Why is my cat not growing?

If there's one thing that characterizes a cat, it's their rapid growth . In just one year, their weight increases from a mere 100 grams to 2-3 kg. During this first stage of our feline friend's life, the food we give them will influence their weight and health as an adult. For this reason, it's very important to provide them with a high-quality diet so that their bones and muscles develop in the best possible way.

But sometimes, their growth can stop. So, if you're wondering why your cat isn't growing , I'm going to tell you the possible causes and their treatment.

Reasons why the cat does not grow

Food

I'm going to talk to you first about food. It's the most important thing, especially when it comes to kittens. These animals are carnivores , which means they eat the meat of other animals. Many of the commercially available kitten foods sold in supermarkets or pet stores aren't suitable for them, even if they claim otherwise. Why?

Basically, because cats don't eat grains , and these cat foods contain them. Corn, wheat, flour, and other animal byproducts (beaks, paws, etc.) that they wouldn't eat if they knew what they were. What happens? They add flavorings to make the food appealing to them.

When a cat is fed an unsuitable diet, its growth may not be adequate. Therefore, whenever possible, the ideal is to feed it either a natural diet or a kibble that contains 70% or more meat and is free of grains and by-products.

Mother's health

If the mother was raised on the streets, she may have suffered from severe hunger or contracted a parasitic disease. As a result, her kittens will be born thin and/or infested with parasites. These parasites live in the intestines, feeding on what the kittens eat , which stunts their growth.

If your kitten isn't growing and has a swollen belly, it most likely has parasites. You can give it Telmin Unidia syrup , a medication sold in veterinary clinics, for five days. The dosage is 1 ml/kg, and it's very effective against intestinal worms.

The kitten is sick

There are many diseases that can stunt a cat's growth, such as distemper or feline leukemia. A cat's body tries to fight these illnesses, expending all its energy to stay alive. Therefore, if you suspect your cat is sick—for example, if it vomits, has diarrhea, isn't eating, has seizures, or seems lethargic—you should take it to the vet as soon as possible for examination and treatment.

How is the growth of a cat?

The image above shows how a cat grows. However, this is just a general guideline , as large breeds like the Maine Coon can take up to two years to reach their full size.

Cat breeds that grow little and stay small

There are many different breeds of cats and it will depend on each one of which the cat can grow more or less. Each breed or cat can have different characteristics compared to other cats, but also an interesting characteristic in some breeds: cats and female cats do not grow very large and when they are adults, their size is quite small, some do not weigh much more than four! kilos!

The Russian Blue Cat

These cats are the largest within the categories of small cats that do not grow. This is so because they naturally have fine bone and small shape. The problem they have is that they can easily get obese because they love to eat. That is, they can weigh a little more than 5 kilos, but not because it is a big cat, but because it can become a fat cat if its diet is not taken care of.

Singapore cat

The Singapore cat is the smallest cat in the world and takes up to two years to reach its adult size, so it feels like you have a kitten for a long time. Its ears and eyes look very large compared to its body. But they have tons of energy and are very intelligent!

Peterbald the cat

This cat may have a soft, barely visible coat. Although they are lean, they tend to be very muscular, making them heavier than most of the other cats on our list. Peterbalds love to give and receive affection, so scratch behind their giant ears, he will love it!

Devon Rex Cat

The cats of this breed consider them as mystical animals and they are also quite mischievous. When they are adults, they weigh only 2 to 4 kilos and have a very small nose. They are called goblins for their looks and personality, but they are actually very adorable little cats, don't expect it to grow up because it won't!

American Curl Cat

"Curl" means "curl" in English and this cat has this name because its ears are pulled back as if they were curled. When their ears are born they are rare and then they start. Having folds that look like they turn into bear ears instead of cat ears. Its size is small so as a whole, it is very adorable.

Cornish rex cat

Cornish Rex cats are slender and thin cats, although they also look muscular. It is a very agile and athletic cat that is always ready to jump and play. But it will seem that it is weaker due to its small size, but nothing could be further from the truth!

The Toybob cat

These cats are small and have a short, stubby tail. They appeared in Russia and are known as cats with expressive eyes and are friendly. They have a compact body and are very small and adorable.

Japanese Bobtail Cat

Japanese Bobtails are elegant and strong, and their pom-pom tails only add to their charm. Super soft and silky, they can have short or long hair and are small. They can be restless, so expect fewer cuddle sessions and more playtime with one of these kittens.

Munchkin cat

The Munchkin cat is characterized by its short legs (similar to those of a dachshund). Some cat enthusiasts think that continuing to breed felines with such short legs is uninteresting, while others are perfectly fine with these tiny kittens, so be careful if you start a conversation with an experienced cat breeder.

I hope this article helps you to know the possible causes for which a kitten stops its growth. In case of doubt, or if you see that the little one is not feeling well, take him to the specialist.