When Do Cats Stop Growing? Kitten Growth Stages

Abi
May 22, 2022
11:15 am

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

When do cats stop growing? Newborn kittens are tiny, fragile, and utterly helpless. By six to eight weeks old, your kitten will be old enough to leave her mother, and by six months old, she will probably look like a full-grown cat.

Most cats reach their full adult size by the time they are between six months and one year old. However, some large breeds may continue to grow until they are two years old or even older.

This article will answer the question, ‘when do cats stop growing,’ We’ll discuss kitten and cat growth stages.

When do cats stop growing?

Kittens continue to grow until they are around one year old. They may look fully grown at six months but will likely continue to fill out and gain weight and muscle mass until they are a year old.

However, some large breeds of cats, such as Maine Coons, can take up to three years to reach their full size.

Smaller breeds of cats, such as Siamese, may appear to be fully grown at six months old. Female kittens and cats tend to be slightly smaller and lighter than males.

Related Article: How Many Kittens Do Cats Have?

How cats grow

Kittens are born tiny and helpless. They are unable to see, hear, or regulate their own body temperature and, at this stage, are about the size of a mouse. Their mother’s milk is the only source of nutrition they need for the first four weeks of life.

The first six weeks of life

Kittens’ sense of smell develops quickly, and they can start recognizing their mother’s scent by the end of the first week.

During the second week of life, kittens’ eyes begin to open. At first, they can only see light and dark. By the end of the third week, their eyes are fully open, and they begin to explore their surroundings.

Kittens’ hearing also starts to improve during the second week of life. At first, they can only hear low-pitched sounds. In the third week, their hearing is fully developed, and they can hear all sound frequencies.

Kittens are born without teeth. Their first baby teeth begin to erupt at about three weeks of age. By six weeks old, most kittens have a complete set of 26 baby teeth.

Kittens begin to crawl at around two weeks old. At first, they are unsteady on their feet and often fall over. By three weeks old, they are more coordinated and can walk without falling.

Kittens begin to play with each other and their mother at around three weeks old. At first, their play is rough and may include biting and scratching. As they get older, their play becomes more playful and less aggressive.

Continuing to grow

At six to eight weeks old, kittens are ready to leave their mother and live independently. Most kittens are adopted by families at this age.

They are fun, playful, and extremely energetic.

Related Article: How Many Nipples Do Cats Have?

Kitten stage 0 to 6 months

Cats are considered kittens until they are six months old. They are still exploring their surroundings during this stage and aren’t yet fully grown.

Most cats of this age haven’t yet reached sexual maturity. A young cat can get pregnant, so make sure your cat is neutered if she has access to the outdoors.

Junior stage 7 months to 2 years

Kittens continue to grow and develop until they are around one to two years old, depending on the breed. They will continue to explore their surroundings and develop hunting skills. During this time, you may notice that your cat begins to wander further from home.

Prime 3 to 6 years

At the prime of her life, your cat should be healthy and active with sleek fur. Cats reach full maturity at three years old.

Mature 7 to 10 years

At this stage, your cat has reached middle age and is the equivalent of a 40 to 45-year-old human. Your cat may start to slow down and take more cat naps. You may also notice that the fur on her belly has started to sag. At this stage, your cat should still be healthy and relatively active.

Senior 11 to 14 years

An 11 to 14-year-old cat will start to look older and is the equivalent of a 70-year-old human. You may find that your senior cat is suffering from some common health issues such as arthritis.

Elderly 15+ years

Some cats live for over fifteen years, and longevity is more common in Manx or Siamese cats than in any other breed. It’s not uncommon for cats to live for as long as 20 years.

Can you tell how big a cat will get?

The size of a cat depends on its breed and genetics. Some cats, such as Maine Coons, can grow to be very large. Other cats, such as Siamese, are much smaller.

If you are wondering how big your cat will get, you can ask your vet or look up the average size for your cat’s breed. You can also look at your cat’s parents to get an idea of how big she will be when she is full-grown.

How big should a 1 year old cat be?

The average size for a 1-year-old cat is 15 inches (36 cm) long and 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5 kg). However, some breeds of cats, such as Maine Coons, can be much larger. Other breeds, such as Siamese or Devon Rex, are smaller.

How long do cats live?

Cats typically live for 12 to 14 years, although some may live longer. Factors affecting a cat’s lifespan include diet, genetics, and environment. Cats that are well cared for and live in a safe environment often live the longest.

An indoor cat will live two to three years longer than an outdoor cat. Unfortunately, cats that spend much of their time outdoors will encounter dangers such as toxic plants, traffic, disease, and attacks from other animals.

Simply put, an outdoor cat may use up their nine lives faster than an indoor cat.

Cat ages by breed

Maine Coon: 12 to 15 years
Devon Rex: 9-15 years
Siamese: 15 to 20 years
Ragdoll: 12 to 17 years old
Russian Blue: 15 to 20 years
Scottish Fold: Approximately 15 years
Abyssinian: 9 to 15 years
American shorthair: 15 to 20
Bengal: 12-16 years
Persian: 15+ years

How old is my cat in human years?

Most people say a cat’s age can be calculated by multiplying it by seven, but this is incorrect as a one-year-old cat is not the equivalent of a seven-year-old human.

The first two years of a young cat’s life are spent growing and developing into an adult, so they mature more quickly during this time than a human would.

After they reach maturity at around two years old, their aging process slows down. So, a four-year-old cat is approximately 32 in cat years, whereas a seven-year-old cat is about 44 in cat years.

How can I tell how old my cat is?

The best way to determine your cat’s age is by their teeth. A one-year-old cat will have all of its baby teeth, which it will start to lose around six months after its adult teeth come in. A five-year-old cat will have all of its adult teeth.

You can also look at your cat’s eyes – a one-year-old cat’s eyes will be bright and clear, whereas a ten-year-old cat’s eyes may be cloudy and less bright.

If you’re still unsure, your vet can help you determine your cat’s age.

When do cats stop growing?: Final thoughts

When do cats stop growing? Cats typically stop growing around one year of age, as we mentioned before. Although this can vary slightly depending on the breed of cat. For example, Maine Coon cats may continue to grow until they are two years old or even older.

Of course, even after they stop growing, cats continue to age. And, as they age, they may experience some health issues that are common in older cats. For example, they may develop arthritis or kidney disease.

Fortunately, there are ways to help your cat age gracefully and stay healthy throughout its life. For example, you can feed them a nutritious diet, provide them with plenty of exercise, and have regular check-ups with the vet.

You can help your cat have a long and healthy life by following the above tips.

Related Article: When do cats calm down?

Deals