Your cat's growth journey

As your kitten transitions into adulthood, you may wonder if he's growing normally. While cat size and development can vary, there are general age ranges when cats typically stop growing. That's why it's important to monitor your kitten's development, as kittens that grow too slowly or too quickly can have health problems in the future.

How big can your cat get? Knowing how big your cat should be can help you monitor her development and make sure she's growing normally and healthily. If you know your kitten's parents, their sizes should give you a rough guide, and if your cat is a purebred, you can check the breed's weight ranges. You can also enter your cat's details into a growth calculator that will predict how big your cat can get.

What can affect your cat's growth? The size of an adult cat can vary depending on many factors, including:

• breed,

• gender, as male cats usually grow larger than females,

• diet, as kittens that do not get the right amount of food may grow more slowly,

• the number of siblings, as competition for food can prevent your kitten from reaching their full growth potential,

• birth order, as your kitten's growth and development may be affected if he was the smallest in the litter.

Growth by Breed Cat breed can affect their size and growth, as larger breeds take longer to stop growing. For example, tabby cats, domestic shorthairs, and Siamese cats typically grow to be 13 to 16 inches long and 11 inches tall, and weigh about 10 to 22 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum, Maine Coons are known for their impressive size, typically reaching about 48 inches long, 20 to 40 inches tall, and weighing about 25 pounds. They can take about four years to reach full maturity.

At what age do cats stop growing? Kittens usually have a growth spurt around six months of age. They can double in size in the first week and continue to grow until about two years of age.

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

• 6 months to 2 years of age - Your cat will grow more slowly but will still gain maturity.

• 3-6 years - Your cat will be fully adult at this age and is considered to be in the prime of his life.

• 7-10 years old - your cat is a mature adult and will probably become less active or have less energy than before.

• 11+ years - Your cat may be less active and play less, and may sleep more. Now is the time to pay closer attention to your cat's health, behavior, and mood.

How to Tell If Your Cat Has Stopped Growing It can be difficult to tell if your cat has stopped growing because the later stages can be slow and gradual. The easiest way to tell if your cat has reached maturity is to measure and weigh her monthly.