How to Tell the Age of a Cat

The age of a cat can be determined by looking at its teeth, weight, fur, and eyes. First, the teeth can be judged by their wear, color, and appearance. Elderly cats have yellower teeth and may have defects, while kitten teeth are whiter. Secondly, kittens are noticeably lighter and smaller in size compared to adult cats, who are larger. Additionally, kitten fur is thicker and shinier than that of elderly cats, which can be rough and unkempt. Lastly, the eyes of kittens appear very clear and transparent, while those of elderly cats become cloudy.

Determining Age Through Teeth

The most effective way to tell a cat's age is by looking at the number and condition of its teeth.

First, tooth count. Kittens start growing teeth around 2 weeks old, having 26 teeth at around 4 months old. At this stage, they don't have molars. When the cat is 6 months old or older, it will grow 4 molars, bringing the total tooth count to 30.

Second, tooth condition. If the cat's teeth are milk-white and transparent, it is likely a kitten. A cat's teeth begin to show wear and tartar buildup starting at 1 year old, becoming more severe with age.

Note: It is easy to determine a kitten's age based on its teeth, but adult cats have less noticeable tooth changes, making it harder to guess their age based on teeth.

Determining Age Through Weight

When a kitten is born, it weighs around 100-120g. At 1-2 weeks old, it weighs 170-230g, 2-3 weeks old it weighs 300-350g, 3-4 weeks it weighs 350-400g, and from 4 weeks to 2 months it weighs 400-700g. At 3 months, it weighs 2-4 pounds. Adult cats have standard weights: small breeds weigh 5-10 pounds, medium breeds weigh 8-13 pounds, and large breeds weigh 10-25 pounds.

However, a cat's specific weight varies depending on its breed, gender, and individual factors. Generally, male cats are heavier and grow faster than female cats.

Determining Age Through Fur

You can judge whether a cat is a youngster or an elder by looking at its fur and skin fat thickness.

First, observe the fur. Young cats usually have smooth, shiny fur that feels very soft to the touch. Elderly cats have coarser, duller fur and may even grow gray or white strands. This is especially noticeable in black cats, who usually start to fade around 12-14 years old. Secondly, young cats have thicker subcutaneous fat, while elderly cats have thinner fat.

Determining Age Through Eyes

About 2 weeks after birth, a kitten's eyes slowly open. If the cat's eyes are still closed, it is less than 2 weeks old. If the eyes are open and the ears are standing up, with small teeth, the cat is around 1 month old. Additionally, young cats have clear, transparent eyes, while older cats begin to look spiritless and cloudy.