Cat: lifespan, size, diet and care
In the US, Rover’s 2026 report puts the median lifetime cost of a cat at $32,527.
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How big it is
About 27 cm (11 in) at the shoulder: the average measured in 37 adult cats (no source gives a maximum).
Zoomed ×2: here you see the man up to 95 cm (37 in) off the ground
What it eats and how often
complete cat food, small meals
- Babies, up to 4 months: every day, 3–4 meals a day
- Juveniles, up to 9-12 months (kitten food until then; meals are cut down little by little): every day
- Adults: every day, 2 meals a day
Two measured meals a day, not a bowl that is always full: leaving food out all the time leads to weight gain. Your vet can tell you the right amount for its weight. Keep treats and snacks under 10% of the day's calories.
Vaccines and checkups
The care calendar
What to do, from the most frequent to the least.
- every dayBrush its teethIf it lets you, once a day is ideal, with cat toothpaste.
- every weekBrush its coatShort or medium coat a few times a week; long coat every day.
- every 2 weeksWeight checkWeigh it and check its body shape every two weeks, starting as a kitten: you'll learn what's normal for it.
- every 3 monthsParasite protectionFor worms, usually every 3 to 6 months for adult cats; more often if it hunts. Your vet picks the product and the schedule.
- every yearVaccinesAsk your vet which boosters are due: for low-risk cats, core vaccines every 3 years are enough.
- every yearCheck-up at the vetOnce a year; from 8 to 9 years old, twice a year.
Call the vet right away if…
If you see one of these signs, call your vet now: don’t wait for it to pass.
- Breathing with its mouth open, or panting
- Keeps going to the litter box but passes little or no urine, or strains to pee
- Hasn't eaten for more than a day
- Has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, can't keep food or water down, or there is blood in its vomit
- Collapses, or has a seizure lasting more than 2 minutes or more than one in 24 hours
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cat live?
Usually 12–14 years, often more (International Cat Care).
How big is a cat?
About 27 cm (11 in) at the shoulder: the average measured in 37 adult cats (no source gives a maximum).
How much does a cat weigh?
An adult usually weighs 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) to 7 kg (15 lb).
What does a cat eat, and how often?
Complete cat food, small meals. Two measured meals a day, not a bowl that is always full: leaving food out all the time leads to weight gain. Your vet can tell you the right amount for its weight. Keep treats and snacks under 10% of the day's calories. Babies, up to 4 months: every day, 3–4 meals a day; juveniles, up to 9-12 months (kitten food until then; meals are cut down little by little): every day; adults: every day, 2 meals a day.
Does a cat need vaccines?
Yes: a first series as a kitten, then boosters, as the WSAVA 2024 guidelines say. The dates for yours are on the shots page.
When should a cat see a vet right away?
Right away if you see one of these signs: breathing with its mouth open, or panting; keeps going to the litter box but passes little or no urine, or strains to pee; hasn't eaten for more than a day. The others are above, in “Call the vet right away if…”.
How old is a cat in human years?
International Cat Care counts the first two years as 24 human years, then 4 for each year: a 10-year-old cat is like a 56-year-old person.
Tools for your cat
Always ask your vet: this site helps you understand, it doesn’t replace a checkup.
Sources
All 22 sources, pet by pet
- International Cat Care, “How to tell your cat’s age in human years” (checked on October 6, 2026)
- Facile.it and EMG Different, survey of pet spending in Italy (January 2026), via QuiFinanza (checked on October 6, 2026)
- Rover, “2026 Cost of Pet Parenthood” report (press release, June 2, 2026) (checked on October 8, 2026)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Feeding Practices in Small Animals (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Domestic cat breeds (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Maine Coon (checked on October 13, 2026)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Proper Nutrition for Cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- WSAVA, 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats (checked on October 6, 2026)
- Italian Ministry of Health (Ministero della Salute), pet passport for dogs, cats and ferrets traveling in the EU (checked on October 13, 2026)
- Animal Legal & Historical Center (Michigan State University), Table of State Rabies Vaccination Laws (checked on October 14, 2026)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Routine Health Care of Cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Worms in cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- ESCCAP, Worm Control in Dogs and Cats, Guideline 1 (checked on October 6, 2026)
- PDSA, Keeping your cat's weight in check (checked on October 13, 2026)
- International Cat Care, How to brush your cat's teeth (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, How often should you groom your pet? (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Breathing problems in cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, First aid for pets struggling to breathe (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Blocked bladder in cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, Vomiting in cats (checked on October 13, 2026)
- PDSA, First aid for fits and seizures in pets (checked on October 13, 2026)
- Study of 37 European Shorthair cats, Veterinary Sciences 2024 (CC BY 4.0) (checked on October 13, 2026)