Adopting a kitten is always a fun process, and watching a kitten grow from a cute little ball of fluff into a beautiful and noble cat is one of life’s great pleasures. Since most cats continue to exhibit the same behaviors they did when they were young, you may be wondering: When do cats stop growing up and become full-grown cats?
When Do Cats Become Fully Adults?
One day, you’ll go from a tiny kitten running around your house to a big cat. It may feel like they’ve grown up overnight, but cats actually go through six life stages, as International Cat Care explains in its CatCare for Life initiative. One way to tell when your cat is fully grown is to look at what category they fall into:
- Puppy (0 – 6 months)
- Young (7 months – 2 years)
- Adult (3 years – 6 years)
- Mature (7 years – 10 years)
- Older (11 years – 14 years)
- Very Old (15+ years)
As with humans, the developmental stages of kittens are counted in weeks and months until they are two years old.
At What Age Do Cats Stop Growing?
At about one year old, your cat is fully grown. Cats reach adulthood as they transition from the juvenile stage to the adult stage. Think of this as your cat in the final stages of adolescence, or young adults in their 20s who are full of energy and enthusiasm.
Pedigree and Mixed Breed Cats
The vast majority of cats are what we call domestic shorthaired or domestic longhaired or mixed breed cats. Each one, regardless of their breed, is beautiful and unique. While there are dozens of breeds known around the world, their sizes do not vary as much as dog breeds. The average cat weighs 4 kilograms. The Maine Coon is the largest cat breed, and males can grow up to 10 kilograms and 40 cm! On the other hand, the smallest cat breed, the Singapura, weighs a maximum of 3.5 kilograms. In addition to being small, the Singapura reaches adulthood later, at around two years old.
Pedigree cats are more prone to health problems than other cats because they are bred from the same lineage. So if you are looking to adopt a pedigree cat, make sure you do your research on the possible health problems and always choose a breeder who does proper health testing. Avoid cats with extreme body features such as very flat faces, weak legs and hairlessness. The quality of life of these cats can be quite low due to their physical characteristics.
If you adopted your cat as a kitten or young cat, you have a good idea of his temperament and social-emotional needs. You also know his favorite sleeping spot and favorite toy. As your furry friend grows, you need to make sure he has a balanced, nutritious diet that’s formulated for his age range, so he can get the vitamins and nutrients he needs. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right food for your cat throughout all the fascinating stages of his life.