Pet Talk
By Frances Goodman
So, How Old is My Cat
in Human Years, Really?
Question: When is a cat a senior? Also, how do you compare a cat’s age to human years? Is it seven human years to every cat year, like with dogs? Thanks.
Answer: Many cats begin to have age-related physical changes between seven and 10 years of age, and most by the time they are 12.
However, the theory that every “cat year” is worth seven “human years” is not entirely accurate
According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, here’s the formula:
A one-year-old cat is physiologically similar to a 16-year-old human;
A two-year-old cat is like a person of 21.
For every year after that, each cat-year is worth about four human years.
Using this formula, a 10-year-old cat is comparable in age to a 53-year-old person;
A 12-year-old cat is comparable to a 61-year-old person, and a 15-year-old cat to a 73-year-old human.
As cats grow older, they often become less agile. Because of this, it may be necessary to relocate litter boxes and make them more convenient for elderly cats, to prevent elimination in improper places.
Providing a litter box with low sides or constructing an access ramp around the box may help older cats gain entry to their potty area more easily.
Thanks for your question.
Question: I have two dogs and a cat. I would like to get a bird, too, but don’t know if they would get along with each other. Could they be compatible? Signed, B. L.
Answer: Bringing any small pet into a household with larger pets who might view it as prey can be stressful for everyone, including you.
Your pleasure in having the bird can be outweighed by the need for constant supervision and the ever-present possibility of a tragic event.
Plus, merely being stared at by a cat or dog can be unnerving for birds and affect their overall wellbeing.
If you were introducing a puppy or kitten to an adult resident bird, especially a large species, that might be easier. The young newcomer possibly would grow up respecting the bird’s seniority and position in the family.
Even so, the risk would still be there.
Conclusion: It can be done, but constant supervision and awareness would be required at all times. More so, if there are children in the home.
Unless you have absolute control over all these elements, I’d recommend against adding a pet bird– for the bird’s sake.
Best wishes, and thanks for caring enough to ask.
Frances Goodman is an obedience trainer and pet care writer who lives in Royal Palm Beach. Got a question? Email her at [email protected]. Visit her web site at www.mypetnews.com.
