Cats are small felines that grow incredibly fast . In just one year, they go from weighing around 100 grams at birth to 2 or 3 kg ten months later. Furthermore, they are considered adults from 6 or 7 months old, as they begin to experience heat cycles at that age, and therefore, if mating occurs, the female cat will give birth to her own offspring. Yes, at just six months old.
But a cat's growth doesn't end in its first year. In its second and third years, its body will broaden slightly, and it will also gain weight as its development nears completion. Learn about each stage your friend will go through and enjoy each one with your camera in hand, because time flies, and you'll soon see your little ball of fur grow into a handsome cat.
Stages of the cat's life
Below we detail the different stages of growth that your cat will experience throughout its life. In each one we will explain the changes that occur in their body and behavior so that you know at all times how your cat is growing.
First month
Kittens are born blind and deaf . They depend on their mother for body temperature, food, and hygiene, as she helps them relieve themselves. At this early age, they recognize the scent of their mother's saliva and use their sense of smell to follow her, although this sense won't be fully developed until around three weeks of age.
At around two weeks old , they will open their eyes and begin to explore their surroundings, albeit unsteadily, as they won't be able to walk properly until they are 17 days old. For now, they stay close to their mother, who will not hesitate to defend them against anyone necessary. Therefore, at this stage, if you live with dogs, it's best to never leave them alone with the kittens.
At three weeks old , you can begin weaning them by giving them canned food (preferably natural). This is also a good age for them to learn to use a litter box , as they can do this on their own. You can teach them by gently placing them in the litter box after each meal; you'll see how quickly they understand that's where they need to go.
At four weeks old, they begin to play with each other, jumping over their mother and nipping at one another. At this stage, they learn to control the force of their teeth , as they can sometimes hurt each other.
Second month
With functional eyes and ears, the ability to regulate their body temperature, and an immense desire to explore everything, a very important stage begins: socialization . Little by little, their mother will stop nursing them, so the kittens will have to learn to be somewhat independent. At this age, it will be time for the animal to have contact with humans . We will have to pick them up gently and give them caresses and affection so they associate us with something positive (affection), since these cats are not expected to be afraid of people, but quite the opposite.
They'll be ready for adoption at eight weeks old . But you should know that they're very active and playful, which your furniture might not appreciate. However, if they have a scratching post available, there shouldn't be any problems.
Between the third and sixth month
At this age, the cat is "already" a cat. It has everything it needs to prepare for adulthood. It doesn't need its mother to survive, and it's very likely that it will start wanting to go outside , something we will only allow if we are completely sure that it won't be in any danger.
Female cats will go into heat around 6 months old . If you simply want a friend, a companion animal, it's highly recommended to spay or neuter them (both males and females) around this age. Although it can be done between 4 and 6 months, it's best to wait until 6 months to avoid developmental problems (especially in males). Furthermore, allowing your cat to roam will prevent it from coming home with an injury or, if it's a female, with a surprise (pregnancy).
From the sixth month to the year
Now you have an adult cat! You might think he sleeps too much, but you should know that they love to play, especially at night. Yes, they are nocturnal animals, so if you want him to sleep through the night, you'll have to take advantage of the times he's awake during the day to play with him and tire him out. You'll find many types of toys on the market , such as ropes, laser pointers, plush toys… Choose the ones you think he'll like best, and have fun with your furry best friend!
From the first year to three
During this stage, the cat will finish developing and begin to exhibit adolescent behaviors. It's common for them to do whatever they want during these years , even disobeying commands. Despite their size, they're still little kittens who love to play and get attention, something they always manage to achieve, right?
From three to seven years
Gradually, you'll notice that your cat isn't as playful as before. They'll spend a lot of time sleeping (around 14 hours a day), and their behavior will become even more territorial . In fact, after this age, it's difficult (but not impossible) for them to accept a new cat into their territory, which, by the way, is your home.
From seven to twelve years
From the age of seven, a cat begins to age. They become even more sedentary and calmer. Your feline friend will spend a lot of time resting and not so much playing. Of course, they'll still play occasionally, but as they approach their senior years, they won't have the same desire to chase toys.
From the age of twelve
Your cat is getting older. You'll notice a decrease in their appetite and a decline in their senses. Skin changes may occur , they may develop hyperthyroidism , and their claws may grow excessively long due to lack of use. They spend less time grooming themselves, which will soon show in their coat, which will lose its shine.
A cat's lifespan is about 25 years. But regardless of how long it lives, if you give it care, attention, and above all, lots of love, it will become your best friend.
How old do cats grow?
How long do cats grow? As we've seen, cats are felines that grow very quickly . In just one year, their bones and muscles will reach adulthood. This means they'll certainly be ready to 'see the world' or, if they can't go outside, to be a grown man.
We'll notice his behavior gradually changing . His desire to play will still be strong, but as time goes on, he'll prefer a cuddle session to more active play. But remember, this doesn't mean we shouldn't play with him; it simply means we won't see him running around with the same energy as when he was a puppy.
But even though it's recommended to feed them adult cat food (kibble) from their first year, their development won't be complete yet . While their skeleton develops during the first few months, from the second year onwards we'll see them fill out and broaden. This is when their muscle mass finishes developing. This development can last more or less time, depending on the animal's final size and breed, but it generally ends around three years of age.
From then on, and from my point of view, we will have a truly adult cat, in every way.
When do you start seeing and hearing a cat?
Generally, it takes between 9 and 16 days . The ability to hear and see appear almost simultaneously. If we focus on the eyes, they will initially be blue, but as the days go by, their final color will become defined, which can be a greenish, brownish, or yellowish hue depending on their genetics.
His ears, which were attached at birth, now open and begin to be useful to the kitten. Thanks to them, little by little the sense of balance will dominate, as it is located in the middle ear of each ear.
What is the body mass of a cat?
The weight of the cat will increase as it grows. Therefore, below we will tell you what the average weight is:
- Newborn: 100 grams
- First week: 115-170 grams
- 2-3 weeks: 170-225 grams
- 4-5 weeks: 225-450 grams
- 2 months: 680-900 grams
- 3 months: 1,4 kilos
- 4 months: 1,8 kilos
- 6 months: 3 kilos
From half a year of life and until he reaches twelve months of age, between 100 and 150 grams are added approximately per month. But there are many cats that will not finish their growth until after two years, which will be when they have reached their maximum weight which is about 4 kilos on average.
Knowing the different stages of kitten growth can help you a lot to understand its development. So we hope this article has been helpful to you.