Cat life stages
| Life stage | Cat's age | About this in human years |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten | birth to 1 year | up to 15 |
| Young adult | 1 to 6 years | 15 to 40 |
| Mature adult | 7 to 10 years | 44 to 56 |
| Senior | over 10 years | 60 and older |
Life stages from the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines; an end-of-life stage can come at any age. Human years from our cat age calculator: about 24 at age two, plus 4 for each year after.
The guidelines stress that these ages are a starting point, not a rule. Some cats over 10 are in excellent shape and can be treated like mature adults; others show signs of aging earlier. Watching your own cat matters more than the number.
How old is my cat in human years?
| Cat's age | Human years | Life stage |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | 56 | Mature adult |
| 11 years | 60 | Senior |
| 12 years | 64 | Senior |
| 13 years | 68 | Senior |
| 14 years | 72 | Senior |
| 15 years | 76 | Senior |
| 16 years | 80 | Senior |
| 17 years | 84 | Senior |
| 18 years | 88 | Senior |
| 20 years | 96 | Senior |
Signs of aging to watch for
Cats hide discomfort well, and many changes that owners put down to "just getting old" have a medical cause. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines ask vets to look out for these changes in mature and senior cats:
- Jumping and climbing less: no longer using the counter or a favorite window seat. Arthritis is very common in cats; studies estimate that 40 to 92% of cats show signs of degenerative joint disease, more often and more severely with age.
- Drinking and urinating more: can point to kidney disease, diabetes or an overactive thyroid.
- Appetite or weight changes: eating more or less, weight loss, or losing muscle. Being underweight is common in senior cats.
- Vomiting, hairballs or diarrhea that are new or more frequent.
- Litter box changes: going outside the box can point to urinary problems, constipation, diabetes, pain or difficulty climbing in.
- Crying at night, waking at night: may come from hearing or vision loss, cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia), pain, an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure.
- Grooming changes: grooming less can signal illness or joint pain; grooming much more can signal a skin or hormonal problem.
Note any change and when it started, and tell your vet. Several conditions often occur together in older cats.
Vet checks for senior cats
The AAHA/AAFP guidelines recommend that senior cats see the vet at least every 6 months, and more often if they have a chronic condition. For healthy cats over 10, these tests are recommended at least once a year, ideally every 6 months:
| Test | What it looks for |
|---|---|
| Complete blood count | Anemia, infection, inflammation |
| Blood chemistry panel | Kidney and liver values, blood sugar, electrolytes |
| SDMA and other kidney markers | Early kidney disease |
| Urinalysis | Urine concentration, sugar, protein, infection |
| Thyroid (T4) | Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) |
| Blood pressure | High blood pressure, which can damage eyes, kidneys and heart |
Regular results create a baseline, so your vet can spot a slow rise in kidney values, thyroid level or blood pressure before your cat shows signs.
Caring for a senior cat at home
- Make life easier to reach: put food, water and a litter box closer to where your cat rests, use a box with a low entry, and add steps or a ramp to favorite high spots.
- Warm, soft resting places: older cats often lose muscle and benefit from comfortable, warm beds.
- Encourage drinking: fresh water in several places, a water fountain or wide bowls, and wet food all help a cat take in more water.
- Feed for muscle: healthy senior cats should not be put on a low-protein diet. If a diet change is needed, for example a prescription kidney diet, offer the new food in a separate bowl next to the old one and let your cat switch at its own pace.
- Weigh monthly: a kitchen or baby scale catches slow weight loss early.
- Keep the peace: an older cat may have little patience for a new kitten or a pushy housemate; give it places to retreat.
Frequently asked questions
At what age is a cat considered senior?
The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines call cats seniors once they are over 10 years old. Cats from 7 to 10 years are mature adults. The guidelines note that these ages are a guide: a fit 11-year-old may still be treated like a mature adult.
How old is a 10-year-old cat in human years?
About 56. A cat is about 24 in human years at age two, and each year after that adds about four. An 11-year-old cat, the first full year of the senior stage, is about 60, and a 15-year-old about 76.
How often should a senior cat see the vet?
At least every 6 months, and more often if the cat has a chronic condition, according to the AAHA/AAFP guidelines. Blood tests, a urine test, a thyroid (T4) test and a blood pressure check are recommended at least yearly, ideally every 6 months.
What are signs of aging in cats?
Jumping or climbing less, changes in grooming, drinking and urinating more, changes in appetite or weight, using the litter box less reliably, and crying at night. Many of these can be caused by treatable illness such as arthritis, kidney disease or an overactive thyroid, so tell your vet about any change.
Should senior cats eat less protein?
Healthy senior cats should not be protein restricted, according to the AAHA/AAFP guidelines; many older cats actually need more protein to keep their muscle. Cats with kidney disease may benefit from a prescription kidney diet. Ask your vet before changing your cat's food.
Sources
- 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines (American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners): life stage definitions, exam frequency, recommended diagnostics, history and physical exam focus, nutrition and behavior of mature adult and senior cats.
This page is for general information only and does not replace a veterinarian. Every cat ages differently; talk to your vet about any change in your cat's health or behavior. Last updated: October 2026.