When can a kitten leave their mother?

The first few weeks of a cat’s life are spent fully dependent on their mother: kittens are blind until the age of 2 to 3 weeks and they need to be nursed by their mother for at least the first three weeks of their life. Kittens can safely leave their mother at the age of 8 weeks; at which time they should be able to eat on their own and use the litter box. Still, it’s recommended to leave a kitten with their mother until 12 to 14 weeks of age, when the little ones will have developed better social skills.

When is my kitten no longer a kitten?

Young cats are considered kittens until they’re 1 year old, and they will reach adulthood by the age of 2, which is the equivalent of 25 years for a human. Did you however know that cats are capable of reproducing when they’re only 4 months old? This is why it is so important to discuss the spaying/neutering procedure with your vet when your kitten is still young.

How old is my cat in human years?

We already revealed that at the age of 2, your cat is approximately 25 years old in human years. After that, a good rule of thumb is that each subsequent year for a cat will count as 5 years for a human. However, there is a lot of discussion about these calculation methods as cats age differently than humans. So, a watertight cat years-human years equation doesn’t really exist.

When is my cat a senior?

There is some debate as to when you can start to consider your cat senior. Some experts put the boundary at 10 years of age (the equivalent of 65 years old in human years), but don’t expect your cat to turn into a grumpy old man all of a sudden. As with humans, ageing is a gradual process, and some cats will live healthier and longer lives than others.

How old will my cat get?

The average life span of a domestic, indoor cat is around 12 years, but it’s not uncommon for cats to live much longer than this. The oldest cat on record even reached the age of 38! This longer lifespan is due to advances in veterinary science, but also to improvements in cat care and a better understanding of the basic needs of your feline companion. If you are wondering about the special needs of an older cat, read our blog about senior cat care.