Cat owners watch their cat's growth as carefully and lovingly as a small child. And as is human growth, the growth of cats will slow down and then stop at some point in their lives, so what are the stages of cat growth? And what are the signs that show you that the cat has stopped growing and its body is complete?
The development of cat growth during its life stages
Just like the growth of humans differs from one human to another, the growth of every cat is different from the other. Despite this, most of the most common types of domestic cats go through developmental stages around the same time in their journey to adulthood.
From 3 to 6 months:
At this age of the cat's life, the kitten's teeth begin to fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.
From 4 to 9 months:
At this stage, cats reach the beginning of sexual maturity. Females can be spayed very young, but veterinarians recommend waiting to neuter male cats until they are 5-6 months old.
6 months:
Your cat's rapid growth begins to slow at this point. But the cat's growth continues, and you'll notice that the cat doesn't seem to double in size overnight! As is the case of the cat, which is a kitten.
9 to 12 months:
At this stage, the cat's developmental stage is almost complete, and your cat should be about 95% of its adult size - this is the adolescence stage when your cat's growth is almost complete.
18 months:
Here most cats reach their full size and average 12-14 lbs. "5.5 kg - 6.5 kg" You can now finally determine your cat's full size.
Two years:
At the age of two years, cats reach puberty. Based on how some adult cats still act, "coming of age" might be a misnomer, but two years of age is the point at which these cats become socially and behaviorally mature.
These milestones can also help you estimate your cat's age if you're not quite sure how old he is. Nervous people usually aren't too concerned about marking their birthdays on the calendar, so we're appreciative of whatever help we can get.
Cat growth in male and female cats
Male cats are usually slightly larger in size than females — about 10 to 15 percent larger, according to veterinarians. This means that male cats are often closer to 14lbs and may take a little longer to grow, while many female cats will stay smaller and may reach their full size soon. Of course, these rules aren't exactly set - you probably know that some female cats are obese and struggle when you try to rub their heads.
Does cat growth differ according to the type of cat?
Things may look a little different for small or large breeds. Smaller breeds such as Siamese and Sphynx cats usually have a lower body weight than your average house cat and can reach their full weight at a closer age. Larger breeds such as the Maine Coon that can weigh more than 25 pounds will continue to grow longer than the average cat. It may take 2 to 3 years to reach its full size.
You can consult with your vet about the average adult breed size for your cat and whether they have a set schedule for the rate of growth. This will help you keep track of when your cat has reached adulthood - and when you should switch from kitten food to adult food.
You can find more details about eating cats at the age of one month on the Aleef website
When should you switch to adult cat food?
Most kittens have a whole different taste experience when they're young! They have very high energy requirements up to 6 months of age because their growth rate is so fast. This means that most cats try to get as much nutrition as possible and eat the cat food you know so well! From the age of 6 months to a year, veterinarians recommend offering them three meals a day. So try to get your cat used to the breakfast, lunch and dinner regimen.
At about 10 to 12 months of age it is time to start considering offering your kitten adult food. This estimate may vary slightly if you have a large breed that is still growing or if your cat has grown up and is starting to get a little bit higher-calorie cat food. You can ask your vet to see if they agree that it is time to change your cat's food.
When you're ready to make the transition to adult cat food, be sure to transition gradually. Therefore, it is useful to start adding a little bit of adult food at a time when you reduce your cat's beloved food. After a period of gradual transition it won't be long and your kitten will have a new favorite dinner.
Many cat lovers have the feeling of wishing their cats would stay small! Some also wish that the children remain young and wonderful to play and have fun! But it is important for you - dear cat breeder - to know the growth stages of your cat and watch it go through the different stages of cat growth until it reaches its full growth and its own independent personality.