The shelter said she was 2 when I got her in 2000, but the vet I took her to looked at her teeth and said she looked older than that. I say she is almost 8 now but truth is it scares me she could be much older and I dont even know how much? Is there some kind of blood test that can say how old she is?
2006-07-11 16:38:13 · 7 answers · asked by pumpmar 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Like people, aminals age at different rate .the blood test will not be able to determine a specific age.
Here a few things to do....
First, look at the condition of the teeth. Generally, cats with pearly white teeth are younger and cats with lots of tartar, missing teeth or tooth wear are older. But the condition of the teeth depends also on prenatal care, general care during the cat's life and when he or she last saw a vet dentist. So, you can get fooled on age by just looking at the teeth.
You should also look at the eyes. As cats get older, some of us get cataracts, just like people. So, look to see if the lens looks cloudy. If so, the cat is probably older than 12 years.
Besides the condition of the lens, also look at the iris of the eye. In a young cat, it looks smooth. As a cat ages, it can get a more crackly look to it. In very old cats, the iris is sometimes very jagged and does not have smooth edges.
Another clue used to guess at age is body condition. Younger cats are more muscled and in better shape. Very old cats often have a gut but are very bony on top.
So you see, there are ways to make guesses, but that is all they really are.
2006-07-11 16:41:51 · answer #1 · answered by Britness 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vets usually guess a cat's age by looking at its teeth. This isn't like horses though - there isn't a pattern of wear that will give you a reliable guide. What they're looking for is the amount of yellowing, wear, tartar and gum disease (if any) present. This is only a rough guide, because individual cats vary widely in how 'old' their teeth look. Living on the streets for a period of time will make their teeth look older due to poor food, fights etc. As you've discovered, there isn't even agreement on what a given set of teeth says about the age.
You might ask the vet(s) why they came up with a certain age estimate; the shelter may even have made a typo on the original form. (No offense to shelter folks, but it does happen.) There is no test AFAIK that will tell you a cat's age.
2006-07-12 00:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's not really a way to tell other than a vet exam, which is inexact. I suggest you find a *very* good vet who will be prepared to deal with any age related problems that may crop up.
I say that because my old vet said my beloved cat was "just getting older". I finally wised up and took him to another vet for a second opinion. He had kidney disease. I wish with all my heart we'd caught it sooner... The cats I got after his death all go to the new vet....
2006-07-11 23:45:07 · answer #3 · answered by Riothamus Of Research ;<) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does she seem to be very old? You will have to be the judge but I would go with the vet.
2006-07-11 23:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um yes if u take her to the vet and ask them to find out
2006-07-12 00:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Tay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. You can't even cut off a leg and count the rings...
2006-07-11 23:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by evalmonk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but it is very expensive
2006-07-11 23:42:53 · answer #7 · answered by jolene_mullikin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋