A very popular question amongst cat owners is when do cats stop growing? The answer is not straight forward because although a cat is considered an adult at 12 months, they will continue to grow and develop.
The amount and rate at which they grow also depends upon the breed of the cat, as well as a number of different factors that can affect a cats growth such as their diet as an example.
Inside of this article we will answer the question of when do cats stop growing in-depth, including the life cycle of a cat, breed examples, and factors that will affect a cats growth.
What Age Is A Cat Full Grown?
There is no straight forward answer to this question because every breed of cat will grow very differently and can range from anywhere between 18 months to 5 years. Take a look at a few examples from the table below.
Cat Breed Size And Growth | ||||
Breed | Fully Grown | Length | Height | Weight |
Bengal Cats | 1-2 years | 13-16 inches | 11 inches | 10-22 pounds |
British Shorthair | 3-5 years | 16-22 inches | 14-22 inches | 7-18 pounds |
Ragdoll | 4 years | 15-26 inches | 9-11 inches | 8-20 pounds |
Savannah | 2-3 years | 20-25 inches | 10-19 inches | 12-20 pounds |
Maine Coon | 4-5 years | 48 inches | 8-16 inches | 25 pounds |
When Do Kittens Stop Growing?
Although they will still have some filling out to do, a kitten generally stops growing at around 12 months old. If you compare it to a human, a 12 month-old kitten is the equivalent to a 15 year old teenager.
At 18 months-old a kitten is considered fully-grown and the equivalent to a 21-year-old human. At this stage the growth will be at a much slower rate, and may continue for a number of years depending upon the breed.
Although growth and weight is breed specific and can change depending upon different factors (more on this below), here is a general guide on a kittens growth.
When do kittens stop growing | |
Age | Weight |
0-7 days | 4 ounces |
7-10 days | 4-6 ounces |
10-14 days | 6-8 ounces |
14-21 days | 8-12 ounces |
4-5 weeks | 12 ounces - 1 pound |
6-7 weeks | 1 - 1.8 pounds |
8 weeks | 1.5 - 2 pounds |
12 weeks | 3 - 5.5 pounds |
16 weeks | 5.5 - 7.5 pounds |
6 - 12 months | 8-15 pounds |
Can You Tell How Big A Cat Will Get?
As well “When do cats stop growing?”, another popular question is “how big will my cat get? Give or take a few pounds, the average domestic cat will weigh around 10 pounds.
One exception to this is the Maine Coon who is one of the largest cat breeds and can weigh around 20pounds. A lot of cat owners believe there is correlation between a cats paw size and how big they will grow, but this isn’t accurate.
A cats genetics determine how big they will grow. Size, hair length, and coat are controlled by 19 pair of chromosomes. A great indicator to determine how big your cat will get is to look at your kittens parents.
The Life Cycle of a Cat
Let’s take a look at a general breakdown of a cats life cycle.
Kittens (0-6 Months)
This is the earliest phase where your kitten will experience rapid growth and development in a short space of time.
- Nutrition is extremely important.
- They learn to clean themselves and use a litter box.
- Very active and love exploring the environment around them.
- Their mother will correct bad behavior.
- Their immune system is low so contact with other kittens should be avoided.
- Education is important such as playing with toys and showing them where to sharpen their claws.
Adolescent (6-12 Months)
Early adolescence is the stage where a cat reaches sexual maturity and reaches close towards their maximum size. Experts agree that at the 12 month mark, a kitten becomes an adult and they will completely be off kitten food.
- Never hit your cat.
- Set boundaries if they are naughty.
- If they ignore you, don’t worry. They will still take in information even if they do not acknowledge you.
- Do not feed them human food.
- Reward them with treats for good behavior.
Adult (1-7 Years)
This is the stage where you cat is fully developed and are set in their daily routines.
- Your cat will be comfortable with their surroundings.
- Gain weight easily.
- A quality diet is crucial for your cats health.
- Brush their teeth and coat on a regular basis.
- Less playful than when they were kittens. Daily play sessions are important for exercise and to build a great bond.
Senior (8 Years And Above)
Once your kitty reaches the age of 8, they will be classed as a senior cat. When they reach this stage, a bit more care and consideration in their lifestyle is needed. Here are some tips and things to be aware of:
- A lower calorie diet is important since they will become less active.
- Adapt the environment: This is important due to cats suffering from arthritis and other things related to old age. Consider making the litter box and food bowls more accessible.
- Have their blood tested annually.
- Become more lazy.
- They will groom themselves less.
Factors That Affect a Cat’s Growth
As previously mentioned, there are a number of factors that can affect a cats growth:
- Diet: A kittens growth will be stunted if they do not receive essential nutrients and minerals through properly formulated kitten food.
- Neutering or spaying: A cats size will be effected if you have them spayed or neutered.
- Bone deformities or defects: If your cat has some kind of deformity such as dwarfism, then this will affect their growth. Diet also plays an important role in this which is why we have it as the first point above.
- Abandonment: A young cat who has been abandoned will have their growth stunted due to lack of nutrition.
Provided by caredicat.com
When Do Cats Stop Growing Conclusion
As you can see, there are general guidelines to the question of when do cats stop growing?, but this will vary depending upon diet, breed, and each cat being unique. As long as you are feeding them a well-balanced and nutritional diet, giving them lots of love, and making sure they exercise, then just enjoy each stage of their life.
