# This is pretty old for a cat, right? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 7, 2011, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759 "2011-03-07T07:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/21 "2011-03-08T18:15:46Z")
Although many, many cats are living to ages in the high teens and early 20s, that’s still considered _really_ old for a cat. Veterinarians start calling cats “geriatric” between ages 8 and 10. The average lifespan of cats is 10 to 14 years. Our first cat lived to be 22. Based on [this chart](http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/agechart.htm), that would have put her _off_ the chart, easily over the 100 year mark in human-equivalent years. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/22 "2011-03-09T00:53:13Z")
My first two cats lived to 18 and 20+. Both were quite healthy and active until the last couple months for the 18y.o. and about the last 6 months for the 20 y.o. ---
**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/23 "2011-03-09T02:10:00Z")
I’ve got a 16 year old orange cat (pee wee). He bagged himself over 50 mice this summer and one squirrel. Ate most of them and left the choice cuts on our doorstep. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/24 "2011-03-09T03:24:41Z")
My darling Murphy lived to be 22, altho the last few months probably wasn’t the kindest to him, and for that I blame myself: kidney issues. I just couldn’t bear to part with him, altho I eventually had him put down. I held him as he went. Gods, but I don’t want to \*\*\*ever \*\*\*do that again… ☹ Other than that, he had a happy, healthy life. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/25 "2011-09-19T06:47:49Z")
I was a lot happier 6 months ago when I started this thread. Bunn E. died today. ☹ We were getting ready to go shopping and he trotted into the living room and did the figure 8 thing on our legs as if to ask for attention. I leaned down and petted him for a moment. He was purring up a storm like he usually did. He was lying on the carpet when we left. Looked and acted fine. We came home about 2 hours later, and he was still lying there. And he was gone. After the initial freak out I picked him up, held him for a bit, then put him in a makeshift casket. I’ll bury him in the yard tomorrow. This will be the first time in 30 years we haven’t had any cats in the house. After having Bunn E. around for over 19 and a half years it is going to be very strange not having him around the house. He was a really nice kitty. One of the very best we ever had. I was a lot happier 6 months ago when I started this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/26 "2011-09-19T06:50:53Z")
Poor old Bunn E. _sniff_ Still, sounds like he had a good life, and a long one. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/27 "2011-09-19T06:55:09Z")
My last cat lived to be 20. He began to slow down only in the last 6 months. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/28 "2011-09-19T08:23:59Z")
Oh! I’m so sorry for you that he’s gone, **pkbites**. What a lovely way to go though - a big purry farewell to you, and then a lovely sleep, inside. Bunn E Kitty. Such a cool name for clearly, a cool, cool cat. Rest with the bunnies, B.E.K. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/29 "2011-09-19T08:27:06Z")
All youngsters compared to [Creme Puff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creme_Puff_%28cat%29). ETA: Sorry for your loss, **pkbites**. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/30 "2011-09-19T11:01:54Z")
I’m sorry, I know how tough it is to have a pet pass on, and to come home to a house without any furry little creatures in it. It sounds like his passing was peaceful. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/31 "2011-09-19T11:54:01Z")
Sorry for your loss. Sounds like your cat had a long and comfortable life - which is about all anyone can wish for. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/32 "2011-09-19T12:37:57Z")
Sorry to hear he passed. ☹ It sounds like he had a very good, long life and died in peace, which is really the best any of us can hope for. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/33 "2011-09-19T13:17:04Z")
though my Aeron Arianeira only lived to be 12 years, 8 months… she went to sleep happily in a warm soft place and never awakened. Going gently is good! but I still miss her. I have known no sweeter cat in all the world… though my tender Night Kitty is trying to live to her example. (obligatory pics: [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1046873026619&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater](http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1046873026619&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater) Aeron improving desk [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1044721412830&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater](http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1044721412830&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater)) Night in the sunny spot ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/34 "2011-09-19T17:51:20Z")
I’m sorry for your loss, **pkbites**. Bunn E. Kitty sounds like he was a really cool little furry buddy. I’m glad you got to have so long with him and that it sounds like his passing was easy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/35 "2011-09-19T17:54:52Z")
That’s how I hope both of my cats go - healthy right to the end, then just go to sleep and not wake up again. Sorry for your loss, **pkbites**. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/36 "2011-09-19T18:03:41Z")
I’m also very sorry for your loss, **pkbites**. I know that day is not far off for our Sal. > [@RedWood](#): > > … > (obligatory pics: > [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1046873026619&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater](http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1046873026619&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater) Aeron improving desk > > [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1044721412830&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater](http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258#!/photo.php?fbid=1044721412830&set=a.1044654411155.6678.1669472258&type=1&theater)) Night in the sunny spot Alas, one has to log on to Facebook to see those pics. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/37 "2011-09-19T18:06:15Z")
Sorry to hear it. Count yourself lucky, though, that there was no long, sad, downhill period. Having a cat who stays happy and healthy right up to the end, especially such a late end, is a real joy. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/38 "2011-09-19T18:28:18Z")
I was trying to write something but I got a little choked up because I also have a 18 year old feisty little bastard of a cat, and, also I lost a horse suddenly like that (bright and perky at breakfast, dead before lunchtime). So… um, before I get choked up again, let me just say, I am very sorry for your loss **pkbites** and I enjoyed the kitty pix. Damn too late. _sniffle_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/39 "2011-09-20T01:09:13Z")
I’m sorry about your kitty, **pkbites**. ☹ I had two cats when I was growing up named Morris and Mitten. We got them at the same time from family who couldn’t keep them. Morris was a kitten and Mitten was about 2. Mitten went deaf about age 16, but was still going strong until she had a stroke at age 21. Dad found her one morning trying to get to her feet but unable to stand up. He took her to the vet to put her to sleep, that was the only time I ever saw Dad cry. Morris was about 18 at the time, and we think he just lost his will to live after Mitten was gone. Wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t play, just laid around. Vet said nothing was wrong, he was just old. I think he only lasted a few more months before we lost him too. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759/40 "2011-09-20T01:34:49Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > All youngsters compared to [Creme Puff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creme_Puff_%28cat%29). > > ETA: Sorry for your loss, **pkbites**. [Lucy](http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/09/time-worn-tabby-at-39-is-lucy-the-oldest-cat-in-the-world/) seems to have Creme Puff beat. And still looks pretty good. I wonder: most of these “cat to human age” converters use some fixed conversion, maybe with a non-linearity in the beginning. But I think the only proper conversion is to look at percentiles. Suppose that 1% of humans live to 100 (these numbers are made up; looking online, I see an incredible range of estimates). And suppose that 99% of cats died before age 20. This would make 20 cat years equivalent to 100 human years. But because of nonlinearities, you couldn’t just say that 5 cat years are 1 human year; it may well be that the 22-year percentile for a cat is 99.5%, while the 110-year percentile for a human is 99.99% (again: made up numbers). The numbers look close but in terns of survival rates they are very different. Another way of looking at it is that cats seem to have a long tail (er…) in their lifespan curve. There’s really no other way to explain these outliers–although the 20yo cat/100yo human seems like a reasonable approximation, the fact is that there are no humans that have lived to 130, let alone 190+. Cats must have a much shallower dropoff in this range. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-pretty-old-for-a-cat-right/573759.md?page=1)