When Will My Cat Stop Growing

Month : Your Kitten Will Sleep More

Still very much a baby, but growing into a young adolescent, your kitten will start to sleep more during the day just like an adult cat does. Expect more than half the day to be filled with cat naps, so try to have a comfy cat bed in your kitten’s favorite spot.

When your kitten isn’t sleeping, it will still be exploring and playing, but its confidence level will be higher than when it was just a toddler. It will also be more coordinated as a young adolescent and will demonstrate just how social it wants to be with you. Socialization and bonding time has always been important to your growing kitten, but at this age, your hard work will have finally paid off and you may see your kitten starting to snuggle with you voluntarily.

If you have not already had your female kitten spayed and it has spent time with an intact male cat, then there is a chance that your kitten is pregnant. Cats can get pregnant as young as six months of age so it’s very important to get your female kitten spayed if you don’t want more kittens.

When Is My Cat An Adult When Is It Fully Grown And When Do Cats Stop Growing

Cats can be considered adults around the time their growing slows down, between 9 and 12 months.

Sexual maturity in kittens is reached fairly quickly, coming anywhere between 6 and 9 months.

Keep an eye on weight and length to determine when your cat stops growing, and be cautious of him or her around members of the opposite sex if you have not had your cat spayed or neutered they become sexually active much quicker than you might expect!

One Step At A Time: Keeping Up With Your Kittens Changing Needs

From weaning to old age, your little feline friend will experience a number of physical and behavioural changes that will prompt, amongst other adjustments, a change in her nutritional requirements. One of the most important transitions in your cats life is from being an adorable, bouncy kitten to an equally lovable adult cat. Another important transition in many cats lives comes with neutering, which calls for certain additional adjustments in diet including a possible reduction in calories. And with all transitions, it will be easier for both you and your cat if you understand the changes that lie ahead. Preparation brings you greater peace of mind and will help you make sure that your beloved companion stays healthy and fit at every stage of life.

Also Check: Compare Blue Cat Food

What Is Normal Growth

First, we need to discuss at what age you can expect a healthy kitten to stop growing. Of course, every cat has their own unique genetics and journey through life, but there are definitely some general guidelines that can give you a clue as to how big your cat should be by the time they reach various stages.

Kittens will typically have a huge growth spurt at the start of their life, which is usually the first eight weeks after birth. This is an important period of incredible development, where lack of growth is easy to spot and very problematic. It should warrant your concern. We have listed some possible causes further down in this article, so be sure to read those.

After those first eight weeks, a kitten will continue to grow, albeit at a more slow and steady pace, until the age of about 12 months. During this stage, lack of growth becomes harder to spot, as it is typical for a cat of this age to only grow in size by very small amounts each month.

For many breeds, outward physical growth is completed around the 12-month mark. But there is still plenty happening on the inside!

This is, however, not the case for all breeds. Bigger cats such as the Maine Coon and the Ragdoll can take up to two years to reach their full adult size! Still, their growth will again slow down significantly after those initial 12 months. At this point, a lack of growth is almost impossible to spot unless you are a trained professional.

When Are Cats Full Grown

If you are looking for a definitive answer as to when do cats stop growing, we would have to say it is when they are between 10 months and 2 years old. However, as we have mentioned there are external factors that can affect this. And certain breeds take longer before they are fully grown.

As long as you are providing your kitten with a well-balanced, nutritional diet, plenty of exercise and love, it will reach its full size eventually. Our advice is to enjoy every stage of your cats life cycle, from kitten to senior, because in a blink of an eye, it will all be over.

As always, we love your feedback. Let us know if you found this article helpful in the comment section below, or better still, share it with a feline-loving friend. And while youre at it, dont forget to like us on .

And if you are interested in picking up some more fabulous feline facts have a browse through our cat library here.

Melinda Connor

Also Check: My Cat Drools When Purring

What Other Symptoms Might I See If My Cat Isnt Growing

The main thing to look out for in kittens and young cats is a big and lasting reduction in their appetite. You might also see symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. However, if you have an older cat who is losing or failing to gain weight, this could very well be caused by many other conditions with different symptoms. For instance, if diabetes were the cause, you might notice an increase in their thirst and how often they pass urine. If youve noticed that your cat is losing weight or not gaining weight, have a check of their appetite, thirst drive, and litter tray movements before calling the vet.

When Do Cats Stop Growing Is My Cat Fully Grown

For human children, it is believed that they are fully grown and are considered an adult when they turn 18 years old. But what about our feline friends? When do cats become adults? And when do cats stop growing?

There is no simple answer to this question. Different cat breeds and sometimes cats of the same breed may reach their fully grown size at different ages. Read on to learn when do cats stop growing and which cat breeds tend to take more time to reach full maturity.

Before getting to when do cats stop growing, lets first discuss important milestones for growing kittens.

Also Check: Umbrella Plant Toxic To Cats

How To Care For Growing Kittens

According to U.K. charity Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals many things need to be taken into account when caring for kittens, including feeding, appropriate hygiene, grooming, socializing, litter box training and maintaining a suitable environment for cats to live.

Before bringing a young kitten home, it will need to be vaccinated and trained to use a litter box, as well as socialized by introducing the kitten to people and new environments.

Dr. Elliott says you can socialize your cat by introducing them to different types of people from babies to adults, being gently touched and handled, and helping them get used to hearing different sounds.

It is important to also prepare your home by providing toys and space for kittens to move around in, removing hazards and even bringing a blanket from your kitten’s first home to help it acclimatize.

Pet owners must also make sure they consult a vet and get pet insurance to ensure their cat has suitable professional care when needed.

In the early stages of a kitten’s life, from eight to 12 weeks, they need small, regular meals, using similar or the same food to that which they previously ate in their former home.

Dr. Elliott added: “Kittens should have access to fresh water and be given commercial kitten food to ensure their nutritional needs are met.

It is also good at this point to create boundaries and routines for cats to follow, to help them understand good and bad behavior.

Can Kittens Eat Carrot

Kittens shouldnt be harmed by eating a little piece of cooked carrot, but its advisable to offer them high-quality kitten food instead. In order for kittens to grow and develop correctly, they require the right kind of food.

It is also possible that introducing human food to a kittens diet might result in a gastrointestinal upset.

Don’t Miss: Can You Become Allergic To Cats

Monitoring Your Young Adult Cats Weight

As your cat grows older and transitions to adult food it is especially important to monitor her body weight. In order to help your cat maintain a healthy bodyweight, you could try adding wet food to your cats dry food diet. Wet food also has the advantage of much higher water content, which is always good for your cat. You can also try out puzzle feeding toys that stimulating her mentally. Finally, you can also help your cat maintain a healthy bodyweight by regularly engaging in games they love using cat toys to encourage physical exercise.

When Should You Switch From Kitten Food To Adult Food

Since there is no magic age when cats become adults, knowing when to switch your kitten to adult food can be somewhat tricky. For most cats, somewhere in the range of 9 to 12 months of age should be appropriate however, the decision should be based on more than just age.

One of the easiest ways to make sure your kitten is ready for the switch is to speak with an online vet. An online veterinarian will be able to assess your cat and let you know when you can make the transition to adult food. Best of all, the appointment can take place from the comfort of your own home, which means your young cat will not have to experience the stress and anxiety that goes with taking it to an in-person clinic.

Also Check: Bird’s Nest Fern Cats

How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fully Grown

Do you want to know if your cat has fully grown, or does she still has some growing up to do?

From the above discussion, it has become obvious that some cats may continue to grow even after their first birthday, so how de we know if our cats have stopped growing?

You can check by measuring your cats weight and height . If you notice an increase in weight and height, this means that your cat is still growing. After one year, cats grow very slowlyif you are not observant, you might not even notice it.

The Bottom Line On When Do Cats Stop Growing

While kittens will stop growing at about 1 year old, its important to remember that most kittens will look like an adult at 6 months old. For folks considering adoption, maybe a kitten isnt the best fit for their home . That adorable little fluff ball will only boast a juvenile appearance for a very short time. Hell look like an adult cat before he hits his first birthday.

Of course, feeding your cat a healthy diet, always providing a freshwater source, and enriching his environment with plenty of exercise, places to climb and hidey holes to explore will ensure he not only grows big and strong but is the happiest and healthiest he could be!

This piece was originally published in 2018.

You May Like: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food

Do Cats Grow As Adults

Heres an interesting tidbit about growing cats. In general, the majority of cats are thought to be adults when they hit about one year of age. However, your cat may or may not be done growing at that age.

Much depends on the type of cat you have. Different cats grow at different times. And different breeds of cats have different growth rates. You might be surprised to learn that some cats may not stop growing until age four! Maine Coon cats are a prime example of this. They are really large felines, so it makes sense that they take a little longer to stop growing. Some other cats meanwhile might top growing when they reach about a year and a half in age.

When Do Cats Stop Growing

Lynn is a writer and long-time Learning & Development Manager at a large PNW retailer. She’s also mom to 3 dogs & 2 cats!

• Lynn Guthrie
• Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Yep, Heres Why!

If you just got a kitten, you may wonder: For how long can I enjoy this cute little fluff ball? When will he be an adult and how big will he get?

The quick answer is every cats growth is different and may take one to four years. But there are indicators you can use to guess how big your floof will get and how long it will take to get there. They arent foolproof because, in the end, many factors contribute to the final full glory.

Lets dive into kittens and cats.

Read Also: How To Check Cats Heart Rate

When Will My Cat Stop Growing When Are Cats Usually Full Grown

So heres where the wide age variance comes into play:

Cats stop growing anywhere between 6 months and 4 years of age.

Yep, I told you the age gap was enormous. Obviously, Im going to delve a little deeper because you can get a better estimate than just saying 6 months to 4 years, but just keep this enormous age gap in mind because your cat may in fact be one of the outliers, and not at all the norm when it comes to age full growth is hit.

Stages Of Kitten Development

• 2 Weeks By this age, most kittens have opened their eyes for the first time.
• 3 Weeks The ear canals have fully opened.
• 4 Weeks The kittens baby teeth have begun poking through the gums. They can also begin exploring their surroundings and are becoming more mobile and curious.
• 8 12 Weeks By this age, kittens are old enough for their first vaccinations, which means they are now old enough to be separated from their mother, which is why most cats go to their new home at about 12 weeks of age.
• 4 Months The kittens baby teeth are beginning to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. In general, a kitten will have a full set of adult teeth by the time it reaches 7 months of age.
• 5 6 Months Most kittens have now grown enough to be safely spayed or neutered.

Also Check: What Is A Cat’s Normal Heart Rate

Cat Growth Chart And The Growth Of Cats

Cat Growth Chart: Cats are small cats that grow incredibly fast. In just one year they go from weighing around 100 grams when they are born to 2 or 3kg ten months later. But in addition, they are considered adults from 6 or 7 months, because at that age they begin to have heat and therefore if the mating occurs the cat will give birth to their own offspring. With only six months yes.

A grows very faster and if you are cat lover and do your have a cat then you must know about the kitten growth chart because it is necessary to have a look at your pet. Here in our article we are going to share the kitten growth chart weight as per their stages. So check our article and know more about it.

But the growth of the cats does not end during the first year, but in the second and third years their body will expand a little and they will also increase in weight as their development nears its end. Know each stage that your friend is going to spend and enjoy each of them with the camera in hand because time goes by very quickly and you will soon see that your little ball of hair has become a Mr. Cat.

What Can You Do To Make Sure Your Kitten Is Healthy

If you want to make sure that your feline friend has everything it needs to develop happily and healthily, there are plenty of resources out there that can help. For starters, you can speak with a vet at Hello Ralphie to answer any questions you may have about cat ownership and kitten development. Book an online vet appointment today, and a virtual vet will be happy to help you set your cat up for a healthy life!

In addition to a visit with a virtual veterinarian, the following online resources can also be incredibly beneficial, especially for new cat owners:

You May Like: Can Cat Allergies Kill You

Breeds That Mature Slowly

The Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon, and American Bobtail are just here examples of breeds that can take more than the average amount of time to become adults. The Maine Coon, for instance, can take as many as four years to reach full size. Owners of these wonderful breeds get to spend more time with them as children, and the cats tend to be quite large.

Can Cats Eat Carrots: Best Cat Parent Guide

Carrots are crunchy vegetables that people eat as a snack around the globe. This nutrient-packed vegetable has immense benefits to humans but is the case the same for cats? Can cats eat Carrots? Lets find out in the article below.

Carrots are a popular root vegetable that can be eaten raw, cooked, or baked. The majority of carrots are orange, but they also come in purple, white, and yellow. Can you share your carrots with your cat or kitten when youre nibbling on them or using them in a recipe?

Munching on carrots might be a pain for some, while it might bring happiness to others. Carrots have long been known for their amazing benefits and are a great part of our salads during lunch or dinner time. We often cut them in round shape and put them up on our dinner tables for our kids to eat and reap great benefits.

Carrots are a wonderful treat for us, with the tint of sweetness and crunch, carrots are always a great addition to all our meals. As a cat family, you may frequently wonder if this incredible vegetable can be beneficial to your cat the same way they are for you and your young ones.

Do you want your furball in on some remarkable nutrients that carrots provide? Lets find out if carrots are safe for cats, and can cats eat carrots.

Don’t Miss: Blue Buffalo Rabbit Cat Food