Our industry guidelines require updating as we understand more about the animals we live with and provide with care. New updates for individual felines are found in the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines. The Guidelines are provided jointly by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). The new updates outline four age-related life stages and a fifth, end-of-life stage, occurring at any age.
Feline Life Stages
- Kitten: Birth up to 1 year
- Young adult: 1 to 6 years
- Mature adult: 7 to 10 years
- Senior: 10 years and older
- End-of-life: Any age
Source: AAHA / AAFP, March 2, 2021.
The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines are online at aaha.org/felinelifestage and catvets.com/life-stage. Cat owner resources are available at catfriendly.com/life-stages.