When do kittens stop growing?

When do cats stop growing? In the case of dogs, everything is more or less clear. Let’s take a look. And also try to estimate how big your furry pet will grow.

A brief list of the sizes and weights of the major cat breeds until they are finished growing:

Domestic Shorthair: about 15 inches long, usually 11 inches tall, weighing 12-21 lbs. Growth stops at 12 – 20 months.

Tabby or Siamese: about 13-15 inches long, usually 10-11 inches tall, weighing 11-20 lbs. Growth stops at 14 – 20 months.

Ragdoll: 16-25 inches long, ~10 inches tall, weighing upto 20 lbs. Growth stops at 4 years.

Maine Coons: upto 50 inches long, 8-16 inches tall, upto 25 lbs in weight. Growth stops at 4 years.

Bengals: ~15 inches long, 11-13 inches tall, usually 12-20 lbs in weight. Growth stops at 2 years.

Savannahs: 20-25 inches long, from 10 to 18 inches tall, ~16 lbs in weight. Growth stops at 2 years.

Cat breeds are, of course, disproportionately smaller. But still there are “kids” (Munchkins, Singapore cats), which weigh starting from 3.3-4.0 lbs (1,5-1,8 kg) (a kind of eternal kittens), and giant cats, amazing imagination. Maine Coon, Norwegian Wildcat, Ragdoll – the list is long. Weight of single specimens exceeds 26 lbs (12 kilograms)!

When does a kitten stop growing? This question is asked by so many cat lovers who turn to our editorial office. What is most surprising – there is no easy answer. Kittens grow very quickly, literally before your eyes, up to the age of 6 months. By one year, so to speak, the cat already takes its “finished” appearance – that is, you can conclude how big it turned out. Some breeds grow, as the saying goes, in a “slow” rate. For example, pixiebobs – they are considered “adult” only by three years. At least, so say breeders.

In other words, it’s not a fact that when your cat reaches, say, one year it will completely stop growing. No! Even a little more your pet is quite able to grow. By the way, a cat can “grow up” broader – especially if it has access to food throughout the day and leads a sedentary life. A bloated purr-fly can look big from the outside! Especially in comparison to its “trimmed” congeners!

How big will my pet grow? You don’t necessarily have to choose a big-breed kitten. Great pets are made of kittens, offered by grannies near the subway! We advise to look at the average figures: the average adult cat weighs about 8.8-11 lbs (4,5-5,5 kg) (cats slightly larger than cats). Accordingly, if you have chosen a deliberately large, or, conversely, “small” breed, the figures will come out differently. Some fellow authors are fundamentally mistaken, trying to derive some kind of correlation between the size of the kitten’s paws, his growth and weight. Like, the kitten’s paws are powerful, the cat will be noble! This approach is wrong. It’s genetics, not paw size, that determines how big your kitty will grow. Cats have 19 pairs of chromosomes that are responsible for color, coat length and yes – size!

The best way to figure out what your furry friend will grow up to be is to look at both of his parents. Plus the gender of the kitten, as noted above. A kitty is almost always larger and heavier than a kitty. That’s the whole arithmetic.

Are there any “long-growing” cat breeds? Yes, and we’ve already mentioned the pixiebob. Three years of growth is not the limit. Here we can also include everyone’s favorite Maine Coon – this feline giant takes five years to get in shape. The Guinness Book of World Records has a record of a Maine Coon named Stewie who grew to an impressive 48.4 in (123.1 cm).

We mentioned the “miniature” breeds of cats as well – that’s the other “extreme.” Why are they so small? There are many reasons – genetic mutations, pituitary gland diseases… Again we turn to the Book of Records: the shortest cat in the world is a breed Munchkin named Lilieput – “only” 5.1 in (13,4 cm). Now let’s compare it to Stewie.

How do you make sure that your kitten grows and develops in accordance with her age? Very simple: a balanced and properly chosen food (and small kittens generally need 24 hour feed), clean and fresh water in abundance, plus exercise and exercise. For little kittens, active play! Let your kitten be a kitten – running, jumping, climbing, being curious, actively exploring his surroundings.

Watching your pet grow up

This process is certainly very interesting to watch. Many owners simply can’t tear themselves away from their pets, because you want to remember all the changes in behavior and character. You bet, because the kitten can grow in a matter of months! Yesterday it was badly upright and would fall awkwardly, but today it is a graceful cat that maneuvers swiftly from refrigerator to windowsill.

At every stage of growing up, pets need good nutrition, timely medical care and good physical activity. Only then can the cat grow up healthy and live a long and happy life.

Life stages of a cat

It is customary to divide a cat’s life into several stages, depending on its age: childhood, adolescence, youth, maturity and old age.

Childhood (up to 6 months)

It is during this period that the most dramatic changes occur. In the first month of life, the concepts of sleep and kitten are almost inseparable. At this stage, he is helpless and needs his mother to protect, feed and warm him.

By five months of age, the kitten grows significantly in size. Despite his physical growth, he is still a baby who understands little, but wants to try everything. The pet becomes very curious and agile.

It should be understood that accustoming the kitten to the litter box, scratching post, cot and much more must begin at an early age.

Adolescence (7 months – 2 years)

At six months of age, the kitten looks very different. He becomes graceful and confident. He navigates well in space, but is still playful and curious.

At ten months, he is sexually mature and interested in the opposite sex. It is best to get him spayed at this age, as this will benefit his health. Besides, this way you will not become the culprit of another addition to the army of homeless animals.

But, again, despite its mature appearance, it should not be considered a fully developed cat. The kitten will be growing for at least another eight months.

At one and a half years, the cat stops growing physically. The pet changes dramatically: it becomes mature, majestic, graceful. Stops doing silly things, but still wants to play and spend time with you.

Youth (3 to 6 years)

This is a peculiar peak of a cat’s development: it is healthy, active and socialized.

Maturity (7 to 14 years)

The cat is active, cheerful and full of energy. He now has the wisdom of life, so he is much calmer and more restrained in his reaction to the stimuli and changes around him. Closer to the age of 14, he becomes placid and unruffled.

Older age (from 15 years)

At this time cats become more sedate, more needy of the owner’s care, affectionate and faithful as ever. Older cats are usually less mobile and less curious. Your cat won’t be running around the house, hopping on cupboards or frantically chasing toy mice. Now you’ll need to take the initiative: you can rod your cat or play catch-up.

By the way, decades ago the life expectancy of cats was much lower – 12-year-olds were considered already long-livers. Man has raised the quality of life of pets, and with it increased its duration. By a factor of 1.5 or 2. That’s why today about 37% of domestic cats reach the age of 20. What to say about the record cat, which was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records at the age of 38.

Reyus Mammadli/ author of the article

I have had pets since childhood: cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, chickens, ducks, parrots, aquarium fish and dogs (in the yard). Of course, I constantly encountered diseases of pets and treated them. Glad to be able to share my skills and experience, as well as advice on caring for and adapting these critters and birds.

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