How old is a cat in human years, by breed? The answer depends on size, not on the breed name — but the breed tells you the size, and the size tells you the pace of ageing. This guide is the cat age chart by breed: the human-age equivalents at ages 5 and 10 for ten well-known breeds, with their typical weight and lifespan, so you can find your cat's breed — or the breed nearest its size — and read across. Every figure is an estimate, using the feline age rule. The cat age calculator works out the figure for your cat's exact age and size.
The short version is: a 1-year-old cat is about 15 in human years, a 2-year-old is about 24, and after that a cat adds about 4 human years per year. Find your cat's breed in the table below, or the breed nearest its size, and read across to ages 5 and 10. The cat age chart by size guide gives the same figures by size rather than by breed, and the how old is my cat in human years guide gives the model with worked examples.
Cat age chart by breed
The table below gives the human-age equivalents at ages 5 and 10 for ten well-known cat breeds, using the feline age rule. Weight and lifespan are the typical ranges for each breed from the published breed-standard data on this site.
| Breed | Size | Typical adult weight | Typical lifespan | Human years at age 5 | Human years at age 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persian | Medium | 3–6 kg | 12–17 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Maine Coon | Large | 6–11 kg | 10–13 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Siamese | Medium | 3–5 kg | 12–15 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Bengal | Medium | 4–7 kg | 12–16 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Ragdoll | Large | 5–9 kg | 12–17 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| British Shorthair | Medium | 4–8 kg | 12–17 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Sphynx | Medium | 3–5 kg | 13–15 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Abyssinian | Medium | 3–5 kg | 12–15 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Scottish Fold | Medium | 3–6 kg | 11–14 years | About 36 | About 56 |
| Russian Blue | Medium | 3–5 kg | 15–20 years | About 36 | About 56 |
Read the table from left to right and the pattern is clear: at ages 5 and 10, every breed is about the same in human years — about 36 at age 5 and about 56 at age 10 — because cats age at about the same pace whatever their size. What differs between breeds is lifespan: a large cat typically lives 10 to 14 years, while a small or medium cat typically lives 12 to 16 years. The cat age calculator guide gives the full chart for every age.
The model behind the chart
The rule most veterinarians use for cats is the feline age rule: the first year of a cat’s life equals about 15 human years, the second year brings the total to about 24 human years, and after that you add about 4 human years per cat year. That rule is a rule of thumb, not a precise conversion — individual cats vary — but it is the one most vets use.
The feline rule does not change by size, which is why the cat chart has one column for every breed. A small cat and a large cat age at about the same pace, while a small dog and a large dog age at very different paces. Use the stage, not the number, to make decisions about food, exercise, and vet visits.
Life stages for cats
Cats move through three broad life stages, and the boundaries depend on age:
Puppy or kitten (birth to about 12–18 months). Growth is rapid, especially in the first year. Feed a puppy or kitten food, feed little and often, and keep exercise gentle while joints are still developing.
Adult (about 18 months to senior age). Growth is finished and weight should be stable. This is the longest stage and the easiest to manage: consistent food, daily exercise suited to the breed, and a vet check once a year.
Senior (from about 11 years for a cat). The last quarter or so of a typical lifespan. Energy often drops, joints stiffen, and senses dull. Vet checks should move to twice a year, food may need adjusting, and exercise should stay regular but gentler.
Those boundaries are approximate. A cat that is lean, active, and healthy may act like an adult well past its senior boundary, while one with a health problem may need senior care earlier. The when is a cat considered a senior guide gives the thresholds by size, and the senior cat diet guide covers feeding in the senior years.
How to use the chart for your cat
Find your cat's breed in the table, or the breed nearest its size, and read across to ages 5 and 10. If your cat is a crossbreed or a mix, use the size rather than the breed: a small cat is typically 2 to 4 kg, a medium cat 3 to 6 kg, and a large cat 5 to 11 kg. The average cat weight by breed size guide gives the full size tables.
Use the chart to plan care, not to worry: a cat that is a puppy or kitten needs puppy or kitten food and gentle exercise, an adult needs measured food and daily exercise, and a senior needs twice-yearly vet checks and gentler exercise. The number in the chart is a guide to the stage, not a prescription. The dog breeds hub and the cat breeds hub list every breed on this site by size and group, and each breed has its own age, food, and lifespan guide.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is the 'multiply by seven' rule: multiplying by seven gives 35 human years for a 5-year-old cat, against about 36 on the feline rule. The second mistake is using the dog model for a cat, or the cat rule for a dog. The third is taking the number too literally: the models give an estimate of the stage of life, not an exact conversion, and two cats of the same age can be in very different shape.
The fourth mistake is judging a breed by its name rather than its size: a breed's age in human years is set by its size, not by its name, so a large breed of any name ages faster than a small breed of any name. The how to calculate cat age guide gives the step-by-step method, and the cat lifespan calculator puts age in the context of lifespan.
For related reading, see the cat age calculator, the cat age calculator guide, the cat age chart by size guide, the how old is my cat in human years guide, the cat breeds hub, the when is a cat considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
How old is a Persian in human years?
A Persian is about 15 in human years at age 1, about 24 at age 2, about 36 at age 5, and about 56 at age 10. Find your cat's breed in the table above, or the breed nearest its size, and read across.
How old is a 5-year-old cat in human years?
It depends on size for dogs and not for cats: a 5-year-old cat of any size is about 36 in human years. Use the table above for your cat's breed or size.
How old is a 10-year-old cat in human years?
A 10-year-old cat of any size is about 56 in human years.
Is the 'multiply by 7' rule right?
No. Multiplying by seven gives 35 human years for a 5-year-old cat, against about 36 on the feline rule — and it is wrong in the other direction for puppies and kittens, where a 1-year-old cat is already about 15 in human years, not 7.
When is a cat considered a senior?
A cat is usually considered a senior from about 11 years, and geriatric from 15. Those are rough guides, and your vet may move the boundary earlier or later depending on your individual cat's health.
My cat is a crossbreed — which row do I use?
Use the size rather than the breed: a small cat is typically 2 to 4 kg, a medium cat 3 to 6 kg, and a large cat 5 to 11 kg. The average weight by breed size guide gives the full size tables.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.