There are many special things about raising cats, including the age of the feline. Your veterinarian is your best friend in determining your cat's current age and in planning a care plan to ensure optimal quality and longevity of life. A thorough veterinary examination of the cat's entire body usually helps determine the cat's approximate age; however, veterinarians tend to pay special attention to some body parts when trying to estimate a cat's age.

How to determine a cat’s age?

1. Cat teeth

A cat's baby teeth first appear between 2 and 4 weeks of age, making the teeth an excellent determinant of a kitten's age. 1Their permanent teeth develop above the baby teeth, and by the time kittens are 3-4 months old, the permanent teeth will begin to replace the baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth). Typically, all adult teeth are in place by 6 months of age, and growth is no longer useful in determining a cat's age.

In older cats, the amount of stain or tartar content on the cat's teeth is also an indicator of age. However, since dental cleaning products for pets are readily available, it depends on the efforts of cat caregivers in providing a dental care plan. Therefore, teeth are a good indicator of a cat or kitten's approximate age, but they are not foolproof.

2. Cats are sexually mature

Male cats reach sexual maturity around 5 months. Signs of puberty include localized spraying of urine on the testicles, which are more prominent. A female cat's first estrous cycle occurs between 5 and 12 months, although day length and body weight also play a role in the timing of the queen's first estrous cycle. A female cat will tell you that she is going through distinct heat and vocalizations. Female cats can become pregnant and give birth to their first litter when they are 7.1/2 months old. However, many veterinarians are now practicing early spay and neuter breeding. Not only does this help prevent early pregnancy, which can be more difficult for both mother and kittens, but the surgery itself is said to be easier on young cats. 2This can make determining a cat’s age trickier.

3. Cat coat

A kitten's fur, or hair, is baby-soft, but as a cat ages, its coat becomes thicker and rougher. It may also change color, becoming darker or lighter in shade. As a cat reaches senior status, it may even develop a patch of white or gray hair, as humans do when they age. While this does not guarantee age, the coat helps the veterinarian determine the cat's age. Additionally, how well a cat is groomed itself can help illustrate how old the cat is. Cats are very clean animals, however, as a cat ages, or if dental problems or arthritis makes it sore, it canCan start relaxing and grooming.

4. Cat eyes

Healthy kittens and cats during their maintenance period have very clear and bright eyes with no signs of tearing or excretion. However, cats may develop cloudy eyes, including tearing and/or excretion, later in life. This condition usually doesn't occur until the cat is at least 10 years old.