Jean Marie Bauhaus
|January 20, 2022
When you think of cat life stages, you might think that they consist of kittenhood, adulthood and senior age. You might also think that once a cat reaches adulthood, there isn't much difference between cat care in adults and younger cats. If that's the case, you'll be surprised to learn that, according to International CatCare, cats go through six distinct life stages, all of which have their own care and feeding requirements. Keep reading to learn which of the cat life stages your cat falls into, and how you can provide your cat with the best care and nutrition for their age. Please keep in mind that some cats mature quicker than others, so it is important to check with your vet to make sure they are getting the right nutrition as they grow.
A kitten is the cat equivalent of a human infant. Kittens grow and develop much faster than human beings, however. During their first six months of life, a kitten will transition fairly rapidly through stages that are similar to that of a human child — from newborn to toddler to preschooler to big kid.
In general, kittens should have received their first vaccinations by the time they're old enough to be adopted, but they may be ready for a booster shot around four months of age. Consult your veterinarian to discuss the best time to spay or neuter your kitten. Your veterinarian can discuss these options, as well as their vaccination schedule when you take them for their first wellness exam. Your vet can also help determine the best methods for controlling fleas and other parasites.
Your new kitten will need to be litter box trained, but the concept is both instinctive and something they learn from their mother, so training is mostly a matter of getting them used to the box and gently reminding them to go there by placing them in it when it looks like they need to go. Otherwise, kitten training mainly focuses on socializing them to people and other animals, and establishing house rules and behavioral boundaries.
The junior life stage is equivalent to human adolescence. During this stage, a cat loses their babyish appearance as they reach physical and sexual maturity. They also outgrows their kitten personality and settles into their true temperament.
At this stage, your cat is in the prime of their life — about the equivalent of a human in their twenties and thirties.
A mature cat is about the equivalent of a middle-aged human in his or their forties or fifties.
Nutritional needs: Mature cats require an array of nutrients to keep their body in tip-top shape. This includes vitamins C and E to boost her immune system. If she's prone to packing a few extra pounds, you may need to adjust her food to accommodate her activity level or choose a food designed for inactive cats.
Cats in their advanced years are separated into two cat life stages. Those from eleven to fourteen years of age are considered senior cats, which is about the equivalent of a human in his sixties and seventies. Ages of fifteen years of age and older are considered geriatric cats.
As you can see, cats go through a number of changes throughout their lives. By knowing the current life stage of your cat, you'll be able to tailor them care accordingly to help provide them with optimal health, nutrition and quality of life so you two can experience the joys of life together.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
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