How old in human years?

The old “times seven” rule

Pets grow up much faster than people in their first two years, then age more steadily. A one-year-old dog or cat is roughly like a 15-year-old person, and a two-year-old is like a person of about 24. Multiplying by seven gets the early years badly wrong.

Size matters for dogs

Small dogs tend to live longer and age more slowly once they’re adults. Large and giant breeds age faster, so a 10-year-old Great Dane is much older in human terms than a 10-year-old Jack Russell. That’s why this calculator asks for your dog’s adult size.

Cats

After their second birthday, cats age by about four human years for every year. Indoor cats commonly live into their mid to late teens.

Caring for an older pet

From around the “mature” stage, a yearly vet check is a good idea, and twice a year for seniors. Watch for stiffness, changes in thirst or appetite, and weight loss.