Happy cat owners can hope to share their life with these little companions for about fifteen years. Some cats even reach 20 years of age. As with human beings, the life of cats is marked by different stages. What stage of life is your cat in and what does it mean?

Tradition has it that a “dog year” corresponds to seven “human years”. This is not really correct and does not correspond to a biological reality. In cats, there is no real equivalence either. Indeed, cats age at their own pace and go through different phases. 

Thus, kittens reach adulthood around 1 year. A cat’s weight at this age is considered to be its healthy weight for the rest of its life, as it generally has not had time to develop enough adipose tissue (“fat”) to be overweight. . The growth of cats is rapid between 3 and 6 months. After 6 months, most of the growth is complete, but the kittens maintain a playful and playful behavior and they will continue to build muscle mass.

Adulthood begins beyond one year. Young adults, between 1 and 3 years old, are generally very dynamic, although this depends heavily on the temperament of the cat. The closer he gets to 7 or 8 years old, the more he settles down. From the age of 7, cats are generally considered to have reached a certain maturity. They do not become seniors until the age of 11, on average. 

Cats over the age of 14 or 15 are really old cats, with very special needs. These ages are only a general trend in domestic cats. Some purebred cats, however, have a shorter life expectancy.

Before 3 months, kittens are in a period similar to childhood. During this period, their immune system is not yet as competent as that of an adult and this makes them very susceptible to infections. Like children, they are also very malleable from a behavioral point of view. It is essential to offer them a stimulating environment during this period of socialization, by making them meet other animals (cats and other species), different human beings (children, adults, etc.) and by confronting them with very diverse situations. . Indeed, they will thus demonstrate a greater capacity for adaptation in adulthood and will therefore be less prompt to manifest reactions linked to excessive stress (aggressiveness, anxiety, etc.). It is also the age to acquire cleanliness and to learn self-controls (not to scratch or bite for play, in particular).

Growth then continues for about 6 months. The following months are like what could be a phase of adolescence. The cat gains confidence and tests its limits. During all growth, food is important. Junior or “kitten” foods provide an important caloric and protein intake, with different calcium and phosphorus contents from adult foods, necessary for harmonious bone growth. At around 5-6 months, growth slows down. The cat will then produce muscle mass and then, lastly, adipose tissue, that is to say fat. If your cat has a sedentary lifestyle, has a voracious appetite, or is spayed, it is very important to make a transition to spayed adult food. This helps control calorie intake to combat excessive weight gain.

At the age of 7-8 years, cats become more at risk of developing certain diseases. The likelihood of developing hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease (which affects about 30% of cats), or diabetes increases. In addition, the cat’s physical activity generally becomes less intense, which can lead to weight gain. Overweight is a real problem that predisposes to various diseases that can be fatal (diabetes mellitus, hepatic lipidosis, etc.). In addition, it is much easier to prevent weight gain than to lose weight in a cat. Thus, it is advisable to monitor the weight and adapt the diet from 7-8 years.

Over 10 or 11 years old, cats are considered seniors. All pathologies linked to aging are then likely to occur. This may include:

• locomotor disorders with osteoarthritis in particular, extremely frequent;
• hormonal diseases;
• chronic kidney disease;
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease;
• chronic bronchitis;
• etc. 

The immune system is also less efficient and makes the cat more vulnerable to infections (urinary tract infections, bronchopneumonia, etc.).

In addition, as we age, the digestive system becomes less efficient. The protein requirement increases and their assimilation decreases. It is therefore essential to provide an appropriate diet, with a controlled content of high quality proteins in order to prevent muscle wasting. Periodontal disease and gingivostomatitis are also very common in older cats. This can cause pain and discomfort when gripping food. Dental treatment should be performed at the veterinarian if necessary. A good quality wet diet can also be offered to stimulate appetite.

In conclusion, your cat will go through different phases in his life and it is up to you to support him as well as possible. Education and socialization will be paramount in the first year. In adulthood, care must be taken to overweight, which is all the more common in indoor or sterilized cats. Finally, at the approach of 10 years, your cat must be the subject of increased surveillance: appetite, stools and urine must be observed on a regular basis. More frequent follow-up with the veterinarian can also be organized to diagnose possible diseases as early as possible and optimize their management.