Babies get big. It’s just what they do. And kittens are no exception. But when do cats stop growing?
That’s the question we’ll look at below. So in just 2-3 you’ll know how long it will take your adorable tiny kitten to grow into a full size cat.
When Do Cats Stop Growing?
The answer to this is it depends on the cat’s breed.
Just like with dogs, how big they can get will depend on their breed.
Most small domestic cats like Siamese and Tabbies will stop growing when they reach 12 to 16 months of age. However, larger breeds of cats will take even up to 4 or 5 years of age until they stop growing.
Most cats can reach up to 18 inches tall on a paw to shoulder scale and can averagely weigh 10 pounds when they reach their full size.
So how exactly do cats grow? Well to answer that, here is a timeline of the usual growth as well as the life stages of a cat.
Newborn Up To Six Months
This is where you will see the most development a cat will experience. In this stage, they will start out as a newborn baby kitten whose eyes are not yet open and is still attached to its mother. From that start, they will quickly grow into a tiny kitten that loves to play and is hyper all the time!
During this stage, a kitten will gain ¼ to ½ a pound every week. This starts in their early weeks and continues up until weeks 10 to 12. By 6 months, they will grow to have adult teeth.
At this stage, human interaction is also important if you want your cat to get attached to you and not avoid you.
Junior Stages, Six Months up to Three Years
During the stages of 6 months up to a year, a kitten’s growth rate will slow down. At this stage, a kitten can be considered an adult cat by most vets. They will be able to transition from eating food suitable for kittens to adult cat food.
Then, from the first year up to the third year, a cat’s growth rate will be very slow.
At this stage, a cat may be rebellious. However, for a cat to stay comfortable with you, it is important to keep playing with them. This is also the stage where a cat may learn how to reproduce. At this stage, a male cat can impregnate a female cat.
Prime Stages, Three To Six Years
These are the prime years of a cat. Cats that belong to larger breeds may still grow at this stage. However, these years are the prime years of smaller breed cats. Cats at this stage usually hunt for catnip mice or would groom themselves frequently.
Mature Adult, Seven To Ten Years
At this point, your cat is fully matured. They will no longer grow in this stage of life. With proper nutrition and exercise, your cat can stay healthy.
Senior Stages, Eleven And Above
These are the senior years of a cat. They will show signs of aging and may develop various medical conditions. At this stage, they are likely to deteriorate and may lose fur. However, they will remain the same lovely cat that you have taken care of over the last few years.
