How to Tell How Old a Cat Is: 5 Simple Signs

If you've ever found a stray cat, adopted a rescue with no history, or just wondered about your own cat's age, you've probably asked yourself how to tell how old a cat is. The short answer is: you can't get an exact birthday without a birth certificate. But you can get surprisingly close using a handful of visual and physical clues.

Cats don't carry ID cards, but their bodies keep a pretty honest record.

The best age estimators are teeth, eyes, coat condition, and muscle tone. In our research, looking at veterinary guidelines from the Cornell Feline Health Center and peer-reviewed studies on feline aging, the most reliable method is dental development in kittens. That's accurate to within a few weeks.

For adults, eye lens changes are accurate to within a couple of years. Once you know what to look for, you can confidently place most cats into a life stage.

Quick Answer

Check the teeth first. Kittens under four months still have baby teeth. By six months, all adult teeth are in.

After one year, look for staining and wear. After six to seven years, the eye lens starts to cloud. After ten years, the coat grays and muscle tone fades.

No single sign is perfect. Combine at least three clues for a reliable estimate.

Why Visual Clues Matter More Than a "Cat Years" Myth

You've probably heard that one cat year equals seven human years. That's a myth. It's not just inaccurate.

It's actively unhelpful. Cats don't age in a straight line. A two-year-old cat is not a "teenager." It's a fully mature adult.

An eight-year-old cat is not "middle-aged" in the way a 56-year-old human is.

As of 2026, the American Association of Feline Practitioners defines a cat as "senior" starting at ten years old. Not seven. The real aging process is faster in the first two years and then slows down.

A six-month-old kitten is roughly equivalent to a human teenager in terms of development. But a ten-year-old cat is closer to a human in their late sixties. The seven-year rule makes you underestimate how fast kittens mature and overestimate how fast adults age.

Visual clues don't rely on math. They rely on biology. Teeth erupt on a fixed schedule.

Eye lenses cloud at a predictable rate. Coat texture changes from kitten-soft to coarse and wiry over time. These are physical markers that breed, size, and diet don't completely override.

That's why veterinarians use them. That's why you can too.

What the Research Actually Says

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery looked at how accurately veterinary students could estimate age using dental exam alone. The results were clear. Students could estimate cats under two years of age within three months.

For cats over two years, accuracy dropped to within about two years. That's a solid range for a non-invasive method you can do at home.

Another study from the University of California, Davis, tracked lenticular sclerosis in cats over seven years old. They found that 50 percent of cats showed visible lens changes by age seven. Nearly 100 percent showed changes by age twelve.

That's a powerful visual clue with a clear timeline.

These aren't guesses. They're biological patterns. Once you learn them, you'll never look at a cat the same way again.

Step 1: Check the Teeth – Your Most Reliable Age Marker

Teeth are the gold standard for age estimation, especially in kittens. The timeline is fixed. It doesn't matter if the cat is a tiny Siamese or a giant Maine Coon.

Baby teeth come in and fall out on a schedule that varies by only a week or two.

Baby Teeth vs. Adult Teeth (Under 6 Months)

Kittens are born without teeth. Around two weeks of age, their first baby teeth start to poke through. By three to four weeks, the canine teeth appear.

By four to six weeks, the premolars come in. A kitten at eight weeks old has a full set of 26 baby teeth.

Here's the timeline in a simple table:

If you see a cat with baby teeth, you know it's under four months old. If you see a mix of baby and adult teeth, it's between four and six months. If all 30 adult teeth are in and bright white, the cat is around six months to one year old.

How to check without getting bitten. Gently lift the cat's lip on one side. You don't need to open the mouth. Just look at the front teeth and the visible canines.

If the cat is cooperative, you can also look at the premolars further back. Use a treat to distract them. Never force the mouth open.

A stressed cat is not a safe cat.

Tooth Staining and Wear (1 Year and Older)

Once all adult teeth are in, the clock starts ticking on wear and tear. A one-year-old cat has teeth that are bright white, clean, and sharp. The incisors have distinct cusps, like little three-pointed crowns.

As the cat ages, those cusps wear down. By two to three years, you might see slight rounding on the incisors. By three to five years, the cusps are noticeably worn.

The teeth may have a light yellow stain, especially on the back premolars. By five to ten years, the wear is significant. The incisors look flat or rounded.

Tartar buildup is common, especially on the upper molars. By ten years and older, teeth may be heavily worn, chipped, or missing altogether.

A few important caveats. Diet plays a huge role. A cat that eats only dry food may have cleaner teeth than a cat that eats wet food. A cat that hunts outdoors may have more wear and breakage.

Dental disease can cause tooth loss that looks like age-related wear but is actually a health issue. So while teeth are a strong clue, they're not the only one. Always cross-reference with other signs.

Step 2: Look at the Eyes – The Lens Tells a Story

The eyes are one of the most reliable age indicators for adult cats. They're easy to check. You don't need to touch the cat.

Just look at the center of the eye, the pupil, and the lens behind it.

Clear and Bright (Under 6–7 Years)

A young cat's eyes are clear. The lens, which sits behind the pupil, is completely transparent. When you shine a light into the eye, the reflection is bright and crisp.

The iris is smooth and even in texture.

This clarity lasts until about six to seven years of age. After that, the lens starts to change. The change is called lenticular sclerosis.

It's not a disease. It's a normal aging process where the lens becomes slightly denser and takes on a hazy, blue-gray appearance.

Lenticular Sclerosis Haze (7+ Years)

If you look into an older cat's eyes and see a cloudy or bluish haze inside the pupil, that's lenticular sclerosis. It often looks like a cataract, but it's different. In lenticular sclerosis, the haze is uniform across the lens.

The cat can still see through it, though vision may be slightly reduced. In a true cataract, the cloudiness is patchy or white, and it blocks vision.

How to tell the difference. Shine a small flashlight into the cat's eye. If the haze is evenly distributed and you can still see the retina through it, it's lenticular sclerosis. If the haze is opaque or white, it could be a cataract.

Cataracts are more common in cats with diabetes or other health issues.

Here's a quick reference for eye aging:

Important safety note. If you notice sudden cloudiness, redness, discharge, or squinting, that's not normal aging. That could be an eye infection, injury, or glaucoma. See a vet immediately.

Lenticular sclerosis is a slow, gradual change. It doesn't cause pain or redness.

Step 3: Examine the Coat and Whiskers

A cat's coat tells a story about age. But it's a less precise story than teeth or eyes. Diet, health, and breed all affect coat quality.

Still, there are clear patterns.

Texture Changes from Soft to Coarse

Kittens have a famously soft, almost downy coat. That's not just cute. It's a biological marker.

The kitten coat is fine and fluffy. It lacks the thicker guard hairs that adult cats have.

As the cat matures, the coat becomes coarser. By one to two years, the coat is fully adult. It's thicker, shinier, and has a clear distinction between the soft undercoat and the stiffer guard hairs.

In senior cats, the coat changes again. It becomes thinner, drier, and sometimes a bit matted. The cat may not groom as effectively, especially if it has arthritis.

A coat that looks greasy, clumpy, or unkempt despite good nutrition is a sign of an older cat, typically over ten years.

Muzzle Graying and Whisker Breakage

Just like humans, cats go gray. The most common spot is around the muzzle, the whisker pads, and sometimes the chin. Graying usually starts around seven to ten years of age.

It's not universal. Some cats stay dark well into their teens. But if you see a cat with a distinctly gray or white muzzle, it's likely over seven years old.

Whiskers also change. Older cats often have broken, split, or thinning whiskers. This is partly due to normal wear and partly because the follicles weaken with age.

A cat under two years old usually has long, thick, intact whiskers. A cat over ten may have whiskers that look ragged or uneven.

One more clue. The coat on the back and hind legs can thin out in very old cats, typically over twelve years. You might see more skin than fur, especially along the spine. This is different from bald patches, which could indicate a skin condition.

It's a diffuse thinning that happens gradually.

Common Visual Mistakes That Throw Off Your Estimate

Even experienced rescuers and vet techs make errors. Here are the most common ones. Walk through each one so you can avoid them.

Mistake 1: Assuming a big cat is an old cat. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and other large breeds can weigh 15 to 20 pounds at two years old. A small cat like a Singapura or Munchkin can be fully grown at five pounds. Size tells you nothing about age.

Always check teeth and eyes first.

Mistake 2: Confusing a healthy senior with a younger adult. Some cats age beautifully. A well-fed, well-cared-for indoor cat at twelve years old can have a clean coat, bright eyes, and good muscle tone. Don't assume a cat is young just because it looks good.

Check the lens for haze and the incisors for wear.

Mistake 3: Ignoring dental disease. A cat with severe dental disease can lose teeth or have heavy tartar at three or four years old. That doesn't make it a senior. It makes it a cat with bad teeth.

If the teeth are a mess but the eyes are clear and the coat is full, the cat is likely younger than the teeth suggest.

Mistake 4: Overestimating age based on behavior. A lazy cat might be a senior. It might also just be a lazy cat. Some young cats are calm and sedentary.

Some old cats are still playful. Behavior is a supporting clue, not a primary one.

Mistake 5: Thinking outdoor cats age the same as indoor cats. They don't. Outdoor cats have more exposure to sun, weather, and injury. Their coats fade faster.

Their teeth wear faster. Their eyes may develop haze earlier. A six-year-old outdoor cat can look like a ten-year-old indoor cat.

Adjust your estimate accordingly.

Mistake 6: Using the "cat years" formula. Again, it's wrong. Don't use it. It will make you think a four-year-old cat is "middle-aged" when it's actually in its physical prime.

Stick to visual cues.

Step 4: Feel the Body – Muscle Tone and Fat Pads

Your hands can tell you things your eyes might miss. Muscle tone changes predictably with age. So does the distribution of body fat.

Learning to feel these changes gives you another reliable clue.

Spiny Back and Bony Hips (Senior Signs)

Run your hand gently along the cat's back. A young cat in good condition has a smooth, rounded spine. You can feel the vertebrae, but they're cushioned by muscle.

The shoulder blades are well-covered. The hips feel rounded and firm.

Now do the same on a senior cat. The spine feels knobby. The vertebrae stick up like a row of small peaks.

This is called a "spiny back" or "prominent spinous processes." It happens because the muscles along the spine atrophy with age. The same thing happens in older humans.

The hips are another giveaway. In a cat over ten to twelve years old, the hip bones become prominent. You can feel the bony points of the pelvis.

The hind legs may feel thinner, with less muscle mass. This muscle loss is called sarcopenia. It's a normal part of aging.

How to check safely. Stand behind the cat while it's standing. Place both hands on its sides, just behind the ribs. Gently feel the spine and the hip bones.

A cat under seven years old should have a smooth, muscular feel. A cat over ten may have a boney, angular feel. If the cat resists, stop.

Never force a handling session.

Belly Pouch and Rib Coverage (Not Age-Specific)

You've probably seen the dangling belly flap. It's called the primordial pouch. It's a loose flap of skin and fat that runs along the belly.

Some people think it's a sign of age or obesity. It's neither.

The primordial pouch is a normal anatomical feature. It's present in many cats from a young age. It provides extra skin for stretching and fighting.

It's more noticeable in some breeds and individual cats than others. It tells you nothing about age.

Rib coverage is also tricky. A cat at a healthy weight has ribs you can feel with a light touch. If you have to press hard to feel them, the cat may be overweight.

If the ribs are very prominent with no fat cover, the cat may be underweight or elderly. But weight varies so much with diet and health that it's not a reliable age marker on its own.

Better approach. Combine rib feel with muscle tone. A cat with prominent ribs but good muscle mass is likely thin but not old. A cat with prominent ribs, a spiny back, and thin hind legs is likely a senior.

Body Condition Score as a Context Clue

Veterinarians use a Body Condition Score scale from 1 to 9. A score of 4 or 5 is ideal. Cats over ten years old often drop to a 3 or 4.

Cats over fifteen may drop to a 2 or 3. This is a gradual change. If you see a cat that looks like it's lost muscle mass compared to a photo from a few years ago, that's a sign of aging.

But here's the catch. Some senior cats get fat, not thin. They lose muscle but gain fat. This is called sarcopenic obesity.

The cat looks round but feels soft and flabby. The spine is still knobby underneath. So don't assume a round cat is young.

Feel the spine.

Breed Size and Coat Color: When Looks Are Deceiving

This is one of the most common traps. A giant cat walks in, and you assume it's old. A tiny cat shows up, and you think it's a kitten.

Both assumptions can be wrong.

Large Breeds That Mature Slowly

Maine Coons are the classic example. They can take three to five years to reach full size. A two-year-old Maine Coon might still be growing.

It might look like a fully grown cat, but it's actually still an adolescent. The same goes for Norwegian Forest Cats, Ragdolls, and Siberians.

If you're looking at a large, fluffy cat, don't assume it's mature. Check the teeth. A Maine Coon at two years old will have bright white, clean adult teeth.

A Maine Coon at eight years old will have some staining and wear. Size alone tells you nothing.

Small Breeds That Look Like Kittens

The opposite problem. Singapura, Munchkin, and Devon Rex cats are small. An adult Singapura weighs four to six pounds.

That's the size of a four-month-old kitten in most breeds. People routinely mistake adult Singapuras for kittens.

Again, teeth are the answer. A four-month-old kitten has a mix of baby and adult teeth. A two-year-old Singapura has a full set of clean adult teeth.

Check the teeth before you guess the age.

Coat Color and Graying

Darker cats show graying more clearly. A black cat with a gray muzzle is obviously older. A white or cream cat may show no graying at all.

That doesn't mean it's young. It means you can't use coat color as a clue for that cat.

Tortoiseshell and calico cats can also hide graying well. The patches of color mask the white hairs. Look at the whiskers instead.

Even in light-colored cats, the whiskers become more brittle and broken with age.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Coat Differences

Outdoor cats have tougher coats. The sun bleaches the fur. The wind and weather dry it out.

A six-year-old outdoor cat may have a coat that looks like a ten-year-old indoor cat's. The opposite is also true. A well-cared-for indoor cat may have a soft, shiny coat well into its teens.

The rule of thumb. Indoor cats age slower in visible ways. Their teeth stay cleaner. Their coats stay softer.

Their eyes stay clearer. If you're estimating age for an outdoor cat, add a couple of years to your estimate. For an indoor cat, subtract a couple of years.

Using Behavior as a Clue Without Overinterpreting

Behavior is tempting. It's easy to see. A kitten bouncing off the walls.

A senior cat snoozing in a sunbeam. But behavior is also highly individual. Some young cats are calm.

Some old cats are playful.

What Behavior Can Tell You

Very young kittens under eight weeks have specific behaviors. They are still learning to walk. They wobble.

They sleep a lot. They nurse or seek warm bodies. These are reliable age markers for the first couple of months.

After that, behavior becomes less reliable. A three-month-old kitten is hyper. A six-month-old is still hyper.

A one-year-old might still be hyper. Some cats stay energetic into their teens. Others settle down at two years old.

What you can use. A cat that sleeps 20 hours a day and shows little interest in play is likely a senior. But a cat that sleeps 20 hours a day because it's bored or overweight is not necessarily old. Look for a combination of low energy, reduced mobility, and the physical signs we've already covered.

Activity Level by Life Stage

Here's a general guide. It's not a rule. It's a pattern.

Important exception. Some cats remain playful into old age. A fifteen-year-old cat may still chase a laser pointer. That doesn't mean it's young.

It means it's a healthy senior. Don't let a playful moment fool you into underestimating age.

Vocalization and Personality Changes

Older cats sometimes become more vocal. This is especially true for cats with cognitive decline, similar to dementia in humans. They may yowl at night or seem confused.

This is not a reliable age marker by itself. But it's a supporting clue.

Young cats are often more curious. They explore new objects. They investigate bags and boxes.

Older cats may be more cautious. They may ignore new things. Again, this is a pattern, not a rule.

Some seniors are curious. Some young cats are timid.

The Rule of Three

When using behavior, apply the rule of three. Look for three behavioral changes that point in the same direction. A cat that sleeps more, jumps less, and ignores toys is likely older.

A cat that still plays, climbs, and explores could be any age. Behavior alone is never enough.

How to Build Your Own Cat Age Reference Chart (Visual Cues at a Glance)

You don't need a veterinary degree to estimate age accurately. You need a system. Here's a reference chart you can use.

It combines all the visual and physical clues we've covered.

The Life Stage Reference Table

How to Use the Chart

Start with the teeth. Find the row that matches the dental condition. Then check the eyes.

See if the eye condition matches the same row. Then check the coat and body. If all three clues point to the same life stage, you have a strong estimate.

If the clues disagree. A cat might have clean teeth but cloudy eyes. That's common. Teeth are affected by diet and dental care.

Eyes are less affected by external factors. In that case, trust the eyes more than the teeth for adult cats. For kittens, trust the teeth.

If the cat is between life stages. A cat with moderate staining but no eye haze is likely between prime and mature, around six to seven years old. A cat with heavy staining and moderate haze is likely mature, around eight to ten years old. The chart gives you a range, not an exact number.

A Quick Checklist for Field Use

If you're in a shelter or rescue setting, here's a faster checklist.

• Under 6 months: Check for baby teeth. If present, the cat is under 4 months. If mixed, 4 to 6 months. If all adult, over 6 months.
• 6 months to 2 years: Bright white teeth, clear eyes, soft coat. The cat looks "new."
• 2 to 6 years: Slight staining, clear eyes, full coat. The cat looks "settled."
• 7 to 10 years: Moderate staining, slight eye haze, maybe some graying. The cat looks "mature."
• 10 to 15 years: Heavy staining, obvious eye haze, graying, some muscle loss. The cat looks "senior."
• 15+ years: Heavy wear, dense eye haze, thin coat, significant muscle loss. The cat looks "geriatric."

One more tip. Take a photo of the cat's teeth and eyes. Compare it to the chart. Photos help you see details you might miss in the moment.

They also help you track changes over time if you see the cat again.

When to Trust Your Estimate vs. When to See a Vet

Your home estimate is useful. It helps you choose the right food, plan for health care, and understand your cat's needs. But it has limits.

Here's when to trust it and when to get professional help.

When Your Estimate Is Reliable

• Kittens under 6 months. Dental development is extremely accurate. You can trust your estimate within a few weeks.
• Cats under 2 years. Clean white teeth and clear eyes are reliable markers. You can estimate within a year.
• Cats over 10 years. Multiple signs converge. Heavy wear, eye haze, graying, and muscle loss together give a clear picture. You can estimate within two to three years.

When Your Estimate Is Less Reliable

• Cats between 2 and 7 years. This is the hardest range. Teeth are still fairly clean. Eyes are still clear. Coat is still good. The signs are subtle. Your estimate may be off by several years.
• Cats with dental disease. A young cat with bad teeth will look older than it is. You need a vet to distinguish dental disease from age-related wear.
• Cats with health conditions. Hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or diabetes can cause weight loss, coat changes, and eye changes that mimic aging. A sick young cat can look old. A well-managed senior can look young.

What a Vet Can Do That You Can't

A veterinarian has tools and training that go beyond visual clues. They can:

• Perform a dental exam with proper lighting and instruments.
• Take dental X-rays to see tooth roots and bone health.
• Check the lens and retina with an ophthalmoscope.
• Assess blood work for organ function and thyroid levels.
• Measure muscle mass and body condition more precisely.
• Look for breed-specific health issues that affect appearance.

When to see a vet. If you need an exact age for a legal or medical reason, see a vet. If the cat is sick or injured, see a vet. If your estimate doesn't make sense, see a vet.

If you can't safely examine the cat, see a vet.

The Bottom Line on Accuracy

Your home estimate is good enough for most situations. It helps you decide what food to buy, what vaccines to schedule, and what health issues to watch for. But it's not a substitute for veterinary care.

Think of it as a starting point, not a final answer.

One last warning. Never use your age estimate to delay veterinary care. A cat that looks "old" might be sick. A cat that looks "young" might have a hidden health problem.

Age is one piece of information. It's not the whole picture.

FAQs: "Can You Tell Exactly How Old?" and Other Common Questions

Can you tell a cat's exact age just by looking at it?

No. You can get within a few weeks for kittens under six months. For adult cats, you can estimate within one to three years.

No visual method gives an exact birthday. If you need a precise age, a microchip record or birth certificate is the only way.

How accurate is the teeth method for adult cats?

Teeth are most accurate for cats under two years old. After that, accuracy drops. Diet, dental care, and genetics all affect tooth condition.

A cat that eats dry food may have cleaner teeth than a wet food cat of the same age. Use teeth as one clue, not the only clue.

Is there a cat age test like a DNA test?

Yes, but it's not widely available or affordable. Some veterinary labs offer DNA-based age testing. They look at epigenetic markers in a blood sample.

As of 2026, this is still experimental and expensive. Most vets don't offer it. Visual estimation remains the standard method.

What's the oldest age a cat can reach?

The oldest verified cat lived to 38 years old. That's extremely rare. Most indoor cats live between 12 and 18 years.

Outdoor cats average 5 to 10 years. If you estimate a cat at 15 years old, it's a senior. If you estimate 20 years, it's geriatric and exceptional.

How do you tell if a stray cat is a kitten or just small?

Check the teeth. A small adult cat has a full set of 30 adult teeth. They may be stained or worn.

A kitten has baby teeth or a mix of baby and adult teeth. Size and weight are not reliable. A Singapura adult weighs four to six pounds.

That's kitten size for most breeds.

Can a vet always tell the exact age?

No. Vets are more accurate than untrained people, but they still estimate. A study from the University of California, Davis, found that veterinary students could estimate age within three months for kittens and within two years for adult cats.

That's a solid range, but it's not exact.

Final Verdict: A Practical Three-Step Process for Any Cat

You now have all the tools. Let's put them together into a simple process you can use for any cat. Follow these three steps in order.

Step One: Check the Teeth

Start here. It's the most reliable method, especially for young cats. Lift the lip gently and look at the front teeth.

• Under 4 months: You see baby teeth. Small, sharp, and white.
• 4 to 6 months: You see a mix of baby and adult teeth. Some are falling out.
• 6 months to 1 year: All adult teeth are in. They are bright white with sharp cusps.
• 1 to 3 years: Teeth are still white. Cusps are slightly rounded.
• 3 to 6 years: Light staining. Cusps are noticeably worn.
• 7 to 10 years: Heavy staining. Significant wear. Tartar buildup.
• 10+ years: Heavy wear. Possible tooth loss. Heavy tartar.

If the teeth are mostly clean and white. The cat is likely under three years old. Move to the eyes.

If the teeth are stained and worn. The cat is likely over five years old. Move to the eyes.

Step Two: Check the Eyes

Look at the lens through the pupil. Use a small flashlight in a dim room.

• Clear lens, bright reflection: Under 6 to 7 years old.
• Slight blue-gray haze: 7 to 10 years old.
• Moderate haze, lens cloudy: 10 to 12 years old.
• Dense haze, almost opaque: 12 to 15 years or older.

If the eyes are clear. The cat is likely under seven years old. Combine with the teeth estimate.

If the eyes are hazy. The cat is likely over seven years old. This is a strong clue.

Step Three: Check the Body and Coat

Run your hand along the spine. Look at the coat and whiskers.

• Smooth spine, soft coat, full whiskers: Under 7 years old.
• Slightly knobby spine, coarser coat, some graying: 7 to 10 years old.
• Spiny back, thin coat, gray muzzle, broken whiskers: 10 to 15 years old.
• Boney feel, thin coat, bald spots, severely worn whiskers: 15 years or older.

If the body is smooth and muscular. The cat is likely under seven. Combine with the other clues.

If the body is boney and thin. The cat is likely over ten. This confirms the eye and teeth clues.

The Decision Table

Here's a quick lookup table for the final estimate.

What If the Clues Don't Match?

This happens. A cat might have clean teeth but cloudy eyes. Or heavy wear but a clear lens.

When clues disagree, here's the order of trust.

1. Eyes for adult cats. The lens changes are less affected by diet and environment.
2. Teeth for kittens. Dental development is the most accurate clue for cats under six months.
3. Body for seniors. Muscle loss and coat changes are reliable for cats over ten years.
4. Behavior last. Use it only as a supporting clue.

If the clues are split, report a range. A cat with clean teeth but cloudy eyes is likely between 6 and 8 years old. A cat with heavy staining but clear eyes could be under 7 with bad teeth.

Give yourself a range of two to three years.

A Final Note on Confidence

You can be confident in your estimate when you have at least three clues pointing in the same direction. If you only have one clue, your estimate is a guess. If you have two clues that agree, your estimate is a reasonable range.

If you have three or more, you can place the cat in the correct life stage with high confidence.

One last thing. Age estimation is a skill. It gets better with practice. The more cats you look at, the more you'll recognize the patterns.

Start with cats you know. Check their teeth and eyes. Compare your estimate to their known age.

Calibrate your eye. Over time, you'll get faster and more accurate.

You now have everything you need. Go find a cat. Look at its teeth.

Check its eyes. Feel its spine. You'll be surprised how much you can learn.