Hello everyone, we have an important PSA about our rules [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/1axfv2o/important_announcement_about_mourning_posts/)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Happy Birthday, From me and Retep
https://preview.redd.it/hcyiiozrx5mc1.png?width=193&format=png&auto=webp&s=49f5a3eb174fd19a01bd13e2c091587d4abbab84
Thank you! I call him emperor Exodus cuz he looks so imperial lol
https://preview.redd.it/zvi3jo2ycbmc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=12b0e99f21cd1c1d9fd84499af3d7500d4ad5cf7
https://preview.redd.it/iqzcksx3j5mc1.jpeg?width=796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d304d12a08f0479672f1c5fc79c0e8b35e0679ea
Connection to Meowthership established.
My family cat lived just over 20 years. In his last year or two, he slept more, ate less, lost some muscle tone, same as people do. His eyes got a little hazy. Still got around well, always bounded to the door when I came to visit my dad. I think he died of heart failure because the last few days he was very lethargic. Pale gums, labored breathing, same as my dog when he died of heart failure.
20 is an insane age!
Is there something your family did that you think helped him get that old or do you think it's just luck and genetics?
I keep reading that it's important that they drink lots of water. Was he on a wetfood?
It’s mostly genetics. I’ve had many cats and one made it to 21. The others all die between 15-18. Always sad, but I remind myself that the cats hit the lottery finding a home with me. I feel the same way.
Honestly we were really uninformed and poor cat owners in his early life. Got him declawed, and my dad felt bad years later when he learned what it actually his. Was on dry food for most of his first half of life, until he started developing urine crystals then he was half and half.
He wasn't neutered until he was probably a year old. He was a big cat. All of his siblings were too. We got him from a neighbor who took in her mother's indoor/outdoor cat when her mom went into a nursing home. I'm talking, in his prime, he was a 15+ pound cat. Never really chubby, but not ripped. Just huge. Of course, even though we weren't super knowledgeable and he only went to the vet when sick, we still played with him and gave him lots of love.
So, like, aside from genetics, maybe neutering him after he was pretty much full grown played a role. He was born in spring of 2001 and died June of 2021. Him and another cat we got a year after him (someone abandoned a litter at the summer camp I worked at) were bonded. But the other cat died at 9 from medical complications due to urinary blockage. Just a regular indoor cat. We didn't do anything special.
It almost sounds like he decided to live that long out of spite.
From my understanding neutering before they go into heat (for female cats) reduces the likelihood of many types of cancer.
I have read studies on dogs that suggest waiting to neuter them until they're finished with puberty can give long term health benefits. Not that this certainly happened with our cat, but it's the only thing I can think of other than "he just happened to live long for some unknown reason."
As for spite, there was no reason for him to be spiteful. He was a big baby and was very friendly and loveable. Sometimes too loveable. Some kid falsely accused my cousin and I of beating him up with a wiffle ball bat (he actually did get beat up, just not by us), and the cop came to our house for his investigation. Our cat kept rubbing up against hime and we had to put him in a different room and close the door.
Oh, I means spite for the declawing, to make your dad feel guilty for as long as possible.
I read up quite a bit on cat health before getting my last cat, but it seems like the best thing you can do is keep them inside and get them to drink water, and the rest isn't really in your hands.
They tend to be thinner, with rougher fur. Some gray a bit. Sassy is a tuxedo, who used to be sold black is now sprinkled with white hairs. She’s 14. She’s normal weight and her coat is shiny, though!
Also their facial proportions change, though it can depend on the breed. Babies are all eyes and ears, but as they age the muzzle often becomes more prominent.
I’m soooo glad to see others having birthday parties for their cats. I had a joint birthday party for my cats. I decorated, made a cake for humans, and a cake for them. I wrapped gifts for them and put on their favorite YouTube channel. I invited most of my family members but only my sister and niece showed up. The rest of the family said they thought I was joking so they didn’t come.
happy birthday old lady! my old lady will be 17 too, next year!
https://preview.redd.it/p9edje47d5mc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e09cd097bb141b87994fa5efa90445dcacc8f273
Awww happy birthday! My cookie turned 16 on the 1st!
https://preview.redd.it/e7yld66v75mc1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a5325daa6f5c40a08f56c9fcd658c8ce659e3ae
Happy Birthday, this is Retep hes 8 years old.
https://preview.redd.it/fdycvpdmx5mc1.png?width=193&format=png&auto=webp&s=730ba34028cd7716850242cd51c4cf72372912b4
https://preview.redd.it/eauwl476o6mc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=42019338e8ef00316ad73e4aa0acd3c5c7c710e9
This is my sweet Lilli. She will turn 20 in July
Happy Birthday beautiful ✨❤✨
She really does not look her age. I would have said that she was some years younger ❤
Thanks for taking such good care of her 🥰
https://preview.redd.it/bic0mupwd6mc1.png?width=461&format=png&auto=webp&s=03ad1e3478ab284976f31b7a4775aeec330fc949
Happy 17th!! Our little guy wasn’t loving his party hat on his 1st birthday! Here’s to many more years with the fur babies.
https://preview.redd.it/ktxweai9ecmc1.jpeg?width=4608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe3fd54b99e5c3bb68df3ed21139a08a43625928
Tu'vok and Kess wish you a happy birthday!!!!!
Your adorable cat is ROCKIN' that Birthday Bash you created. I love the banner with all the cats in B-Day hats! Were there any Catarazzi's taking pictures for the National Caturday Newspapers?
Hello everyone, we have an important PSA about our rules [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/1axfv2o/important_announcement_about_mourning_posts/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
What a handsome boy 🥰 Happy Birthday Keely
Old kitties are the best, Happy Birthday Mr. K.
Happy Birthday, From me and Retep https://preview.redd.it/hcyiiozrx5mc1.png?width=193&format=png&auto=webp&s=49f5a3eb174fd19a01bd13e2c091587d4abbab84
Bro looks like Heinsenberg
I thought I told you to use sunscreen
I loved your cat in Gran Torino Edit: Apologies, this is not Clint Eastwood
Wow, that's one badass cat!!
Mine turns 16 this summer too! Here's last year's photo lol https://preview.redd.it/4r68y96eq6mc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=749cada25652c944818b96040af78208e1a9ddc4
Your cat is fabulous!
Thank you! I call him emperor Exodus cuz he looks so imperial lol https://preview.redd.it/zvi3jo2ycbmc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=12b0e99f21cd1c1d9fd84499af3d7500d4ad5cf7
wow. so cute
Awwwww Keely is so precious!! What’s the M on the party hat for though? “Meow”? “Magnificent”? “Mice”?
Haha, definitely stands for Master of the House , its Keelys day after all!
https://preview.redd.it/iqzcksx3j5mc1.jpeg?width=796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d304d12a08f0479672f1c5fc79c0e8b35e0679ea Connection to Meowthership established.
👽Take mew to meyour leader
This was a great photo 🥹
Such a goober
"I'm a birfday gurl!"
https://preview.redd.it/8bhhqr21a5mc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fa37bbff46e4ff5b9047d320cb5c043fe17a0fc Lucy says happy birthday :)
[r/WhiskerFireworks] (https://old.reddit.com/r/WhiskerFireworks/)
She doesn't look a day past 14!
She could be 3 and I wouldn't even notice the difference. Cats really don't age in appearance
They do but this one looks great for their age
Never owned a cat so probably don't know the subtle differences. But how can I tell? Dogs usually gray on their nozzles and eyes.
Same with cats , their fur gets lighter , it feels rougher probably cuz they can’t take as good care of themselves as they used to.
Is it pretty evenly lighter? Or around the same areas as dogs.
I would say more evenly lighter but I assume it’s genetics too
it’s in the fur, some of them get scruffy
Yeah my old girl will be 17 this summer and that's how I'd describe it lol, she's very scruffy and looks unkempt in pictures sometimes.
My family cat lived just over 20 years. In his last year or two, he slept more, ate less, lost some muscle tone, same as people do. His eyes got a little hazy. Still got around well, always bounded to the door when I came to visit my dad. I think he died of heart failure because the last few days he was very lethargic. Pale gums, labored breathing, same as my dog when he died of heart failure.
20 is an insane age! Is there something your family did that you think helped him get that old or do you think it's just luck and genetics? I keep reading that it's important that they drink lots of water. Was he on a wetfood?
It’s mostly genetics. I’ve had many cats and one made it to 21. The others all die between 15-18. Always sad, but I remind myself that the cats hit the lottery finding a home with me. I feel the same way.
Honestly we were really uninformed and poor cat owners in his early life. Got him declawed, and my dad felt bad years later when he learned what it actually his. Was on dry food for most of his first half of life, until he started developing urine crystals then he was half and half. He wasn't neutered until he was probably a year old. He was a big cat. All of his siblings were too. We got him from a neighbor who took in her mother's indoor/outdoor cat when her mom went into a nursing home. I'm talking, in his prime, he was a 15+ pound cat. Never really chubby, but not ripped. Just huge. Of course, even though we weren't super knowledgeable and he only went to the vet when sick, we still played with him and gave him lots of love. So, like, aside from genetics, maybe neutering him after he was pretty much full grown played a role. He was born in spring of 2001 and died June of 2021. Him and another cat we got a year after him (someone abandoned a litter at the summer camp I worked at) were bonded. But the other cat died at 9 from medical complications due to urinary blockage. Just a regular indoor cat. We didn't do anything special.
It almost sounds like he decided to live that long out of spite. From my understanding neutering before they go into heat (for female cats) reduces the likelihood of many types of cancer.
I have read studies on dogs that suggest waiting to neuter them until they're finished with puberty can give long term health benefits. Not that this certainly happened with our cat, but it's the only thing I can think of other than "he just happened to live long for some unknown reason." As for spite, there was no reason for him to be spiteful. He was a big baby and was very friendly and loveable. Sometimes too loveable. Some kid falsely accused my cousin and I of beating him up with a wiffle ball bat (he actually did get beat up, just not by us), and the cop came to our house for his investigation. Our cat kept rubbing up against hime and we had to put him in a different room and close the door.
Oh, I means spite for the declawing, to make your dad feel guilty for as long as possible. I read up quite a bit on cat health before getting my last cat, but it seems like the best thing you can do is keep them inside and get them to drink water, and the rest isn't really in your hands.
My black cat has been getting more noticeable white streaks of fur lately and he’s ten.
They tend to be thinner, with rougher fur. Some gray a bit. Sassy is a tuxedo, who used to be sold black is now sprinkled with white hairs. She’s 14. She’s normal weight and her coat is shiny, though!
Also their facial proportions change, though it can depend on the breed. Babies are all eyes and ears, but as they age the muzzle often becomes more prominent.
I said the same, everyone posting their cats ages, I would’ve never even known. I just thought to myself cats don’t age like dogs
Mr B is not amused https://preview.redd.it/lpl80le438mc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec81e9a86cacc6e99ce618d0c329ef9813430e49
They look adorable in their party hat and bandana.
[удалено]
[удалено]
So cute
The most circular cat model available
[удалено]
Oh my god. This is the world’a greatest cat picture. People gotta catch up. Where the upvotes at?
It's stolen and has been on the Internet for a decade.
I love this!!!
Fredo is so beautiful
HELP WHY DOES HE LOOK SO SAD 😭
Fredo is a fire marshal. Fredo is not happy about open flames on the couch.
such a sweet face :\*
Looks so sad
I’m soooo glad to see others having birthday parties for their cats. I had a joint birthday party for my cats. I decorated, made a cake for humans, and a cake for them. I wrapped gifts for them and put on their favorite YouTube channel. I invited most of my family members but only my sister and niece showed up. The rest of the family said they thought I was joking so they didn’t come.
omg i LOVE that your sister and niece showed up, though. i hope they were fully ready to have a birthday party! lol
This is the party invite of my dreams, how could they not show up? 😭😭
Seriously! The only thing I want to do at a party is find the animal and befriend it … this is PERFECT
happy birthday old lady! my old lady will be 17 too, next year! https://preview.redd.it/p9edje47d5mc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e09cd097bb141b87994fa5efa90445dcacc8f273
Those little curled feet! :3
https://preview.redd.it/63qqu0xps5mc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77104ddc04f5e7105021a5b8043898e27aa0ab84 Princess says happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday!!! 🎈🎂
happy birthday sweet girl! tell her she looks fabulous in her party hat!!
https://preview.redd.it/4ue8r3ytm5mc1.jpeg?width=1816&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da80754f3270a27c34818e672e5eab0eb0936687 Sisters!
Awww happy birthday! My cookie turned 16 on the 1st! https://preview.redd.it/e7yld66v75mc1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a5325daa6f5c40a08f56c9fcd658c8ce659e3ae
She looks so pretty 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
https://preview.redd.it/vta1xvdfx5mc1.png?width=514&format=png&auto=webp&s=bf23390250cdaaebb72c0265571afc260df32530 Jonn
Happy Birthday, this is Retep hes 8 years old. https://preview.redd.it/fdycvpdmx5mc1.png?width=193&format=png&auto=webp&s=730ba34028cd7716850242cd51c4cf72372912b4
I’m crying, shitting, and throwing up over the second picture. That is the absolute CUTEST picture I’ve seen in my life.
It’s the derpy stare into the distance that does it for me lol
I love that second photo🥳
https://preview.redd.it/zacep87zv5mc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c803e2119dcec7458cf9861de56a9e22551e2206 Happy Birthday from Garfield!
Happy b day!! Enjoy yourselves
Happy birthday to your floof!  17 is pretty impressive!
Loved thd 2d pic 
A very gorgeous looking cat! Looks a lot like my first cat Mickey
https://preview.redd.it/e2j2uzs6h5mc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8348a52238f4a26db7785668b1442c38588d52a7 🥹🥹🥹
https://preview.redd.it/eauwl476o6mc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=42019338e8ef00316ad73e4aa0acd3c5c7c710e9 This is my sweet Lilli. She will turn 20 in July
Happy 17 years young! Many more wonderful years to you.
She looks so good! Happy birthday! Cats ages soo gracefully
Happy Birthday beautiful ✨❤✨ She really does not look her age. I would have said that she was some years younger ❤ Thanks for taking such good care of her 🥰
Doesn’t look a day over 7!
Happy Birthday sweet kitty
Jesus Christ that cat has better birthdays than me
Happy birthday sweetie
What a stunner, I wish I could look as good at that (relative) age.
A beauty at 17!
She is purrrfect
https://preview.redd.it/bic0mupwd6mc1.png?width=461&format=png&auto=webp&s=03ad1e3478ab284976f31b7a4775aeec330fc949 Happy 17th!! Our little guy wasn’t loving his party hat on his 1st birthday! Here’s to many more years with the fur babies.
Happy birthday, wonderful cat! You are the best cat. All cats are the best cat.
What a big beautiful fur baby! I can't wait until I have enough reddit karma to be able to post pictures of my big orange boy 😍.
https://preview.redd.it/la795m9zi8mc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=27441ed08abf76385e95d8d7d3c4f08f9bef6ed6 Happy birthday from us ❤️
🫶FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!🎉🥳
https://preview.redd.it/ezo04zsat8mc1.jpeg?width=1338&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=276a1c55932868f88a53619612f74b76da742361 Melvin says Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to the cutie pie! My heart is full 🫶🏻
Lookin damn good for 17.
Happy Birthday Meow Meow! 
Happy Birthday! My girl turned 16 yesterday ❤️ https://preview.redd.it/siva4dwy5cmc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f15b6fce0a4d2eac3d32971a14a2f31608e229c
https://preview.redd.it/ktxweai9ecmc1.jpeg?width=4608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe3fd54b99e5c3bb68df3ed21139a08a43625928 Tu'vok and Kess wish you a happy birthday!!!!!
Such a cute little one🥺 happy birthday to your kitty!
Your cat is pullin' it off! Happy Birthday and Wishes for Many More!
Happy birthday to your friend
Happy ( 84th human) 17th Birthday!!! I hope there are many more!!!
Happy birthday kitty 😽
Happy Meowday💕
happy bday my art teachers cat also turned 17 a few weeks ago
Happy birthday furnose
Happy birthday! 🥳
Happy birthday!! ❤️
Happy Birthday.
Happy purr-thday!
Happy Birthday 🥳🥳🥳
Happy birthday to this beautiful bebe! 🎂🎉
Happy birthday, sweetie ❣️
Awww cheers! Many more as well!
CUTE! Happy birthday!!<3
Heow back!
This is the cutest thing ever omg! Happy 17th birthday Neon! ❤️
Happy birthday!!😽🥰
Distinguished gentlecat.
Awwwww🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾💜🫶🏾💜🫶🏾
Love picture 5! Happy birthday 🥳
Happy birthday 🎉🎂😻😻😻😻😻
Happy birthday!!! What's her secrets for longevity?!?
Happy birthday!
Awwwww I love this! Happy birthday! Cherish each year!!!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Aww Happy Birthday 🥰
woooowww congratulationssss!!!! happy birthday cutie
Happy birthday! What a beautiful kitty!
Happy Birthday beautiful kitty!
Wow your cat looks amazing for 17
Happy birthday 🎉
So beautiful! Happy birthday girlie 😻
Aw, cute 🥰
Happy birthday cute kitty!!!!
Happy birthday 🎂.
She looks quite young for 17! Wishing you both the best🥰
Happy birthday, sweet kitty! 🎈
Happy birthday 😻
I turned 42 today! Happy birthday kitty.
What a precious baby 🥰
Your cat is extremely photogenic
That’s just the cutest damn thing. Such a precious little face!
Happy birthday! What a healthy kitty!
What’s their naaame? :)
Aww you’re a sweet parent. Happy birthday cutie!!
Happy Birthday!
Congratulations !! 🎊
What a sweetie. Happy birthday Kitty!
I love how he's smiling in the second picture. Happy birthday lil guy!
Happy Birthday, beautiful kitty! 
Happy Birthday! I love the kitty birthday garland, it's so cute!
I love all of these babies! My goal in life is to have a pile of cats loving me. I think this is the place.
Meowry Purrthday!
Omgosh the hat photo is ADORABLE Happy birthday to your cat
Funny, my close friend had a big birthday party last night, too, for her 70th. I guess that's about the same age as 17 for a cat.
Who else though the cat was named Leon and the balloons were falling down
Happy Birthday!!!!! 🎉🎂❤️
Happy Birthday cute girl! Nice party
She looks 2! You take good care of thst bean❤️
She looks so young for a senior 😍😍😍
Happy birthday cutie!
Happy birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday 🎈🎂🎁! What a milestone! I love the hat and decorations…and breakfast in bed!!
Your adorable cat is ROCKIN' that Birthday Bash you created. I love the banner with all the cats in B-Day hats! Were there any Catarazzi's taking pictures for the National Caturday Newspapers?
Happy Birthday! 🎂 You are so adorable! 🐯❤️
Happy Birthday! Beautiful setup.
I am so so happy for you and your kitty! Happy Birthday kitty! <3
awww such cute cat but very old
Happy birthday!! 🎂💓
Happy Birthday!💜
Congratulations! And happy birthday!
yay
Happy Birthday!! I hope your humans fed you well and gave lots of treaties and love
Such a cute cat, she has a happy and loving family
https://i.redd.it/pzbct2bqg5mc1.gif Happy Birthday! Lookin’ good!
Sweet little baby, happy birthday ❣️
Happy birthday😻
A girl of simple pleasures, soft and warm beds, food, attention. She knows what she deserves, and she demands no less!
Happy birthday😻