Cats go through a number of stage s before they attain maturity. You will realize at some point that your cat’s growth rate is slow or your cat is not growing at all.

This article will help you know when cats stop growing. This is not only to make you aware on how your cat is growing but to also help you provide your cat with the necessities your cat require at each and every stage.

It also helps you understand and appreciate the behavior and characteristics at each stage of his life and know what to do to keep him healthy. You will also know what to feed him or the kid of activities to indulge him in.

When is a cat fully grown?

It is difficult to imagine that your kitty is now mature and has stopped growing. If you have followed the growth guide this will not come as a surprise.

Here are the key stages your kitty goes through before it becomes fully grown.

Kitty Stage(Between 0 and 6 months)

Kitty stage is the initial stage of your feline friend’s development. This is the best stage to start introducing your feline friend to children in the home and other pets gradually.

The cat is always playful at this stage and easier to interact with people and other pets and create a bond.  You should feed him with kitten food. This is the ideal time to make your cat comfortable with coat and tooth brushing, nail trimming, transportation and using the water fountain or litter box.

Junior stage (Between 6 months and 2 years)

Junior stage in cats corresponds to adolescence in humans. It is at this stage your cat will start showing signs such as aggression and sexual developments.

As the childish appearance disappears, your cat will start showing his true personality and temperament. The cat will also increase in size and weight. Your feline friends start to look more mature or bigger. Here, you will need to transit from giving him kitten food and use adult food.

You can use either canned food or adult kibble depending on your preference. Be careful not to overfeed you feline friend at this stage.

Prime Stage (Between 3 and 6 years)

Prime stage in cats can be equated to human beings in their 20s and 30s. The cat is at the peak of its growth and he is in good health and physically fit. Whatever sizes your cat is at this stage is how he is going to be for the rest of his life. However, there are factors that can make a cat lose weight at this stage such as illness, improper feeding, etc.

Check how to make a cat gain weight. Ensure that your cat does not grow overweight at this stage. The cat settles into his adult temperament which will vary depending on the personality.

You will need to take your cat to the vet for regular checkups and his nutrition should involve a standard formula for adult vats. In case the cat has health complications, you should consider using special foods and consult the vet for appropriate treatment.

Maturity Stage (Between 7 and 10 years)

Maturity stage in cats is equivalent to man’s middle adulthood. Here, a cat will continue to gain weight but the overall length and size will remain the same as he is in his prime.

Some cats will however remain playful and active. The cat is at a risk of developing complications such as obesity and other chronic disease at this stage. For this reason, try to give your cat as many exercise opportunities as possible. You should also give your cat foods rich in vitamin C and E to help boost his immunity.

Nutrients are also helpful in maintaining the cats shape and health.

Senior Stage (Between 11 and 14 years)

Here a cat is equal to a human in his 60’s and 70 ‘s. Cats in this stage start showing signs of aging. For example the cat may start developing loose luster in their coats.

The features increase as the cat ages. In this stage, the cat will be more prone to illness. The cat also becomes vulnerable to illness. You will still need more training and exercise. Regular veterinary checkup should also be maintained. In case your cat shows need for more specialized nutritional; you can use therapeutic cat food as an intervention.

Geriatric Stage (15 years and above)

The Geriatric Stage is the last stage of a cat’s development. Changes experienced in senior stage become more evident here. The cat may experience significant changes in using the litter box.

Final Thoughts

From the discussion above, it is easier to detect when your cat has grown fully or is no longer growing. Cat growth is marked by varying weight, height and behavior change. These variables are important in stating the time at which a cat stops growing.

Different cat breeds have different growth rate. Cats hit maturity at 7 to 10 years and this vary from one breed to another some will mature earlier and others a little later. In addition, when a cat is able to reproduce, she no longer increases in size.