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C ats pass through a series of stages before they fully grow and attain maturity. At some stage, you will realize that your cat is no longer growing at the rate she was growing, or you observe that your cat is not growing at all. This article explains when do cats stop growing.

 

As a new cat parent, this guide not only makes you aware of how your cat is growing but also makes it easier for you to provide every necessity that your cat requires at every stage. Understanding the age at which your cat is fully grown also helps you to appreciate her behavior and characteristics at its old age and determine what exactly you must do to keep her healthy.

This way, you will continue enjoying the bond you have with your cat. It will also become easier for you to determine what to feed her, what kind of activities to give her and so on. For these reasons, it is immensely important that you understand this cat growth guide for the wellness of your cat.

When is your cat fully grown?

It is often difficult to imagine that the cat you had as a kitten some years back is now mature, old and has stopped growing. However, if you are thoroughly versed with cat growing stages, nothing will hit you by surprise. Here are the stages of cat development and what happens at every stage of her development:

1. Kitten stage (0 to 6 months)

This is the initial stage of cat development. It is the most appropriate stage for gradually introducing your cat to children in the home and other pets so that your cat becomes familiar with them. The cat is very playful, thus easier for her to interact and familiarize with every other playful agent at home. If you have to make your cat comfortable with coat and tooth brushing, nail trimming, transportation and carrier training, this is the ideal time.

2. Junior stage (6 months to 2 years)

This stage in cat development corresponds to the stage of adolescence in human development. Signs such as aggression and sexual development begin to manifest. As the childish appearance disappears, the cat starts showing her true temperament and personality. A junior also goes through a growth spurt characterized by an increase in size and weight.

Now your cat looks lanky and eventually begins to fill out. This is the stage where rules should be reinforced. You also need to transit from giving her kitten food to adult food. You can either start to feed her canned food or adult kibble depending on your preference. Be careful not to over-feed your cat at this stage.

3. Prime cat stage (3 to 6 years )

This stage is equivalent to human beings in their 20s and 30s. The cat is at the peak of development characterized by good health and physical fitness. Whichever the size of your cat at this stage, that is how she is going to be for her entire life. Your task is to ensure that she doesn’t grow overweight. Your cat also settles into her adult temperament which varies significantly depending on the individual personality of your cat.

There is a need for regular check-ups. Her nutrition should involve the standard formula for an adult cat. If there are special considerations such as health complications that require special food, that should be considered a special case and her vet should be consulted for an appropriate course of action.

4. Mature stage (7 to 10 years)

This stage is equivalent to man’s middle adulthood. The cat continues to gain more weight but the length and overall size remain the same as the cat in her prime stage. Most cats become more sedentary. However, some remain playful and active.

The risk of developing complications such as obesity and other chronic diseases is high at this stage. For this reason, you need to give your cat as many opportunities for exercise as possible. Also, provide her with an array of nutrients such as Vitamin C and E to help boost her immunity. Nutrients are also vital in helping to maintain your cats shape and health.

5. Senior stage (11-14 years)

At this age, the cat is equivalent to a human being in the 60s and 70s. Senior cats show the signs of aging. For instance, they start to develop white fur and lose luster in their coats. As they continue to age, these features increase. At this age, the cat becomes more predisposed to illnesses due to aging.

Therefore, there is still need for more training and exercise. Regular health check-ups should be maintained as your cat grows older. Therapeutic cat food may be used as an intervention in case your cat shows the need for a more specialized nutritional formula.

6. Geriatric stage (15 years and above)

Changes experienced during senior stage become more evident at this stage. For instance, your cat may experience significant changes in her usage of litter box and vocalization also increases. The need for medical attention increases at this stage.

When do Cats Stop Growing Summary

From the above-discussed stages of cat development, it becomes easier to detect the stage at which your cat is fully grown and no longer continues to grow. Generally, cat growth is marked by different variables such as weight, height, and development of adult behavior. Therefore, in stating the time at which cats stop to grow, it is important to consider these variables.

For cats, there are different breeds which have different rates of growth. This makes it difficult to state the exact age at which the cat stops growing. Generally, scientists and other specialists mostly settle on the aspects of weight and height/length as major determinants of cat growth. When these features no longer increase, then your cat has stopped growing. Additionally, when your cat is able to reproduce, she no longer undergoes an increase in size.

From the above description of the stages of cat development, it can be concluded that cats stop growing at the age of between 1 and 2 years. However, this may vary from one breed of cat to another. Some cats may stop growing earlier while others may stop growing later than the stated time. But the age between 1 and 2 years is the answer to the question of when do cats stop growing.

References

Kitten Growth
Cat Age

 

When Do Cats Stop Growing Infographic