[Written by a Veterinarian] Don't Know Your Rescue Cat's Birthday? How to Determine Their Age and Celebrate Their "Gotcha Day"

During the initial check-up shortly after rescuing a cat, I am often asked, "When is their birthday?" Since you have become a family, it is very important to celebrate your cat's birthday together. At a veterinary clinic, you can determine an approximate age based on the condition of their teeth, eyes, and fur.

In this article, from the perspective of a veterinarian, I will explain how to determine their age and provide tips on how to safely celebrate their birthday with your cat's health in mind.

How to determine or estimate a rescue cat's "birthday"

Having the "estimated age" checked at a veterinary clinic

A cat's age (or age in months for kittens) can be roughly estimated from the condition of their teeth, eyes, and fur. If it is a kitten, you might be able to guess the month they were born, but the exact birth date remains unknown.

Veterinarians mainly determine an estimated age based on the following points:

• Condition of the teeth (how teeth have emerged, whether they are baby or permanent teeth, amount of tartar, and wear on the teeth)
• Weight and skeletal structure (age in months can be guessed from weight; it is also possible to distinguish between an adult and a senior cat)
• Condition of the fur and eyes (for a cat around one month old, "kitten blue" eyes can be confirmed; for senior cats, estimations can be made based on the dryness of the fur)

Since the exact date of birth is unknown, if a veterinarian says, "It was born around this month," it is perfectly fine to set the birthday as the first of that month, the day you rescued them, or any day you prefer.

Using the day they were rescued or the day you met as a "temporary birthday"

As mentioned above, in the case of rescue cats, the exact birthday is almost always unknown. If they were born in a garden or similar place, the exact birth date might be known with reasonable accuracy. If adopted from a rescue organization, it is common to set the birthday as the "day they were rescued by the organization."

Additionally, celebrating the day you met on the street or the "day your cat’s life was saved" as their birthday is also a wonderful way to decide.

An alternative to a birthday! What is a "Gotcha Day" unique to rescue cats?

Celebrating the "adoption day (the day you welcomed them home)" as the day you became a family

In other countries, there is a culture of calling the day you welcome a rescue dog or cat into your family a "Gotcha Day," and celebrating it just as grandly as a birthday.

With feelings of gratitude and blessing for them—such as "Thank you for coming into our lives" or "This is the start of a new life"—let’s celebrate the day you welcomed them as a special anniversary.

When confirming their date of birth at a veterinary clinic, I feel that many people whose cats were rescued or adopted as adults choose to use their "Gotcha Day" as their birthday.

Of course, it’s perfectly fine to celebrate both their birthday and their anniversary!

Rescue cats who have both an "estimated birthday" and a "Gotcha Day" have the chance to be the center of attention twice a year.

Both are important days that deepen the bond with your owner. Let’s enjoy these as days to wish for your cat's health and to be grateful for your calm, daily life together.

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What is a 'Gotcha Day' for rescue cats? Explaining its meaning and the difference from an 'adoption anniversary'

"Gotcha Day" is a celebration of the day you welcomed a rescue cat into your family. We explain the meaning of Gotcha Day, which is a hot topic on social media abroad, how it differs from an adoption anniversary, and ways to spend the day expressing gratitude to your beloved cat.

[Explained by a Veterinarian] Precautions when celebrating your rescue cat's birthday or anniversary

Beware of indigestion caused by "special treats" that are different from usual

Because it is a celebration, suddenly feeding them a lot of unfamiliar, fancy cakes or treats can cause gastroenteritis, leading to diarrhea or vomiting. In an actual case at our clinic, a cat became ill after being given human ice cream and whipped cream on its anniversary. Make sure never to give them human food.

Simply topping their usual food with a little bit of their favorite treat is the safest and most delightful feast for a cat's body.

Keep photoshoots and dressing up within a range that doesn't cause "cat stress"

Forcing a reluctant cat to wear a hat or restraining them for a long time just to take commemorative photos is a no-go.

If you want to dress them up, limit it to attaching an easy-to-remove ribbon or bandana to a collar they are already used to wearing. If your cat doesn't usually wear accessories, try using less burdensome methods, such as adding stamps to your photos during editing.

Also, while human events might involve popping party poppers or cheering loudly, this can be a source of very strong stress for a cat. Please tell them "Happy Birthday" using your usual tone of voice.

Summary: Value the "special day" where you share your love, more than an exact birthday

Unless they were born in your home, you won't know the exact birthday of your cat. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to ask for an estimated age at a veterinary clinic and then pick any day you like as their birthday. We recommend making the day you brought them home your "adoption anniversary = birthday."

When celebrating, please do so with consideration for your cat's stress levels and physical condition. An environment where they feel safe, surrounded by all their family, is the greatest celebration for a cat.

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"Gotcha Day" is a celebration for rescue cats whose birthdays are unknown. We introduce recommended gifts for this important anniversary and ways to enjoy the day with your cat! Spend a special day filled with feelings of "Thank you for becoming family" and "Thank you for being born."

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