages in its development as humans - toddlerhood, late childhood, early and late puberty, growing up, maturity, old age. But, unlike people, the formation of basic character traits and behavior is completed at 2 years.

How to determine the age of a four-legged pet:

1. Milk teeth - begin to erupt in puppies older than 1 month, fall out at 4 months, the change of dentition ends at approximately 8 months.
2. Molars – up to 2 years of age, dogs have sharp, intact teeth. The lower jaw wears down at the age of 4–6 years; after 7 years, teeth begin to fall out.
3. Coat – young pets have a soft coat that is evenly colored. After 6 years, the coat becomes coarser and gray hairs can be seen.
4. Eyes – in puppies, the eyes have a bright, uniform color, gradually the organs of vision become less transparent, and regular discharge is observed.
5. Activity - up to six months, puppies are in motion almost all the time; with age, active games and long walks attract dogs less and less.

According to veterinary statistics, the average age of domestic dogs is 12–13 years.

How to extend the age of your pet?

According to many veterinarians and owners, cats live on average from 10 to 15 years.

These are quite long periods, because translating this to human age, we get approximately the same level of life expectancy. But there are cases when a domestic cat lives up to 20 years, or even more. How to extend the life of your pet? First of all, do not forget that you are unlikely to be able to achieve record results, but adding a couple of years to your life is quite within your power.

You should remember about timely visits to the veterinarian. Also remember that taking vitamins is just as important for cats as it is for humans.

If you do not know which vitamins are required for full development, and in what form they should be, consult a veterinarian. And, of course, the owner’s love for the pet. After all, it is love and care that will give your pet a bright and wonderful life. Love your pets and take care of them, because without them our life will be very boring and ordinary.

Cat habits change with age, and often the owners of these animals try to find out the cat's age by human standards so that the pet's antics and tricks do not take them by surprise. Determining the age of a cat by human standards is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. The fact is that the thinking of people is radically different from the habits of our pets, since they live only by instincts.

Time passes much faster for them than for people. There are 3 main ways to determine how old a pet is by human standards:

• Odds table;
• Ratio;
• Simple arithmetic.

Remember that all the cat ages provided in the table by human standards will be very approximate, since it is impossible to accurately assess the level of intelligence of the animal even with a thorough examination.

Does age depend on size?

Four-legged animals of different sizes age at different rates; the larger and older the dog, the faster the aging process occurs.

Small breeds like Chihuahuas mature more slowly, while giant breeds like Great Danes mature faster. The larger your pet is at maturity, the faster his body ages. Therefore, large ones live less than small or medium ones, but there are always exceptions.

Odds table

The most popular method is to use a coefficient table. This is a special number that approximately determines how many human years pass while a pet lives 1 year.

It is incorrect to compare the psychological characteristics, logic and thinking of cats and people, so scientists have created a special plate showing the ratio of cat and human ages. If the exact age is unknown, any veterinarian can determine it (by the animal’s teeth and the general condition of the body).

Cheat sheet for foundling owners

If a new family member is picked up on the street or taken from a shelter, then his age will be determined by the condition of his teeth, eyes and internal organs, as well as the appearance of his skin and fur. Often you cannot do without x-rays and ultrasound, so only a veterinarian will provide accurate data

If a trip to the veterinary clinic is not possible in the coming days, then pay attention to:

1. Elasticity and color of wool. Loose skin and gray hair are characteristic of older animals.
2. Eyes. The older the dog, the worse his vision and the cloudier his pupils.
3. Cleanliness and wear of teeth. Up to 2 months, puppies have milk teeth with snow-white enamel. By 7 months they change to native ones, but do not lose their whiteness. Darkening of the enamel and yellowness indicate that the animal is older than 7 months, but younger than 2 years. From the age of 2 the first tartar appears, and after 5 years there is noticeable wear on the surface of the teeth. The absence of some teeth and an abundance of tartar is observed in dogs over 10 years old.

Please note that the presented pattern directly depends on lifestyle. If a dog has lived on the street for a long time, then the condition of his teeth will be worse than that of a four-legged pupil from a good shelter

Age ratio

The age of cats in human terms can be determined using a ratio. With this calculation option, one year of a pet’s life should be equated to a certain number of years of a person’s life. Example:

• 15 human years is 1 year of a cat’s life;
• 24 human years is the second year of a cat’s life;
• Then, each year of the cat’s life adds 4 human years to its age, until the figure reaches 16 years;
• After this period, each year is equivalent to 3.

In this way, you can track the maturation of the cat. A two-year-old cat and a 24-year-old guy can easily be considered peers. At this age, the pet's character is already fully formed.

Age-related diseases usually begin by age 15 (76 human years for a cat). The pet's behavior also changes significantly:

• Interest in any cat games decreases sharply;
• Drowsiness appears;
• Diseases associated with wear and tear on the body may begin.

Age characteristics, behavior and character can be influenced by the breed of the animal.

Dog age chart by human standards

It is not necessary to independently calculate how old a dog is by human standards; there is a special table for this. It determines the age of a dog based on its size.

The data in the table does not always correspond to reality; there are exceptions. Thus, the age of a beagle dog (medium size) that has reached 1 year is equivalent to 20 human years.

In their development, dogs go through the same stages as other mammals:

• puppies (cubs);
• teenagers (average between a puppy and an adult dog);
• adult animal;
• old individual.

A dog is considered an adult when it reaches the age of 1 year.

Simple Arithmetic

A very simple way to find out how old a cat lives by human standards is to multiply the animal's age by 7. This method gives the most inaccurate result of all those listed above, for example, a one-year-old cat is more independent than a child aged 7

. The reason is that our pets are driven mainly by instincts, which help them adapt faster. Also, cats more often live to be 20 years old than humans are to live to be 140. This arithmetic method, in which the year of a cat’s life by human standards is equal to 7 years, does not make it possible to compare the stages of development of intelligence.

Converting a cat's age to human age using the proposed systems is not difficult. The main problem is that none of the existing methods will give an accurate result.

Why do small dogs live longer than large dogs?

This phenomenon still puzzles scientists, and they have yet to explain the relationship between a dog's body weight and lifespan. Generally speaking, large mammals like elephants and whales tend to live longer than small ones like mice. So why do small dogs live longer than large dogs?

Some researchers believe that the lives of large dogs are accelerating over time. Scientists have concluded that every 2 kg of body weight reduces a dog's potential life expectancy by about 1 month.

One likely reason for this is that larger dogs may become more vulnerable to age-related diseases more quickly, and that the increased growth of larger dogs may lead to a higher likelihood of abnormal cell growth and death from cancer. The researchers plan to conduct additional future large-scale experiments to better explain the relationship between size and mortality.

The Internet is simply teeming with requests from curious owners “how to determine how old my dog ​​is by human standards?” Indeed, every pet owner, no matter if it is a dog, a cat or a guinea pig, is trying to figure this out.

If the cat's age is initially unknown

Often, compassionate lovers of our furry little brothers take one of them from the street, and in this case it is quite difficult to determine the age of the animal, even approximately. But in order to know how old a cat is by human standards, you simply need to know his exact year of birth.

A veterinarian can help you with this matter. Experienced doctors can easily determine the age and years of a cat in relation to a person when examining the animal’s oral cavity.

Tooth development:

• All milk teeth erupt in a one-month-old kitten;
• Indigenous - at the age of 6 months;
• At the age of 1.5 years, the lower central incisors are worn out;
• At the age of 2.5 years, the middle lower incisors begin to wear off;
• By 3.5 and 4.5 years, the central and middle lower incisors wear out, respectively;
• By the age of 5.5 years, fangs may wear off;
• By 6, the condition of the upper extreme incisors worsens;
• Up to 9 years of age, the rubbing surfaces of all lower incisors change;
• Aging of the central upper incisors begins at approximately 10 years of age;
• By age 12, the animal may lose its central incisors;
• At the age of 15 he may be left without teeth.

These numbers may vary depending on the quality of life, diet, and breed of animal. Adding all the necessary minerals and vitamins to the food will help preserve your cat’s teeth for as long as possible.

Once you have calculated exactly how old your pet is, a cat age chart can be applied in human years.

Photo - how a dog's appearance changes with age

Dogs can change the owner’s quality of life for the better. The latter has the power to provide the pet with adequate care both during puppyhood and during natural aging.

3.7 / 5 ( 3 voices)

What to do to extend the life of a cat

The owner must take proper care of his pet so that he lives as long as possible. There are several recommendations that are worth studying before getting a kitten:

• Carefully monitor the animal’s diet, try to buy balanced, high-quality food;
• Buy additional special vitamins and nutritional supplements that can prevent vitamin deficiency. These drugs are sold at any veterinary pharmacy;
• Take into account all the recommendations that are related to the peculiarities of caring for a particular breed;
• Play with your pet more often, if possible - let it go for a walk so that the animal can lead an active lifestyle;
• Take care of his health. Be sure to get all the necessary vaccinations, seek help from a veterinarian at the first signs of any illness, keep the bowl always clean, and provide constant access to water;
• Give your animal love and attention, which will definitely have a positive effect on its longevity.

Other age-related features in the life of a pet

During the life of a pet, behavioral characteristics are also observed at different stages.

From the moment of birth until 18 days, the puppy is helpless. He is blind, deaf, and completely dependent on his mother. During this period, its main activity is feeding. The purpose of its movement (crawling) is to search for milk. From 15 to 21 days, the puppy gains the ability to see and hear. He runs, jumps, and actively reacts to external stimuli. Conditioned reflexes are being formed, including defensive ones. Starting from the 3rd week, the puppy gains weight rapidly and the brain mass increases. The period from 1.5 to 3 months is considered the most important from the point of view of puppy training. By 12 weeks, mother's guardianship ends and the baby comes under the owner's wing.

It is important at this moment to immediately accustom your pet to the rules established in the house. Mistakes made in parenting during this period can lead to serious problems in the future.

This is especially true for guard and service dogs. The puppy must be taught to respond to its name, and also taught the simplest commands - “place”, “come to me”. The time of life from 3 to 7 months is the period of formation of the nervous system. It is at this age that the dog’s behavioral type is determined – active or passive.

Subsequently, the pet's character changes slightly. Changes occur in older dogs. They become less social, move little, and sleep more.

Age at which the first heat occurs

The first heat in female dogs occurs between 6 months in miniature dogs and 1 year in large breeds. In any case, it occurs after a complete change of teeth.

It may go unnoticed. In order not to miss this moment, the owner needs to note all changes in behavior. Dogs often show aggression towards males. This serves as one of the signs of puberty.

At what age can a dog be spayed?

• The issue of sterilizing a dog depends on whether the animal is planned to be used for breeding. If the answer is yes, sterilization seems advisable in old age, starting from 7-8 years.
• In other cases, to avoid problems with unnecessary pregnancy in females or excessive activity and aggressiveness in males, it is worth considering sterilization (castration) in the early stages of life.

girl

Bitches are usually spayed before their first heat. The age of females at this moment can be from 6 to 12 months. Therefore, if such a decision is made, it is necessary to clarify in advance with the breeder the features of the appearance of the first discharge in a particular breed.

Castrate a male dog

The general recommendation for castration of male dogs is that this procedure is carried out no earlier than 6-7 months. The main factor in determining the timing is the relationship with the pet’s puberty. In large dogs it can be completely completed by 12-18 months.

Age of teeth change

Babies begin to erupt teeth at the age of 12-14 days. By the end of 3 weeks of life, canines erupt, and at 1 month, the front incisors are usually present. The last to appear are the premolars (with the exception of small breeds, whose teeth cut later).

With normal development, 45-60 days after birth, the pet has a full row of milk teeth (28 pieces). The process of changing teeth to molars begins at 4 months and lasts from 2 to 4 months.

Replacement occurs in a different sequence than emergence. The incisors, premolars and molars are replaced first

Primary canines are the last to fall out. It is important to pay increased attention to the oral cavity during this period and, if necessary, remove loose teeth. This is the key to the correct formation of a dog’s bite. It must be scissor-shaped, that is, the upper canines necessarily slightly overlap the lower ones.

Features of the elderly

Old age is characterized by a number of features:

• Medical in nature (deterioration of vision, weakening of muscle structure, thinning of teeth, the appearance of diseases - diabetes, obesity, arthritis);
• Behavioral plan (decreased activity, increased sleep time, the appearance of causeless barking).

During this period, it is recommended to switch the pet to dry food (if previously feeding was provided with natural products). You need to choose special food for older dogs. They contain a full range of vitamins and microelements that support the cardiovascular and skeletal systems of the animal.

Comparison of the age periods of a cat and a person

Infancy

The period of infancy in a kitten passes more quickly than in humans. It only lasts a few weeks. During this time, the kitten goes through a difficult period, discovers a new world, and learns to walk.

Kittens are born blind, deaf and completely helpless. A week later, the protective film on the ears disappears, and the eyes open 5-9 days after birth.

. In the second week, teeth begin to cut. If we translate this age into human terms, then in our children this period begins 5-9 months after birth.

Month-old kittens are already running and jumping, that is, this is about a year and a half of a cat by human standards. A three-month-old cat is comparable in intelligence to a two-year-old child.

Childhood

Cat children develop very quickly, so it is not easy to compare this period with human children. At 4 months of life, these animals are already actively playing and communicating with other pets.

, recognize “friends” and “strangers”, can take care of themselves without the help of their mother (lick fur, wash their face, sharpen their claws, feed themselves). They learn all this from their mother’s example, although instincts also play an important role.

During the first year of life, a cat goes through all the stages of growing up, which is comparable to 18 years of human life. This is why you should pay maximum attention to training your pet before he develops habits and games that you do not want or cannot tolerate. You must teach him that he cannot go to the toilet wherever he wants, that he cannot sharpen his claws on furniture, etc.

Teenage years

You cannot treat adult cats like children; you cannot help but react to aggression, “puddles” and other harmful pranks, thinking that with age this will all stop by itself. Remember that a 6-month-old cat is comparable in human years to an already developed human teenager.

Although the kitten looks small and cute, like a child, it begins to test the boundaries of what is permitted. If the owner wants to raise an obedient cat, it is necessary to firmly and promptly stop “rebellion”.

The next unpleasant surprise for cat owners at this unusual age of animals is puberty. At the age of 6.5 months, cats go into heat

, and cats, in turn, can react to them, since they are already quite ready for mating. However, it is undesirable to allow mating, because during this period the cat is not yet ready for either childbirth or motherhood.

Youth

During its youth, the cat is strong, agile and tireless. For purebred cats, this is the best period for various competitions and exhibitions. Up to 7 years of age, the animal is optimally suited to have healthy offspring.

Maturity

This period can begin at the age of 6-10 years. By human standards, this is approximately 40-55 years. The cat can still play sometimes, but more often he behaves calmly. People who are engaged in professional breeding of purebred cats remove animals that have reached this stage from mating.

According to other signs

By behavior. Little puppies love to be near their mother. They do not leave their mother, sleep, eat and play nearby, and puppies up to two weeks old cannot do anything on their own. Since a month they have been actively studying everything and walking around. From two months and older, the puppy is already running around the house with all his might and doing mischief here and there. By six months, small breeds begin puberty; large breeds mature by up to a year. Character is formed around 4-5 months.

Barking. The puppy begins to bark at 1.5-2 months of age. His voice is not so loud, but ringing and perky.

Reaction to sound. Puppies cannot fully hear until they are a month old. If the puppy does not respond to sound stimuli, either he is not 2 weeks to a month old, or he is deaf or has problems with his ears.

Rule "7 to 1"

Since the 1950s, a popular calculation of how old a dog was "in human years" has been that 1 dog year is the equivalent of 7 human years. Even though this formula has been around for a surprisingly long time, the reality isn't all that complicated. Kelly M. Cassidy, curator of the Charles R. Connor Museum at Washington State University, which collects research on longevity in dogs, says it's not entirely true that the seven-year rule is wrong. One explanation for how this formula came about is that the 7:1 ratio appears to be based on the statistic that humans once lived to about 70 years of age and dogs to about 10.

William Fortney, a veterinarian at Kansas State University, suggested to the Wall Street Journal that this calculation of a dog's age was simply a marketing ploy. In this way, veterinarians informed the public about how quickly dogs age compared to humans, mainly from a health point of view. This was a way to encourage owners to bring their pets in at least once a year for a general checkup.

Advances in medicine over the years have increased our life expectancy through improved diagnosis and treatment. Veterinary medicine has also made it possible for our pets to increase their life expectancy. When trying to figure out how old your pet is, the old school was 1 year in dog years equal to 7 years in human years. It looks like this kind of fuzzy scale is getting old. Our pets also reach maturity at a certain age, but because they have shorter lifespans, they age faster than us.

Calculating a pet's age gives an idea of ​​what their chronological age is. Finding out a dog's age in human years helps to see them at their actual age as they get older. Using the old formula "1 dog year equals 7 human years" is simple and easy to remember, but does not provide an accurate calculation when comparing a pet's age to a human's. For example, a dog reaching its first birthday can already reproduce, but a 7-year-old child still has a long stage to go through before he reaches this opportunity.

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