A Guide to Your Cat’s Growth

Photo by Chewy on Unsplash

As your kitten makes the transition into adulthood you may be wondering if they’re developing normally. A cat’s size and development can vary, but there are general age ranges where cats tend to stop growing. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on your kitten’s development, as kittens that grow too slow or too fast may have future health problems.

How big can you expect your cat to get?

Knowing how big your cat should get can help you track their development and make sure they’re growing at a normal, healthy rate. If you know your kitten’s parents, their size should give you a rough indication, and if your cat is a purebred then you can check weight ranges listed for the breed. You could also input your cat’s data into a growth calculator, which will predict how big your cat could get.

What affects your cat's growth? 

The size of an adult cat can vary depending on numerous factors, including:

• breed

• sex, as generally male cats grow bigger than females.

• diet, as kittens that don’t get the proper amount of nutrition can be stunted in their growth. Read our guide to common kitten feeding queries for helpful advice.

• number of siblings, as competing for food could prevent your kitten from reaching their full growth potential.

• order of birth, as your kitten’s growth and development may be effective if they were the runt of the litter.

Growth by breed

The breed of your cat can influence their size and growth, as larger breeds take longer to stop growing. For example, tabby cats, domestic shorthairs, and Siamese cats will usually grow to around 33-40 centimetres long and 28 centimetres tall and weigh around 4.5-10 kilograms. At the other end of the spectrum, Maine Coon cats are known for their impressive size and usually reach around 122 centimetres long, 20-40 inches tall and weigh around 11 kilograms. It can take them around four years to reach full maturity.

What age do cats stop growing?

Generally, kittens have growth spurts up until they’re around six months old. They can double in size in their first week and will continue to develop until they’re around two years old.

• 0-6 months old - kittens grow rapidly at this age.

• 6 months to 2 years old - your cat will grow at a slower rate but still gain maturity.

• 3-6 years old - your cat will be fully-grown at this age and considered in the prime of life.

• 7-10 years old - your cat is a mature adult and is likely to become less active or have less energy than when they were younger.

• 11+ years old - your cat may be less active and playful, and may sleep more. Now is the time to be more closely monitoring your cat’s health, behaviour and demeanour.

How to tell if your cat has stopped growing

It can be hard to tell if your cat has stopped growing, as the latter stages can be incremental and gradual. The easiest way to tell if your cat has reached maturity is to measure and weigh them every month.

Infographic: A cat's growth cycle from kitten to senior, showing the five stages of feline development and the ideal age ranges for kitten, adult and senior cat food.

Adapting your cat’s diet for their life stage

Cats nutritional needs change as they get older, so it’s important to feed them the correct food for their life stage. At ADVANCE™, our kitten, adult and senior ranges are all tailored to provide your cat with the essential nutrients they need to support their health every step of the way. The ideal ages to feed your cat for each life stage are:

• Kitten Food: 2-12 months

• Adult Cat Food: 1-8 years

• Senior Cat Food: 8+ years

A kitten’s early life can be one of the most exciting and rewarding times, and you may find yourself wondering if they’re developing properly. Keeping an eye on their growth and making sure their development is on track for their age will help them mature into a healthy, adult cat. To find out more about caring for your cat, visit our petcare blog. 

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