Determining the age of a kitten by its teeth?

Two to three months

As a rule, a two-month-old kitten is already able to cope with moving to a new family and getting to know a new environment. The baby can now be switched to natural products or dry food without significant harm to its health.

Vaccination

This age is largely a turning point due to the fact that it is between two and three months that the kitten undergoes its first vaccination.

Respectable breeders warn the buyer in advance whether the kitten requires any vaccinations and whether they have been given previously

Mandatory vaccinations include vaccinations against the following diseases:

• calcivirosis;
• panleukopenia (or plague);
• rhinotracheitis;
• rabies.

In addition to these diseases, the breeder can also include others at his discretion.

Vaccination schedule

As a rule, vaccination requires a certain age of the kitten and strict intervals between which the procedure must be repeated:

• the first “approach” is made at 8 weeks or two months. By this time, the kitten is strong enough to undergo vaccination without weakening. At this age, the kitten is vaccinated against all the diseases mentioned above, except for rabies;
• at four months the kitten goes through all the same vaccines again, now including rabies;
• at five months the same vaccinations are repeated as at four months.

Vaccination schedule for kittens from birth to one year

Subsequently, the pet will need to be vaccinated annually so that the body does not have time to lose the developed immunity.

Features of vaccination

A natural question may arise: “Why can’t I take the kitten to the veterinarian for vaccination and take it home?” Of course it's possible. Moreover, some owners do exactly this, buying a kitten at two months of age.

Vaccination temporarily weakens the kitten and makes it vulnerable to various diseases.

However, when taking such a step, it is necessary to be aware of the responsibility that the future owner of the animal places on his shoulders:

• firstly, there is a high probability that when moving, a kitten that has not yet been vaccinated may become infected with some disease that will be difficult for the fragile body to fight;
• secondly, the first vaccination is often not easy for a kitten. Cubs sometimes develop complications that quickly go away with the correct response from the owner. However, it can be difficult for an inexperienced person to react correctly and take the necessary actions in a timely manner.

Sometimes kittens may develop complications after vaccinations.

Of course, a two-month-old kitten will not die in your arms if you do not provide him with proper care during vaccination, but this period is very difficult for both the animal and its owner. But ultimately, assessing risks and setting your preferences is a personal matter for everyone.

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Eyes

They open during the first two weeks of a kitten's life. At first, all kittens have blue eyes. Subsequently, the color of the kitten's iris usually begins to change. The age of small kittens can be approximately determined by their eyes:

• If they are still closed, then the kitten is no more than a week old;
• If the eyes are open but still narrow, he is 2-3 weeks old;
• If the iris of the eye begins to change color, the kitten is 6-7 weeks old.

Litter box and cat age

If a young cat refuses to use the litter box, then there may be several constructive solutions to this problem, but what if an adult cat begins to refuse to defecate in the place designated for these needs? There may be several reasons for this:

• Stress. Older cats are very sensitive to changes in environment. Even changing the usual filler to another can create discomfort.
• A cat may begin to walk past the area designated for its needs due to problems with vision or smell.
• Kidney and liver disease, inflammation of the genitourinary tract often lead to untimely bowel movements, in which case the cat, in addition to health problems, may begin to experience a feeling of guilt and fear of punishment. It is better not to aggravate the situation and create the most comfortable conditions for the animal.

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Tough

The most accurate, although difficult at first glance, is the method of determining the age of a cat by the condition of its teeth. Representatives of the cat family grow all 30 teeth by the first year of life.

At the kitten's

Table for determining the age of a kitten by its teeth.

In an adult animal

In addition to changes in coat, as an animal ages, the musculoskeletal system also ages. As a rule, until six or seven years of age, and in some active pets even up to ten years of age, no obvious signs of skeletal changes are observed.

Owners often want to know how to find out the age of a cat based on the state of the musculoskeletal system.

Young kittens are characterized by uneven body development. The juvenile appearance of the animal usually boils down to excessively long limbs, large ears, and incorrect proportions, which give a lanky and awkward appearance.

With age, the animal acquires strong muscles, becomes proportional and meets the criteria of a particular breed.
In young people, muscle relief is observed. The pet's movements are filled with strength and grace. The gait is light and relaxed. The young cat easily overcomes obstacles and makes graceful jumps. After 7–8 years, the cat’s skeleton begins to undergo changes. Older pets experience sagging of the spine and protruding shoulder blades. The gait becomes not as easy as at a young age. The muscles become flabby and their volume decreases. Old animals are often thin.

Of course, it is impossible to determine the exact age of a pet based on criteria such as the condition of the coat and skeleton. But you can tell for sure whether the animal is young or old.

Factors affecting the condition of a kitten's teeth

When deciding to determine the age of a pet by its teeth, you need to take into account that they may be damaged or underdeveloped due to various circumstances. The main reasons for their poor condition are :

• Unbalanced diet . If a kitten lived on the street, in a shelter, or was simply abandoned for about a month, then the chance of problems arising for this reason is quite high.
• Diseases, both hereditary and acquired due to poor living conditions.
• Injuries . A curious baby sometimes gets injured and breaks his teeth while exploring the world around him. As a result, they may be chipped or completely missing.

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Therefore, you should carefully examine the kitten for problems with the oral cavity and only then examine its teeth to determine the age of the individual.

The age of the animal by human standards

To find out the age of a cat in relation to a human, they often use the method of multiplying the years of life by seven. But this method is not suitable for pets over 5 years old. Table of the age of an animal by human standards up to four years (on the left is the age of a cat, on the right is the age of a human):

Then 1 cat year is calculated as 4 human years:

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After 12 years, one year of a cat's life is equivalent to three human years.

Using these methods, you can most likely determine the age of a cat. This is necessary to ensure proper nutrition and care, as well as treatment.

Determining the age of an adult cat

Finding a way to find out how old an adult cat is is a difficult task. Teeth, mustache, eyes, and coat condition will help. But none of these methods can be called reliable due to possible diseases.

How to determine a cat's age by its teeth

You can try to determine the age of not only a kitten, but also an adult pet by looking at its teeth.

An adult cat is considered to be 1 year old. The condition of an adult cat’s teeth depends on nutrition, dental care, and characteristics of the breed. During the examination, the condition of the enamel, the presence of tartar, age-related loss, and the condition of the fangs and incisors are taken into account.

The age of a cat is mainly determined by wear of the enamel and deposits on the teeth. So, if there is some tartar on the teeth on the sides of the mouth, the cat is probably between 1 and 2 years old. The more deposits, the older the animal.

Average values ​​for determining the age of an adult cat:

Just like people, one cat's teeth may be in worse condition than another. Therefore, tartar, wear, and stains cannot be considered the only correct indicator to calculate age.

Determining the age of a cat by its eyes

To try to find out the age of a cat, you can look into its eyes.

However, this method will not work at home. You need a special device with which the veterinarian will assess the condition of the cat's eyes. Young cats have rich eye color, with a clear pattern and bright iris. In older animals, the lens is cloudy, the color of the iris is dull, and the inner edge of the iris may become wavy. This clouding is observed in cats that have reached 6-7 years of age. For animals, these changes are normal and do not cause pain.

You can independently examine the clouding of a cat’s eyes when he approaches his 10th birthday.

Mustache

A lush, long mustache begins to turn gray and droop with age. The older the pet, the more gray hair. However, this is noticeable mainly in cats of a single color.

How to determine the age of a cat

Tough

Teeth are an indicator of age (this method works best to determine the age of a kitten). Veterinarians most often use them to determine the age of the animal.

1. If you find only the first baby incisors in the kitten’s mouth, then he is from 2 to 4 weeks old.
2. If milk fangs are found next to the incisors, then you have a kitten 3-4 weeks old.
3. The presence of premolars indicates an age of 4-6 weeks.
4. If baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones, but the molars have not yet erupted, the kitten is 3 to 4 months old.
5. White, healthy permanent teeth indicate an age of 6 months to a year. There should be no tartar or signs of wear on them.
6. Slight yellowing of the enamel and worn middle incisors of the lower jaw indicate an age of 2 years.
7. The presence of tartar on all teeth and abrasion of the central incisors of the upper jaw - 3-5 years.
8. If the pigmentation of the enamel is disturbed, and the outer incisors of the upper jaw are erased, you have an animal of 6-7 years old.
9. Severe yellowing and wear of all teeth, as well as the absence of some teeth, are over 10 years of age.
10. Falling out fangs indicate advanced age - 15-18 years.

It should be noted that teeth are not an absolutely accurate indicator of the age of an animal. They may be in poor condition due to improper care of the animal, or, on the contrary, snow-white teeth may mislead you when calculating the age and only indicate impeccable care for the animal.

By sexual maturity

If your cat is trying to mark its territory, the urine has a specific strong odor - this indicates that the pet has reached sexual maturity (usually this occurs at the age of about 5-6 months).

Mature cats become very affectionate and emit loud meows. They go into estrus, calling for potential suitors, starting at 5 – 12 months of age.

By type of wool

Younger cats have soft, fine fur. With age, the coat becomes coarser, the color may lighten or, on the contrary, darken. Older animals, like people, experience gray hair. These can be individual white or gray hairs, as well as entire spots.

By the eyes

Juveniles usually have clean, clear and bright eyes. With age, you may notice a change in eye color or the presence of clouding, pigmentation disorders of the iris. If a cat is over 6 years old, its eye lenses become denser. This can be seen using an ophthalmoscope.

After reaching the age of 10, clouding of the iris is visible to the naked eye.

By body type

Age-related changes affect the entire body. Based on the state of the pet’s body, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• young animals are usually more muscular and lean due to their higher activity level;
• middle-aged cats are more well-fed and rounded, but at the same time the muscular corset is well felt;
• In older animals, the bones of the shoulder girdle protrude greatly, and they have flabby and wrinkled skin.

By behavior

The level of activity and daily routine (alternating sleep and wakefulness) can also tell owners the approximate age of the pet. You need to carefully watch your cat and kitty.

Behavioral signs indicating the age of a cat:

1. Young animals are usually more playful and inquisitive. They alternate periods of daytime sleep with long periods of wakefulness.
2. Middle-aged animals have not yet lost interest in the world around them, but behave more restrained and cautious.
3. Older cats are less active and spend most of their time sleeping. They often confuse day with night.
4. Fear, anxiety and aggressive behavior are most common in older animals.

Video how long do cats live:

How to determine the age of a kitten at home by appearance

If you are faced with the task of determining the age of a kitten by appearance, there is always room for error. Based on some signs, the age of kittens can be accurately determined, and the age of purebred animals is usually determined by standards (weight). At home, it is possible not only to measure and weigh a kitten, but also to observe its habits. If a child had to live on the street, he may well be stunted and older than he seems.

Depending on their breed and heredity, kittens develop at different rates. For example, Maine Coons remain one-year-old kittens. Outbred cats develop much faster, becoming sexually mature at six months of age.

Important! Below, you will find general signs that can help you navigate the age of a kitten. If you have any doubts or are trying to determine the age of the kitten for self-treatment with medications, it is better to contact your veterinarian for detailed advice.

Differences in eye color at an early age

At an early age, from birth to 3-4 weeks, kittens' eyes remain closed. As soon as babies open their eyes, their color varies from gray to blue. The irises of small kittens have a characteristic smoky color.

Note! Determining age by eye color is relevant if the kitten is no more than 1–2 months old.

If the kitten you are trying to age has clear coloring on its irises, it is clearly over 4 weeks old. You can confirm or refute your guesses by offering the kitten food. Kittens at the age of 1 month can eat on their own, but they do it extremely clumsily.

By the ears

Determining the age of kittens by their ears is important from birth to 2 months. Until 2 weeks of age, kittens’ ears are flattened and “glued” to the head. It is known that kittens are born not only blind, but also deaf. At one month of age, almost all kittens look lop-eared, since their ear cartilages are just beginning to straighten. By the age of two months, kittens' ears are completely straightened.

Note! In fold-eared kittens, immediately after birth, the ears seem to be glued to the head. The formation of ear set occurs at the age of 2–4 months.

Determining the age of a kitten up to a year by teeth

The approximate age of kittens up to a year can be determined by their teeth. If the kitten has no teeth or only front incisors, it is less than 1 month old. From 4 to 8 weeks, the kitten’s baby fangs and chewing teeth erupt. Then, up to 4 months, baby teeth grow. At the age of 4 months, the primary incisors are replaced by molars. Between 4 and 6 months, the baby's canines and chewing teeth change. A kitten is clearly over 7 months old if all its teeth are molars and all four molars are present.

How to determine the age of a kitten

The kitten can be weighed, but this figure will not provide accurate information about the baby’s age. Breed and heredity play a big role here. The difference may or may not be significant; much depends on individual developmental characteristics. At birth, kittens are 10-12 cm tall (without tail), weigh about 100 g and gain up to 10-20 g daily. After 3 months of age, weight gain varies from 350-400 g to 500 g monthly.

Determine the age of a kitten by weighing

Approximate data:

• first week of life - 100-150 g;
• at 2-3 weeks - 170-220 g;
• at 4-5 weeks - 220 −250 g;
• at 7-8 weeks - 650-900 g;
• at 3 months - 1500-1900 g;
• at 4 months - 2500-3000 g;
• at 5 months - 3500-4000 g;
• at 6 months - about 4500 g, this is practically an adult animal.

If a kitten weighs less than 100 g at one week of age, this may indicate malnutrition or a developing disease. At 4-5 weeks, if there is a large deviation from the norm, the kitten must be shown to a veterinarian.

How to tell how old a kitten is by its teeth

Based on the presence of teeth and their number, you can determine the age of your pet much more accurately. It is normal for kittens under two weeks to have no teeth. Usually by 2 months all the baby teeth appear, the first ones appearing - the incisors. By the 3rd week of life, they erupt, followed by fangs (by 3-4 weeks). Those located behind the fangs - premolars - will come out by the end of the 2nd month. The upper cat's jaw has 3 premolars on each side, the lower - 2.

How to determine the age of a kitten by the presence of teeth

In the third month of life, a healthy kitten already has 26 teeth: 4 canines, 10 premolars and 12 incisors. Baby teeth are replaced by molars closer to 3 months in the same order: first the incisors, then the canines, then the premolars. The molars that are set the farthest out are the last to emerge. They, like premolars, are used by animals to chew food. The process ends completely only by 7 months, when the pet has all 30 teeth.

Important! Many people try to count the number of teeth a kitten has by touch. This should not be done; only a visual inspection can provide complete information.

Is it possible to determine the age of a kitten by its eyes?

The age of only very small fluffies is determined by their eyes, but not teenagers. In newborns they are closed, opening during the first stages of life within 2 weeks. In the 3rd week, they may still be narrow and cloudy, although some babies open their eyes completely during this period. Almost all babies have a blue tint. This will not last long, very soon, at 6-7 weeks, the color of the iris will change. In some breeds, such as Thai or Siamese, it will remain blue for life.

How to find out the age of a kitten by ears

Unfortunately, the age of only tiny kittens can be determined by their ears. In newborns, the ears are pressed to the head, the ear canals are closed, and open at the beginning of the 2nd week. By the end of the 3rd period, the shape of the ears of ordinary kittens changes, as the auricles straighten. At 3.5 weeks, the kitten reacts well to external stimuli and listens to different sounds and rustles.

For your information! Excessive fearfulness at this age is a common occurrence.

Determining the age of a kitten

Table 1 “Periodization of development of kittens 0-2 months.”

At the age of 3-4 months, babies have a large rounded head with large eyes, rather large ears, disproportionate proportions of the limbs, soft baby fur and a milky bite. The deciduous fangs are very sharp, and the incisors are small, with gaps gradually appearing between them. Then the change from the milk bite to the permanent one begins.

Kittens can periodically lose their baby teeth up to six months, but most often at 16 weeks the teeth are already permanent. They are sharp, white, smooth, without signs of wear, chips or plaque. By four months, the cat's testes (testicles) have formed, and the cat may enter its first heat.

The table shows that it is more convenient to determine the age of a cat by its teeth than by any other signs. We take this sign as the basis for calculating the age of an adult cat. She should have 32 teeth, just like a human.

Tough

The most accurate, although difficult at first glance, is the method of determining the age of a cat by the condition of its teeth. Representatives of the cat family grow all 30 teeth by the first year of life.

At the kitten's

Table for determining the age of a kitten by its teeth.

In an adult animal

There is nothing complicated about how to determine the age of a cat by its teeth, knowing the signs of abrasion of the working surface at a certain period of life. After one year, the natural process of aging and destruction begins, the signs of which indicate a particular age of the pet:

Signs of abrasion on the central incisors, yellowing of the enamel is barely noticeable. There are no signs of destruction on the other teeth. This situation is typical for a 2-year-old animal.

Abrasion of incisors

The abrasion of the central incisors on the upper jaw is clearly visible. Initial wear processes on the fangs are noted. A yellowish coating is clearly visible on all teeth. This picture can be observed when examining the oral cavity of a cat aged 3 to 5 years.

There is abrasion of the central and middle incisors on the upper and lower jaws, in some cases the incisors have already fallen out. There is significant yellowing of all teeth. Cracks and tartar are observed. Such signs are typical for a pet aged 5 to 10 years.

By the time they reach 10-12 years of age, many cats experience loss of central incisors. The teeth are usually an intense yellow color.

The absence of all incisors and significant wear of the molars indicate that the pet has crossed the 15-year mark. If there are no fangs, then the cat is over 15 years old.

Before determining the age of a cat based on the condition of its teeth, you should know that the processes of abrasion of the working surface of the incisors largely depend on the living conditions and health of the pet. Proper bite, taking care of the oral cavity, and a balanced diet of minerals and elements slow down tooth loss.

We recommend reading about why cats have bad breath. You will learn about the causes of bad odor depending on age, getting rid of and preventing bad odor. And here is more information about what and how to feed your cat correctly.

Looking a gift cat in the mouth?

The most accurate way to determine a kitten's age is by its teeth. They are absent for up to 10 days, but within just a few days the front incisors begin to quickly appear. Usually, by the third week, a row of 6 primary incisors is ready on each pet's jaw. Around the same time, fangs appear.

Primary canines should finally erupt at the age of 1.5 months. These are long, sharp teeth that are located on the sides of the front incisors. Then small molars grow - premolars. As a result, the kitten should have 3 milk teeth on each side on the upper jaw and 2 on the lower jaw. The process of the appearance of baby teeth ends completely by 2 months.

Have you brought home a kitten, but don’t know how old it is? Start counting your teeth. If 26 of them are found in the oral cavity, then the foundling is at least 2 months old. However, there may be more teeth. Then the kitten is about 4 months old, and the “extra” teeth are molars, or molars. If milk teeth become mobile or fall out, then the replacement of milk teeth has begun. This means the pet is about 5 months old. This usually ends in teenage kittens at 6 months of age.

You need to know the age of the kitten literally up to a week, as this is important for choosing the right food option and caring for your pet. Therefore, you need to carefully study all the above criteria and compare them with the characteristics of the pet. The more matches are found, the more accurate the result will be.

How to find out the age of a cat

A cat is considered to become an adult when it is one year old, although growth can continue up to 1.5 or even 2 years. Much depends on the constitution. Long-haired and large-sized breeds are characterized by slow development. The natural aging process begins already in the 2nd year of life, so it is simply impossible to calculate the exact age of the patient.

A young and healthy cat, more than a year old

Approximate is determined by a combination of three characteristic features:

• according to the condition of the teeth in the jaw cavity;
• by the quality of the fur;
• according to the activity of the ward and the condition of the bone skeleton.

The age of a cat is determined primarily by the condition of its teeth.

How to determine a cat's age by its teeth

It is not difficult. Throughout its life, the animal eats, and at the same time abrasion, discoloration and wear of the working surface of the fangs occurs. The science of felinology does just that. Knowing at what stage of life certain changes occur, you can determine the approximate age:

• at 2 years there are weak signs of wear on the central incisors and a barely noticeable yellowish coating. There are no changes on other teeth;
• at the age of 3-5 years, the wear of the upper central incisors is clearly noticeable. There are signs of wear on the fangs. Almost all teeth are covered with yellow plaque;
• at the age of 5-10 years, both the central and middle incisors on both sides are worn out. You can observe their loss and cracks. The yellow coating is pronounced, accompanied by the presence of stone;
• at 10-12 years old, loss of central incisors occurs more often, and a distinct yellow plaque and tartar cover all teeth;
• when the animal reaches the 15-year mark, all its incisors are missing and the molars are severely worn out. Very old cats don't even have fangs.

When determining the age of a cat based on its teeth, it is necessary to take into account living conditions and health status. Proper nutrition, containing the required amount of trace elements, minerals and vitamins, can slow down tooth loss.

How to determine the age of a cat by its fur

The fur of an adult cat is not such a clear indicator of age as teeth, but it also undergoes changes. If kittens and teenage cats have a very soft and fluffy coat, then in an adult cat (cat), especially one that is older, it changes dramatically.

• At the age of up to 5 years, cats have thick and smooth fur with a distinctive shine and a pronounced pattern (in variegated pets).
• After 5-6 years of age, dullness and density of the fur and coarsening of some villi are observed. In motley cats, the pattern loses its clear outline.
• At the turn of 6-7 years, individual villi become gray.
• Starting from 10-12 years, changes are striking: the undercoat falls out and is poorly restored, the shine completely disappears, the fur noticeably thins and becomes coarser, and bald patches often appear near the ears.

Condition of the skin of Sphynx cats

In Sphynx cats, signs of aging are best determined by the quality and wear of teeth, since poor skin condition is not always an indicator of old age. Most often due to improper care. Old cats (10-12 years old) experience roughening of the skin and baldness. Due to poor functioning of the sebaceous glands, ulcers appear. Thermoregulation is disrupted, and increased sensitivity to cold occurs. The skeleton changes, problems with hearing and smell arise. The average life expectancy of cats of this breed is 12-13 years.

How to determine age by activity and skeletal condition

Age-related changes are also reflected in the cat’s musculoskeletal system, which affects its activity. Using these criteria, it is impossible to determine the exact age, but you can find out whether the cat is young or old.

• Pets from 2 to 5 years old are very active, have beautiful muscle definition, and their movements are graceful and precise. Excellent and tireless hunters, they easily overtake their prey. They love to play and frolic.
• The first characteristic signs of skeletal aging begin to appear at 7-8 years of age. This is noticeable by the sagging of the spine. Protruding shoulder blades indicate thinness.
• Older cats 13-15 years old are characterized by sagging muscles, which affects their volume. They move little, preferring to lie down or sleep. Burdened with illnesses, they are indifferent to games and are strongly attached to their owners, because they really need their care.

How kittens grow

The surest way to determine the age of a kitten is by observing it. There are certain periods of development of an organism that indicate the date of its birth. The older the pet, the more difficult it is to know exactly how old he is. The easiest way to do this is before 1 month, when the main stages of the formation of all animal body systems occur:

• the umbilical cord disappears;
• the baby begins to stand on his feet;
• body weight increases;
• eyes open, their color changes;
• teeth appear and grow.

When kittens' eyes open

It is useful to know at what age kittens open their eyes, not only to determine their date of birth, but also to monitor the proper development of the visual organs. They begin to open on the 7th day, more like slits, the eyelids do not open completely. After a couple of days, they look more like “beads” of pale blue or gray color. It is recommended to keep babies in semi-darkness during this period, because bright light will be an unnecessary irritant for them.

Their eyes open fully by 14 days from their date of birth. If this does not happen, then you will need help: wipe them with a weak solution of boric alcohol or strong brewed tea. After this, try to unstick your pet’s eyelids. It should be borne in mind that the speed at which the eyes open depends on how long the cat has been bearing them. For example, those pets that were carried for 68 days will open them faster. This process also occurs earlier in short-haired breeds.

When do kittens' eyes change color?

Another method to determine the age of a kitten is the color of their eyes. When they first open, they are grey-blue in all breeds. Over time, a process begins to occur that forms the natural color of the pet's iris. This happens at the end of 3 months of life. However, it should be borne in mind that there are specific breeds in which the eye color does not change, for example:

• British;
• Thai;
• Polynesian;
• Angora;
• Canadian Sphynxes;
• Siamese.

When do kittens get teeth?

One of the important indicators of a cat's development will be the growth of its teeth. In order to relatively accurately determine the age of the little hunter, they should be counted. It is important to consider that there is a period when kittens’ teeth change. There are such periods of growth:

1. 1-2 weeks – the baby’s mouth is still completely empty.
2. 2-3 weeks – the first teeth begin to appear.
3. After a month, you may notice the appearance of baby fangs.
4. After 1.5-2 premolars erupt.
5. By age 4, your pet should have 26 teeth.

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When does a kitten's teeth change?

Just like humans, cats' milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth (molars). If it is possible to determine that the change has already occurred, we can approximately say how old the animal is. You can do this as follows:

• if the hair loss started while you were there, then your pet is 3-4 months old;
• molars (the longest canines) indicate a complete change from milk teeth to molars, this happens by 7 months of the animal’s life.

If an adult cat falls into your hands, but you would like to determine how old she is, then you can also do this by looking at her teeth. Cats often get food that they have to chew, so over time the enamel begins to wear off. Veterinarians recommend paying attention to the lower jaw, where the decrease is most noticeable. There is a special schedule for changes in appearance, which can be used to determine the time of birth.

When does a kitten start walking?

The only way to accurately determine the age of a kitten is to take it to a veterinarian, but the approximate period of birth can be determined even by the behavior of the animal. Each stage of development of a cat’s body corresponds to certain characteristics of its movements, which indicate the time of birth. The following signs can be used to determine the age of the animal:

• up to 5 days – crawl on their tummy, do not stand on their paws, eyes are closed;
• up to 10 days – they begin to recognize odors, the activity of the front legs increases;
• 10-14 days - they open their eyes, they are already trying to stand on their paws, but they are still not able to hold them, their hind limbs are intensively developing.
• 14-20 days – the development of the musculoskeletal system occurs, the joints become stronger, the cubs already move independently, activity increases, the eyes become the “correct” color.

Litter box and cat age

If a young cat refuses to use the litter box, then there may be several constructive solutions to this problem, but what if an adult cat begins to refuse to defecate in the place designated for these needs? There may be several reasons for this:

• Stress. Older cats are very sensitive to changes in environment. Even changing the usual filler to another can create discomfort.
• A cat may begin to walk past the area designated for its needs due to problems with vision or smell.
• Kidney and liver disease, inflammation of the genitourinary tract often lead to untimely bowel movements, in which case the cat, in addition to health problems, may begin to experience a feeling of guilt and fear of punishment. It is better not to aggravate the situation and create the most comfortable conditions for the animal.

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Features of the cat's life cycle

A year in the life of a cat is a long and significant period. It is equivalent to approximately four to five human years. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why cats suddenly develop arthritis, lose their vision, or stop hearing well in a fairly short period of time. A popular and erroneous method, as we wrote above, is the “seven-year” method of converting cat years into human years: one cat year is not equivalent to our seven. This is due to the fact that in the first two years the cat matures faster than in the rest. So, in the first year the cat reaches the age of 15 human years, in the second - she is already a 24-year-old person. Each subsequent year is equal to approximately 4 years of ours. After some simple calculations, we get: the age of a five-year-old cat is 36 human years (see table below). It should also be taken into account that a cat who lives on the street ages much faster, perhaps even twice as fast, than a well-groomed indoor cat.

In the first year of life, a cat reaches the age of 15 human years

Age: how to determine how many months?

It is quite difficult for many people to determine the age of someone else’s child by appearance; they can be mistaken by a couple of years, what can we say about a kitten that is rapidly growing up.

To approximately determine the number of months that have passed since the birth of a furry animal, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the main stages of the formation of animals.

This information will help you find out your age with great accuracy. It is especially important to have this knowledge if you want to have a breeding animal in order to be guaranteed to acquire an individual of a certain age.

Based on the recommendations of the association of felinological clubs WCF, breeders try not to separate mother and kittens until they reach the age of 3 months. The emphasis is on the fact that during this time the young animal gains the required weight, is fully formed, and acquires social behavior skills.

But for an inexperienced buyer it is difficult to understand what is being offered to him: a mature animal or an overgrown animal, the price of which is much lower.

And buying a purebred animal abroad is another important point in which you need to know the age of the pet.

According to the rules governing the transportation of animals across the border, only a five-month-old animal can be legally brought into the country. If a seller offers to deliver a kitten from abroad whose appearance indicates that it is no more than three months old, there is obvious fraud.

Important! The ability to determine the age of a cat based on external signs will become a real defense against unscrupulous breeders.

It is believed that you can find out the approximate age of an animal:

• by weight and body size;
• by eye color;
• on the formation of teeth;
• by appearance;
• by behavior.

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A newborn kitten looks like a small worm, the size of its body with pronounced color fluctuates around ten centimeters, it does not hear, does not see and is completely helpless.

But after five days, the first changes begin: the kitten develops hearing, the animal begins to react to external stimuli.

The kitten matures rapidly; by the age of three months, the process of formation into an adult is almost complete.

Determination by weight and size

The weight of a newborn animal on average fluctuates within one hundred grams, but this value is relative and is influenced by a number of factors:

• the number of kittens in the litter: the greater it is, the less the weight of each animal;
• condition of the cat during pregnancy: proper nutrition has a positive effect on the weight of babies;
• individual characteristics of each pet: a healthy kitten is born larger;
• gender: at birth, weight does not depend on the sex of the animal, but later cats begin to gain weight a little faster.

After birth, babies begin to rapidly gain weight; during the first week, the seals should become 6-15 grams heavier for each day they live; after two weeks, the weight of the animals approximately doubles.

After birth, babies begin to rapidly gain weight

Subsequently, weight gain does not occur as intensively; by the age of five months, kittens should gain an average of 100 grams in seven days.

After six months, the animal’s growth practically ends, and weight gain begins to occur only due to further muscle formation and strengthening of the skeleton.

An adult is considered an animal that has gone through puberty, which occurs (depending on the breed) at one and a half to two years.

The approximate ratio of height and weight is given in the table:

Determining age based on the animal’s body weight is quite difficult: all the values ​​​​given in various tables have a lot of differences. Based on the data from the tables, only one thing can be determined with accuracy - whether the pet is healthy and whether it needs additional feeding.

For the same reasons, it is difficult to accurately determine the age of a pet based on its size. Even a number of standards established for purebred cats allow for a wide range of values ​​in the size of animals, let alone mongrel kittens.

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Without knowing in advance what size a small predator picked up on the street is going to grow to, it is difficult to understand how many months old it is at the moment.

Naturally, kittens of miniature and large breeds can only be compared at birth; newborn babies are approximately the same in size. Then the differences begin - large cats grow much faster than individuals of miniature breeds, the difference in size becomes especially noticeable after 4 weeks

The weight and size of a pet are far from the most accurate parameters for determining age.

Identification by eyes

All kittens are born blind.

The eyes of a small predator are a fairly accurate marker for determining the number of days lived:

• if the baby's eyes are tightly closed, he is not even a week old;
• if slits appear on the eyes, he is about 7-9 days old;
• If they open completely, the cat is 2 weeks old.

After three weeks, changes in the color of the iris begin, because initially the eyes of all kittens are a dull blue color; the eyes acquire a permanent color at the end of the second month of life.

Determination by teeth

A newborn baby has no teeth in its mouth, therefore, by the fangs and incisors that appear in its small mouth, you can find out the age of the animal.

A newborn baby has no teeth in its mouth

In furry predators, teeth are formed in 2 stages: first, milk teeth are cut, later they are replaced by molars (permanent) teeth.

Determination by teeth occurs according to the following scheme:

• In the first 14 days, teeth on the jaws are completely absent.
• By the end of the third week, the front incisors appear.
• By the end of the fourth week, the two upper and two lower canines begin to grow.
• At about seven weeks of age, the little predator grows molars (the far side teeth) and premolars (located between the fangs and molars).
• By eight weeks, the animal can count 26 teeth (deciduous).
• By six months, baby teeth begin to change into permanent ones.
• By one year, an adult cat has a full set of teeth (30 pieces).

Determining the age limit based on your pet's teeth is the most accurate way.

According to the condition of the coat and skeleton

Another way to find out when a cat was born is to evaluate the condition of the fur. In small kittens, the undercoat is thicker to the touch; down hairs predominate in the fur, rather than guard hairs. The coarse, straight guard hairs are fully grown at around six to seven months.

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The proportions of the small predator also indicate its age. Up to three months, kittens look disproportionate: they have a huge head, thin paws, and an impressive belly. But closer to the age of three months, the clumsy creature turns into a graceful beast with a well-formed skeleton and noticeable muscles.

Animal ears are another marker. A baby who has recently been born has soft ears, located on the sides of the head and almost pressed close to it.

The ear begins to form from the middle of the second week: the auricle gradually opens, and the ear takes the right place on the head of the predator. After six weeks, the ears become hard to the touch, but only by the age of three months are they finally formed, losing their childish roundness.

Behavior and age

By observing the behavior of a furry fidget, you can roughly calculate its age. At the end of the second week, the baby begins to take his first steps on unruly paws.

At one month of age, the kitten begins to run, jump, and climb on various vertical surfaces.

The two-month-old animal begins to instinctively attack all moving objects, “hunting” them.

Determination method by puberty

The onset of puberty has a dramatic effect on your pet's behavior.

The first signs are noticeable already at the age of five months: the cat begins to meow loudly and tries to get out of the apartment.

By seven months, the animal may become aggressive, begin to attack its owners, and bite them, which indicates that the animal has acquired sexual maturity.

Who can confirm our assumptions?

If you are not an expert, or at least have not had cats in your home before, it is very important to verify your assumptions about the age of your pet. There are two ways out:

There are two ways out:

Contact the breeder

The former owner or breeder has been watching your new friend since his birth.

Therefore, the first owner will probably advise you accurately at the age of the kitten.

However, what to do if your pet is found on the street?

Let's go to the veterinarian

Of course, it is an experienced specialist, and especially a specialist in small animals, who can easily but accurately tell you the age period of a young four-legged pet.

In addition, even if you have dealt with cats before, the help of a veterinarian can never be superfluous.

Sexual characteristics appear in cats from birth.

Determining the age of a cat by the condition of its teeth

A particularly effective method for determining a cat’s age is by looking at its teeth in the first months of their life, since the replacement of baby teeth with molars follows a fairly strict schedule. Subsequent changes in the condition of the enamel and the strength of the teeth themselves also obey certain rules, but have their exceptions to the rules.

Despite their strength, without proper care, cat fangs quickly become coated with plaque.

The fact is that in addition to the number of years spent in the cat’s jaw, the condition of the teeth is also influenced by such factors as:

• Lifestyle.
  The teeth of a well-groomed domestic cat that does not neglect visiting the dentist will be strikingly different from the teeth of a stray cat of the same age. Care allows both human and cat teeth to maintain a neat appearance and high functionality for a long time; The need to grind teeth on unsuitable materials leads to their rapid wear
• Heredity. It is known that all breeds have certain weaknesses. Some breeds have jaw abnormalities and simply weak teeth, which are passed on from generation to generation until your pet gets it. In this case, the condition of the teeth may even age him and not provide correct information about his age.

The “life path” that each cat’s teeth go through is presented in the table below.

Table 1. Age-related changes in cat teeth

Learn more about maintaining dental health

As you can see, the age of a cat has a significant impact on the condition of its teeth. The lifestyle an animal can afford depends on the health of its teeth. Unfortunately, it is rare that an owner is puzzled by the condition of his pet’s teeth, wanting to choose the right type of food for him. Meanwhile, it is enough for the pet owner to show it to a specialist from time to time and consult about the condition of the animal’s teeth in order to avoid their premature wear.

The condition of the oral cavity influences the choice of the appropriate type of food

To maintain strong teeth and a clean mouth, special “dragées” may be prescribed, which must be chewed thoroughly. In some cases, owners are advised to use special toothpaste to prevent caries and stones.

Timely removal of tartar will allow your pet to keep its teeth.

Baby teeth

Kittens have no teeth until they are two weeks old. All baby teeth should appear before eight weeks.

• The first of the baby teeth to emerge are the incisors. As a rule, this occurs by the third week;
• Fangs appear at 3–4 weeks;
• Premolars, that is, teeth located after the canines, appear at 1–2 months. On the upper jaw, cats should have three premolars on each side, on the lower jaw - two.

At two months, a kitten should have 26 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 10 premolars.

Why is it important to know your pet's age?

The full development of a kitten is possible only in good conditions, when it is not only loved and protected, but also properly fed and treated if necessary. Some may have a question: what does the age of the kitten have to do with it? It's simple. At each stage of its development, it must receive different nutrition and this is the minimum. Age is also very important when prescribing treatment for a pet. And it is much easier to understand his character and behavior, knowing the psycho-emotional characteristics of each stage of growing up. The establishment of a strong friendly connection with the kitten directly depends on understanding. It turns out that there are many reasons for determining the age of a pet, and all of them are important for its normal life.

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How to determine the age of a kitten by external signs

Photo - The ratio of the age of a cat and a person

We all know that at different stages of growing up, absolutely all animals change the set of external characteristics. The color of fur, eyes, muscles, etc. may change.

Of course, a newborn kitten is the easiest to identify. They crawl poorly and do not even have baby teeth. In addition, kittens up to a week old still have a piece of dried umbilical cord on their tummy.

Babies aged 2 to 3 weeks have a small body and a disproportionately large head. At the same time, their ears are still firmly pressed to the head, their eyes are closed. During this period, kittens take tentative first steps in understanding the world around them, trying to rise on their paws and raise their heads.

In a one-month-old kitten, the body acquires relatively proportional shapes, but the ears are still quite small in relation to the head. When a kitten reaches one and a half months, its eyes change color: up to this age, all kittens have the same blue tint of the eyes, which changes to a constant color at 1.5 months.

By the age of two months, the kitten’s body becomes long, more similar to an adult, and its legs also lengthen and become comparable to the body. After another couple of months, muscles begin to actively develop, which is why the baby’s body looks stocky.

At six months, a small cat is quite active, he is always busy with something, strives to play and communicate with people or other animals around him. The kitten’s body takes on clear and proportional shapes, its paws become stronger, and the baby is already actively running.

An unconditional indicator indicating the age of a kitten is its weight, since there are veterinary weight standards for kittens of any age.

Of course, external indicators do not always help to correctly determine how old your cat is. Sometimes a kitten’s weight, height and development are influenced by various external factors: prolonged fasting or dehydration, diarrhea and other intestinal disorders, frostbite, street injuries, etc. Therefore, if you brought this child from the street, first of all, carefully inspect it for any damage.