Your playful kittens pass through several stages of life before being considered fully grown. But do not allow the appearance to fool you. Some aspect of feline maturity occurs faster in some cats than others.
So, when are cats full grown? According to veterinarian reports, cats are considered to be fully grown when they reach two to four years of age.
However, the major development milestone occurs when they have passed six months. But this does not imply kittens are done with growing mentally and physically.
You’re about to find out when are cats considered fully grown mentally and physically in this guide. Be sure to read through and learn some of the hidden facts about cats.
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When Is Cat Full Grown
The question may sound easy to answer but this is not the case. Cats tend to come in different sizes. It is not wise to judge the age of a feline by use of weight and height measurements.
Once the kittens are fully weaned and litter trained then they are considered to be fully grown. However, it is advisable to allow the kitten to stay with their mama cats.
Weaning among kittens normally starts at the eighth week from birth. This is also the best time to spay or neuter the feline.
According to veterinarians, it is advisable to neuter or spays a cat once they start weighing about four pounds.
At ten weeks, kittens are fully independent of their mother but there is always more room for growth.
Well, cats are always considered to be fully grown after six months to one year. But this depends on the breed of the feline since there are others that grow faster than others.
What is Cat Life Stages?
The cat growth chart normally differs from the human growth chart. According to research, cats have six life stages.
Keep in mind that some cats mature faster than others. The best thing to do is to consult your vet about the age of your feline.
Let’s find out more about the cat life stages now:
Kitten Stage (0 to 6 months)
Kittens’ transition during the first six months in life tends to occur faster than that of human beings. The appearance of major parts is quite easy to spot and they tend to rely more on their mama cats.
The young felines tend to have childish behavior like being playful. Also, meowing nature tends to be too much if the mother leaves them.
Junior Cat Stage (6 months to 2 years)
This is the stage where the feline loses the babyish appearance. The stage of life in humans is known as an adolescent.
The physical and sexual maturity is quite easy to spot under this stage of life. Here the kittens are capable of giving birth.
Prime Cat Stage (3 to 6 years)
The stage of life is where the feline has reached health and physical fitness. Also, their natural adult temperament is settled though it tends to vary from cat to cat.
According to the cat maturity chart, the stage of life is similar to that of the twenties and thirties of human beings. Here, they require regular medical checkups.
Mature Cat Stage (7 to 10 years)
The cat under this life stage tends to look similar to prime-age cats. However, they are highly susceptible to weight gain and obesity.
Besides that, the cat remains to be active and playful. The life stage is equivalent to middle-age humans in their forties.
Senior and Geriatric Cat Stage (11 to Older)
Cats that are between eleven to fourteen years are considered to be senior cats while those more than fourteen are older cats.
Senior cats tend to show signs of aging like skin coat losing luster and growing white fur. On the other hand, both senior and older cats become prone to arthritis or other joint problems.
How about the Kitten Growth Stages?
You’re going to find out more about the indoor kitten growing stages and development milestones when they reach a certain age.
Keep in mind that some kittens grow quicker than others depending on the kind of breed. Let’s dive into the main topic:
Stage one (0 to 7 weeks)
During the first week, kitten eyes are not yet open and they tend to struggle when it comes to sucking tits from the mama cats.
At two weeks, all the eyes are open and they tend to have a significant weight increase when compared to birth weight.
From three to seven weeks, the kitten is quite mobile and this is the best time to litter train. They are still dependent on the mama cat.
Stage Two (7-12 weeks)
This is the perfect time to start weaning though they are still dependent on their mother. We recommend you start with canned cat food before trying out other cat foods.
During this stage, kittens have a lot of energy and they tend to be too playful hence finding themselves in more trouble.
Stage Three (3 to 6 months)
Here the kitten began to lose their milk teeth and some even stop to eat for some time until the other teeth grow back.
The best stage to introduce cat toys so that they can easily lose the excess energy and also break the boredom.
Stage Four (6 + months)
At 10-month-old kitten, weight is similar to that junior stage cat. This is normally a clear sign of how to tell if a cat is full-grown.
Do Indoor Cats Mature Faster than Outdoor Cats?
The issue of cat maturity and growth tend to differ from one breed to another. However, outdoor cats normally mature faster due to the surrounding experiences.
Well, when do tabby cats full grown? According to research, cats continue to grow until they are 18 months old regardless of the breed.
Related Post
Here are some of the related posts you can consider to read:
- Best Cat Food for Older Cats that Vomit
- Can Cats Eat Bread?
- How Long Can You Leave a Cat Alone?
- How Long Do Tabby Cats Live?
Conclusion about Full Grown Cats
Therefore, cats are considered fully grown when they are 18 months old. However, the cat growth rate depends on the breed of the feline.
We recommend you consult your vet about the age of the feline in case you are finding it hard to determine.
Do not get concern when the growth rate of your feline friend is slow when compared to another cat. I hope the guide has been useful. Kindly share your cat growth stories in the comment section below.
Check out this video.
Sources and References
- Cat Feeding Chart. Cornell Feline Health Center.
- Kitten Weight Chart. Ask The Cat Doctor.
