Cat science: this is how long it takes cats to grow up

When you bring home a little kitten, you enjoy its cuteness and erratic movements. However, this period passes very quickly as cats grow and change very quickly during their first year. However, it takes a little longer before they reach full maturity. What phases does your pet cat go through during its life?

Babies are said to grow up before your eyes. This is true many times over for cats, as they go through the biggest growth changes in their first year of life. They are teachable creatures, already able to be independent at eight weeks and not completely dependent on their mother’s milk. The following months are the most crucial as they undergo significant physical changes.

Rapid development

After birth, a kitten would fit in the palm of your hand, but each day it grows stronger and develops very quickly. It is reported that it gains about 10 to 15 grams a day. In the first two weeks, kittens are blind, deaf and dependent on their mother’s warmth and milk. They sleep for most of this time. They then become aware of the world around them, interact with their siblings and go through a socialisation process. From about eight weeks to six months they are very playful, inquisitive, learn to hunt and increase in physical fitness. At the threshold of the seventh month, sexual maturity usually occurs and the cats reach adulthood. Hormones and behaviour change, with more defiant and territorial behaviour being typical. However, their physical development is not yet complete.

How long do cats really grow?

Cats usually reach full size between 12 and 15 months. However, this can vary by sex and breed. At this stage, their physical development is halted and they do not continue to grow in size. However,some breeds of domestic c ats need a longer growth period, so they may develop more slowly. Examples include the British Shorthair cat, which reaches maturity between 3 and 5 years, the Chartreux cat, which reaches maturity at around 2 years, and breeds such as the Maine Coon, Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cat between 3 and 4 years.

Be aware that the cat has reached adulthood

When a cat grows up, it doesn’t just mean it loses its kitten cuteness. In fact, understanding when it reaches its final adult size is very important. Especially because of the transition from kitten food to regular food, as your cat requires different nutrients for its development. This is because kitten food contains more fat and protein, as well as different amounts of calcium and phosphorus.