Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Yosry
Updated on 1/10/2025
Reading time 4 min.
Overview
Severity: Low
Life stage: All
Cats are known for their quiet and gentle nature, but they can also be much like dogs regarding body size. Cats grow at their own pace and age as humans do. That means you may see your cat mature into adulthood—or not! Here’s how long a cat stays a kitten:
When Do Cats Stop Growing?
The majority of cats are fully grown at 12 months old, but it’s not uncommon for some cats to grow more or less than this. If your cat has been increasing slowly since its first birthday, it may be worth taking a closer look at what is happening with them.
The following information will help you understand how much your pet grows during each year of life and how long it takes them to reach maturity:
When do male cats stop growing?
Male cats typically grow until they are around 10-12 months old, but some males can continue to grow into their teens. Female cats usually stop growing at about 7-9 months and stay that way until they go into heat (or “estrus.”) In fact, female cats tend to become pregnant earlier than males because they have not fully grown out of the baby stage yet.
Kittens born with full adult teeth will be spayed or neutered at 6 months old; this means they’ll be able to go outside without getting pregnant again!
How to Know If Your Cat Is Finished Growing
If you’re concerned about your cat’s growth, there are some things to remember.
- Body size: As your cat grows older, the weight and size of his body will change. A kitten about six months old may weigh only 5 pounds, but by adulthood, he’ll weigh 10 to 20 pounds—a significant increase!
- Fur length changes as well; a young cat might have short fur while an adult has long fur (or none at all). The difference between a kitten and an adult can be seen by looking at their ears: kittens have little tufts growing out of them; adults don’t have these tufts anymore!
- Voice change: You may notice that when they grow up, they sound different than they did when they were younger: older cats usually sound like teenagers rather than children because their voices haven’t changed much since birth (but not always).
How Big Will Your Cat Get?
Cats are small animals, but they can be big depending on their parents. The average weight of a domestic cat is between 5 and 15 pounds. Domestic cats range in size from short-haired (smooth) to long-haired (disordered). Most breeds have a medium-length coat in several colors: black, blue, brown/red, or orange tabby pattern. Some cats have stripes or spots, while others do not have any markings whatsoever except for freckles on their nose pads or paws which may be white instead of black like most non-black breeds if they were born with white fur instead of cream-colored fur when they were young adults.
At what age do cats calm down?
As you know, cats are most active at about six months of age. This is when they become more playful and less likely to sleep all day. They also begin to explore the world around them by playing with toys and other objects that catch their attention.
As your cat ages, she will probably become less active as she gets closer to fully grown (at about 12 months). However, there are some exceptions—for example, some older cats can be very energetic!
Conclusion
Cats grow at a different pace than humans, and they can undergo many changes as they age. Many factors, such as genetics or diet, play into how your cat ages. While it’s hard to predict exactly when a cat will stop growing or begin shrinking, you can keep track of its health by watching for signs of illness or injury as they age!
Our Modern Vet Hospital is located within 2 minute’s walk from Al Manara Dermatology Center near Al Wasl Rd. You can drive here from Al Wasl via Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Wasl Rd.
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Writen by
Dr. Sarah Yosry
DVM
A product of a rich Australian/Egyptian heritage, Dr. Sarah Yosry stands as a testament to the union of diverse cultures and a shared love for animals…
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