When Do Cats Stop Growing ? From Kitten To Adult - Understanding Their Growth Stages!

Like the journey of any living being, the growth of a cat has several distinct patterns, beginning from growth to maturity, From a Kittens growth chart it can be understood easily as to how much a cat can grow and for how long. Let us deliberate upon the various stages involved in the growth of a cat, the reasons for their variance in size and the age at which growth usually comes to an end.

Stages of Growth in Cats

1. Newborn or up to two months, (Infant stage)

For the very first weeks of their age, kittens do not eat anything else but their mothers’ milk. At this stage, they are very small, very weak as well as fully helpless without their mother figure. They open their eyes, try to walk and wander around the house at about 2-4 weeks. Around the end of four weeks, kittens start developing milk or baby teeth, and so we can start introducing some solids to them.

2. Two to 6 Months (Kitten Stage)

Between two up to the six months, the kittens undergo explosive growth. Here’s the most demanding time, they are inquisitive actors, ideal for imitation and educational growth through games. About four months, they start shedding the primary teeth, and juvenile teeth emergence begins. In this phase, it is requisite to take the pet in for periodic examinations and vaccinations.

3. Six Months – 1 Year (Adolescence)

By this age, which is about six months, one would notice that kittens are starting to bear a near resemblance to adult cats. Nevertheless, they are still in the growing stages and can be likened to teenage girls, who are testing the limits, and inclining to engage in playful activities. Most of the cats are considered to be stunningly sexually active at this period, which is also the time when one can either spade or neuter them. Such a look almost brings them to their maximum size, still they are not considered full-grown a little older.

4. 1 to 2 Years (Young Adult)

Cats are expected to attain their full size as from the year they are one, however some breeds may continue growing until eighteen months even two years. This also depends on the breed and genetic background. This stage is technically the young adulthood, at this age the active behavior of cats tends to decline as they beautify in their prime years.

Factors Affecting Growth

Breed Apart from other characteristics, breeds of the cat affect growth rates. To illustrate, larger breeds like the Maine Coon breeds take close to four years to grow. In contrast, small breed such as the Singapura reaches adulthood in one to two years. Most large breeds are also more massive and longer while most small breeds tend to be more compact.

Nutrition

A well-balanced diet is very important in the growth of kittens. The best kitten foods do provide minerals and vitamins to promote healthy skeletal and muscular systems. Otherwise, deprivation of appropriate feed may halt the growing process or cause ill-health later on in life.

Genetics

Just like in people, genes have a role to play in determining a cat's size as well as its body shape. Mixed-breed cats can be any size, whereas the size of purebreds is more one-dimensional. Household males are also, on average, a bit larger than females.

How Long Do Cats Continue to Grow?

Majority of cats stop their growth spirt between the ages of 12 and 18 months. By the time they turn one year of age, most cats have attained their peak height and weight, although the bones are likely to grow a little, up to a maximum of 18 months. However, larger breeds such as the Maine Coon may continue to grow in size until they are approximately four years old.

While the average pet cat will tip the scales at approximately 6 to 12 pounds and measure about 18 inches in length otherwise referred to as the standard body size common in domestic cats, there can be extremes because of the factors stated above. For instance, a male breed named Maine Coon can go up to 25 pounds and become almost twice the size of a typical house cat.

Ways to Enhance Your Cat's Growth

Adequate Diet:

Make sure your kitten is on the appropriate food for his or her age and health condition. Adult cats nurtitional provision is different from kittens; therefore, giving them a kitten food avoids malnutrition and delays in growth.

Follow-up Care After Surgery:
Regular vet visits allow for observation of your kitty's growth and development. They can also do a check-up for any underlying health conditions, which may involve all the areas geared towards healthy growth including bones and organs.

Neutering:
Nonetheless, some research seems to indicate that growth patterns may also be altered by neutering the cat prior to the time that it is allowed to mature physically. These few behavioral changes and health problems can be avoided in males through this procedure.

Here are some homemade food options for kittens

• Well-Cooked Chicken and Rice
• Cooked Salmon 
• Boiled, Baked, Steamed,Sweet Potato
• Turkey and Pumpkin
• Well-Cooked Beef and Carrot Stew
• Tuna and Brown Rice
• Fish and Vegetable Mash
• Turkey and Spinach
• Boil Eggs, 
• Pumpkin and Chicken Soup

Note: Home-cooked recipes can maintain a well-balanced diet but proper advice of a vet should be sought to make sure that the recipes do not harm the kittens in any way.

Conclusion

However, this growth may take longer and can even reach 18 months in larger breed cats. Such parameters as breed, nutrition and genetics have significant impact on how much size a cat would grow to. When your cat is still young, it would be great if you would look after it and give its balanced diet so as to enhance its proper development and this will ensure that the adult cat is active and healthy.

Pet owners learn how to work around their cats development due to their understanding of the primary ages of a cat. Be it the age when the owner should change the cat’s diet to adult portions, or the age when the cat should be vaccinated, or the age one starts watching the cat's weight; knowledge aids in enhancing the quality of life of the cat.