When Do Cats Stop Growing

If you’ve ever wondered when your kitten will stop growing, you’re not alone. Cats go through several growth stages from birth to adulthood, and their rate of growth can vary depending on factors like breed, diet, and overall health. Understanding these growth stages can help you better care for your cat as they transition from a playful kitten to a mature adult. This guide explores when cats typically stop growing, what factors influence their size, and what to expect as your cat matures.

What Are The Typical Growth Stages of Cats

Cats go through distinct growth stages from birth to adulthood, with each stage marked by physical and behavioral changes.

Kittenhood (0-6 Months)

Kittenhood is the most rapid period of growth. During the first six months, kittens grow quickly, doubling or tripling their size in just a few weeks. They gain weight steadily, develop motor skills, and begin exploring their environment. By six months, most kittens have reached about 75% of their adult size.

Adolescence (6-12 Months)

During adolescence, growth slows down but continues steadily. This stage is marked by sexual maturity, which typically occurs around six to nine months of age. By the time a cat reaches one year old, they are close to their full adult size, though some may continue to grow a bit more.

Adulthood (1-7 Years)

Adulthood is when most cats reach their full size and weight. By the age of one to two years, most cats have stopped growing, though some larger breeds may continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about three to four years old.

Old age (over 7 Years old)

Older cats' metabolism slows down and their digestive ability declines, so cat food with easily digestible high-quality protein and low to medium fat should be chosen. In addition, senior cat food may add antioxidants and other ingredients to help cats slow down aging and improve body resistance. 

When choosing cat food, the formula label should be read carefully to ensure that the cat food is appropriate for the cat's current life stage. For cats with special health needs, special formulated cat food can be chosen to meet their specific nutritional needs. Regular consultation with your veterinarian and adjusting the diet plan according to your cat's specific health condition and activity level are important measures to ensure your cat's long-term health.

What Factors Influence Growth

Several factors can influence how quickly and how large a cat grows.

Breed

Breed is one of the most significant factors in determining a cat’s growth rate and final size. Larger breeds, such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, naturally take longer to reach full maturity compared to smaller breeds.

Diet

A nutritious diet is essential for healthy growth. Kittens require a diet rich in protein, fat, and essential vitamins to support their rapid growth. Poor nutrition can stunt growth, while a balanced diet can help a cat reach its full potential size.

Health

A cat's overall health can also impact its growth. Chronic illnesses, parasitic infections, or malnutrition during kittenhood can hinder proper growth. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy lifestyle are crucial for optimal development.

Genetics

Genetics play a key role in determining a cat's size. If a cat's parents are large, it’s likely that the cat will also grow to be large. Conversely, cats from smaller parents may be smaller as adults.

When Do Cats Stop Growing?

Criteria for determining when a cat stops growing

Cats usually stop growing around the age of 1 year, which is equivalent to about 18 years of age in humans, right in the middle of adulthood. After this, the cat's body is basically set and will not change much. Specifically for different breeds of cats, small cats have a shorter growth cycle than large cats, while large cats may not stop growing until they are about a year old. 

In order to accurately determine whether a cat has stopped growing, you can observe the following aspects.

• Weight gain

After one year of age, a cat's weight gain is mainly fat and muscle gain rather than bone growth. 

• Changes in body shape

After one year of age, the cat will have a fuller body shape, but there will be no significant change in bone size. 

• Diet and Activity Level

As the cat's metabolism slows down with age, if the diet and activity level remain unchanged, a steady increase in body weight can be used as a reference for stopping growth. 

Regular monitoring of the cat's weight, body size as well as diet and activity can help determine whether it has stopped growing. If in doubt or concerned about your cat's growth and development, you should consult your veterinarian for professional evaluation.

What Other Factors Can Aid in Determining Whether a Cat Has Stopped Growing?

In addition to weight and size, the following factors can also assist in determining whether a cat has stopped growing.

• Dental development

The development of the cat's teeth is usually synchronized with the growth of body size, and the teeth of adult cats should be fully developed with no trace of baby teeth.

Also Read:  Cat Teeth: Feline Dental Health

• Sexual Maturity

Sexual maturity in cats usually accompanies the end of growth. The age of sexual maturity may differ between male and female cats, but most cats reach sexual maturity around 1 year of age.

• Behavioral Changes

As cats age, their activity level and play behavior may change, and adult cats may be more inclined to rest and sleep.

• Coat Condition

An adult cat's coat should be smooth and shiny. If the coat is found to be dry, rough or with a lot of shedding, it may indicate a health problem.

• Muscle and Bone Development

Adult cats should have well-developed muscles and a stable bone structure with no signs of further development of growth plates (epiphyseal plates).

• Appetite and digestion

An adult cat's appetite may be relatively stable and digestion and absorption should be mature and efficient.

• Behavior and Socialization

Adult cats may have more stable social behaviors, and they may have variations in their adaptability to environmental changes and in their interactions with humans.

By looking at a combination of these factors, it is possible to more fully assess whether a cat has stopped growing. Regular veterinary checkups are also important to ensure your cat's healthy growth. 

What is It Like When a Cat Reaches Sexual Maturity?

 Female cats

will exhibit cyclical estrous behavior, usually every 14-21 days, with the estrous period lasting 3-6 days. During estrus, the female cat's vulva will swell and may ooze fluid, and her behavior will show restlessness, decreased appetite, and may emit specific yowls. 

Male Cats

Sexually mature male cats will show territorial marking behaviors, such as urinating anywhere, as well as showing a stronger interest in the female cat during estrus, and may have behaviors such as howling. 

Changes in reproductive organs

The testicles of male cats will develop and mature and begin to produce sperm; the ovaries of female cats will ovulate periodically in preparation for conception. 

Behavioral Changes

Sexually mature cats may become more clingy, pampering their owners and rubbing their legs. 

These characteristics are obvious signs of sexual maturity in cats, indicating that they have the ability to reproduce. When cats become sexually mature, pet owners need to pay special attention to management to prevent unplanned breeding and consider whether to carry out de-sexing surgery.

Are There Any Special Nutritional Formulation Recommendations for Cats Before They Stop Growing?

To ensure your cat receives adequate nutrition to support healthy growth before they stop growing, consider the following nutritional formula recommendations.

• High Quality Protein

Cats require high levels of protein to support muscle and tissue development during the growth phase. Foods that contain a high percentage of animal protein, such as chicken, fish and lamb, should be chosen.

• Calcium and Phosphorus Balance

Calcium and phosphorus are vital for healthy bones and teeth. You should ensure that your cat's diet contains the right amount of calcium and phosphorus to promote healthy bone development. 

• Essential Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial to your cat's skin and coat health and should be included in the diet. 

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• Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as B vitamins, are vital to your cat's overall health. Minerals such as iron, zinc and copper should also be included in your cat's diet.

• Foods that are easy to digest

A kitten's digestive system is not yet fully developed, and easy-to-digest foods should be chosen to ease the burden on the digestive system.

• Nutritional supplements

During the cat's rapid growth period, consider adding nutritional supplements specifically designed for kittens, such as goat's milk powder and nutritional cream, to provide additional nutritional support. 

• Avoid overfeeding

Although nutrition is important, excessive protein intake may be taxing on your cat's kidneys. Appropriate protein intake should be determined based on the cat's age, weight and activity level. 

How to Gradually Reduce Food Intake to Avoid Obesity in Cats During the Cessation of Growth Period?

The gradual reduction of food intake to avoid obesity during the cessation of growth period in cats should be gradual to ensure that the cat's metabolism is able to adapt to the change in food intake. The following are the specific steps.

• Consult the veterinarian

Before adjusting the food intake, the veterinarian should be consulted to determine the ideal weight of the cat and the calorie intake required to maintain health.

• Gradually reduce the amount of food

According to the veterinarian's advice, you can reduce your cat's food intake by 5-10% per day until you reach the amount of food required to maintain the ideal weight. This gradual reduction helps to avoid hunger or metabolic problems in cats. 

• Monitoring weight changes

During the adjustment of food intake, the cat should be weighed weekly to monitor the progress of weight loss. If the weight loss is too fast or too slow, the food quantity should be adjusted. 

• Provide high quality food

Choose high-protein, low-fat cat foods that provide essential nutrients while controlling calorie intake. 

• Increase exercise

Encourage your cat to engage in more activities such as playing and using the cat climbing frame to help increase energy expenditure. 

• Feed at regular intervals

Changing to smaller meals with more frequent feedings can help your cat maintain a sense of fullness while controlling total calorie intake. 

By following the steps above, you can help your cat maintain a healthy weight during the cessation of the growth period and avoid the health problems associated with obesity. It is important to be patient and to continually monitor your cat's health throughout the process.

What are the Differences in Medical Checkups for Cats at Different Life Stages?

The focus and content of the physical examination of cats will be different at different life stages to adapt to the changes in their growth and development and health needs.

Kitten

Key checks: infectious diseases (e.g. feline distemper, ear mites, ringworm), parasites, trauma and vaccination status.
Recommended check items: physical examination, blood routine, feline distemper check, skin check, ear check, stool check, etc.

Also Read: My Kitten Eats My Older Cats Food

Young and strong cats

Core Ideas: Preventive measures, regular screening for genetic risk diseases and early asymptomatic diseases, assessment of feeding practices and prevention of obesity and dental calculus.
Recommended checkups: routine blood tests, biochemical tests, X-rays, ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, etc. Depending on the cat's specific situation, infectious disease screening and vaccine resistance testing may also be required.

Elderly cats

Physical examination focus: shift to metabolic diseases and organ function testing.
Recommended checkups: basic body condition tests, blood tests, biochemical tests (including comprehensive blood and urine tests), X-rays, ultrasound, etc., as well as cardiopulmonary function tests.
The frequency of medical check-ups will also increase with the age of the cat, and older cats may need a comprehensive medical check-up every six months. Regular medical checkups help to identify and address health problems in a timely manner and improve your cat's quality of life.

FAQs

How to Convert to a Diet Suitable for Adult Cats Based on Their Age?

Determining the age to switch diets

Cats usually reach sexual maturity around 1 year of age, which is when they stop growing. At this age point, a cat's nutritional needs change, so it's recommended that you start thinking about converting to a diet suitable for adult cats when your cat is 1 year old. An adult cat's diet should focus on maintaining a healthy weight, providing essential nutrients, and meeting the energy requirements of their daily activities.

Methods of switching diets

Switching diets should be done gradually to avoid discomfort to the cat's digestive system. This can be done by gradually increasing the proportion of the new food over the course of a week while decreasing the proportion of the old food. For example, the proportion of new food can be increased to 10% of the diet on the first day and then increased by 10% each day until complete conversion to the new adult cat diet is achieved.

Precautions

When converting the diet, the cat's reaction should be closely observed, including appetite, defecation and any allergic reactions. If the cat has problems during the conversion process, the veterinarian should be consulted promptly. In addition, different cats with different health conditions and activity levels may require individualized diet plans, and your veterinarian can provide professional advice.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your cat switches to a diet that is appropriate for his or her adult life stage at the right time, thereby maintaining his or her long-term health and well-being.

How to Determine the Approximate Timeframe for Your Cat to Stop Growing Based on Their Breed?

Depending on the breed of cat, the timeframe in which they stop growing will vary. Large cat breeds such as Maine Coons may take longer to reach full maturity, while smaller cat breeds may reach adulthood earlier. Generally, most cats will reach full adult size between six and twelve months, but this timeframe can vary depending on the breed. For example, leopard cats may begin to stop growing at around eight months. 

As a pet owner, understanding your cat's breed characteristics and general patterns of growth and development is essential to providing proper care and nutritional support. During your cat's growth period, special attention should be paid to providing high-quality food and necessary nutritional supplements to support healthy growth. Meanwhile, regular veterinary check-ups can help monitor your cat's growth progress and identify and address any health issues in a timely manner.

How Often Do Cats Get Physical Exams to Confirm Their Growth?

The frequency of medical check-ups for cats should be determined by their age and health condition. For kittens under 1 year of age, they may visit the veterinary clinic more frequently due to the need for vaccinations and de-sexing surgeries. Adult cats (1 year to 7 years old) are usually recommended to have annual checkups to monitor their health and prevent potential diseases. Older cats (over 7 years old) are recommended to have a physical examination every six months as their body functions begin to decline, so that age-related diseases can be detected and treated in a timely manner. 

Physical examination items usually include physical examination, blood examination, urine examination, fecal examination, electrocardiogram, X-ray or ultrasound, etc. Specific items should be selected according to the cat's individual needs and the veterinarian's recommendations. Through regular physical examination, health problems can be detected early so that appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures can be taken.

Do Cats Require Different Amounts of Protein at Different Life Stages?

Cats do have different protein requirements at different life stages. Kittens need more protein to support their growth and development during the rapid growth period, and the protein content should be 35-40% in the cat food. Adult cats have relatively lower protein requirements and protein content should be 30-35% of the cat food to maintain a healthy body weight and organ function. Older cats require more protein to maintain muscle and overall health due to slower metabolism and decreased muscle mass, and protein content should be 28-32% of the cat food. Pregnant and lactating cats have an increased need for protein to meet the nutritional needs of the mother and fetus or kittens, and the protein content should be between 38-42%. These differences in requirements are due to the physiological changes and nutritional needs of cats at different life stages. 

Conclusion

Most cats reach their full size by the time they are one to two years old, though larger breeds may take a bit longer. Understanding the growth stages of your cat can help you provide the best care as they develop from a playful kitten into a mature adult. Factors such as breed, diet, health, and genetics all play a role in determining when your cat will stop growing. By ensuring your cat receives proper nutrition and regular veterinary care, you can support their healthy growth and enjoy their companionship for years to come.