When Do Cats Stop Growing?

I adopted all of my cats when they were little baby kittens, all ranging anywhere from eight weeks to a few months old.

Since I’ve had them all from a young age, I still remember how adorable, tiny and fluffy they were as babies.

They grew up so fast, I barely remember the transition between kitten and adult cat. I never even thought to do any research and find out when my kittens would truly stop being kittens.

To make sure you don’t miss your cat’s final kitten days, I’ve answered the question for you. So, when do cats stop growing?

Quick Answer…

The age at which a cat stops growing is dependent on their breed, however most cats stop growing around one year of age. The full range can be anywhere from 8-16 months, or up to five years if it’s a larger cat breed.

How Fast Do Kittens Grow?

Since the rate a kitten grows is dependent on their breed, a kitten’s stages of growth can be marked by milestones and what you observe in their progress. You could consult a kitten growth chart, but most young cats develop fairly quickly.

Just like humans, cats go through the various stages of life between when they’re born and one year old. Their baby stage happens from birth until they’re around one or two months old. After this stage, they’re in the “toddler stage” until around six months old. As a “toddler”, they’re clumsy, curious and luckily can use the litter box on their own, and are able to eat solid meals.

Cats hit puberty when they’re around six months old. They’ll hit sexual maturity, which could greatly affect their behavior. From six months to a year old, they’ll be in “teenage” years — they might get a little rebellious, or cause a little trouble, but they’ll soon be adult cats! I know, they grow up so fast, right?

Once a cat is one year old, they’re considered an adult. This means you don’t have to feed them special kitten food, and can even cut back the amount of food you feed them since kittens need to eat more than adult cats.

Although it’s agreed on that cats reach adulthood when they turn one, but when they actually stop growing is pretty dependent on their breed.

When Do Cats Stop Growing?

A cat’s personality is solidified once they’re around one year of age, but their bodies can continue to grow until they’re 16 months old. Or, depending on the breed, they can be growing for up to five years! It’s hard to say exactly when your cat will stop growing, especially if they’re a mix between breeds, but here are the growth cycles for some of the most common cat breeds.

When Does a Maine Coon Stop Growing?

Maine Coons are one of the largest cat breeds, and some don’t stop growing until they’re four or five years old. The typical size for a Maine Coon is anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds, though there’s no guarantee your Maine Coon will reach this size.

I have two Maine Coon mixes I adopted from a local shelter, and they’re both barely 15 pounds. They are much larger than my other cats though, and they’re huge compared to most cats I’ve seen.

When Do Ragdoll Cats Stop Growing?

Ragdoll cats are similar to Maine Coons with their long fur and large eyes. Ragdolls grow in short bursts, which can happen throughout the first four years of their life. When fully matured, these cats weigh anywhere from 8 to 16 pounds, on average.

When Do Bengals Stop Growing?

Bengal cats aren’t one of the largest cat breeds, but it can still take them up to two years to be fully grown. It’s said a Bengal cat can still have kitten-like energy, even when they’re fully grown. Because of this, it’s important to keep an eye on their physical growth to determine when they’ve reached maturity.

When Do Norwegian Forest Cats Stop Growing?

Norwegian Forest cats, also known as Wegies, are another big cat breed. When fully grown, they can weigh anywhere from 13 to 22 pounds, similar in size to the Maine Coon. How long does it take to reach their full size? Up to five years! This is one of the longest periods of growth for domesticated cats.

When Do Siamese Cats Stop Growing?

Siamese cats have one of the most distinctive looks, and most people are able to identify them immediately. A Siamese isn’t considered fully grown until they’re two years old, and their coloring continues to develop throughout their lives. Siamese cats are born completely white and it takes months for their color to start coming in, let alone darken to the point it will be when they’re a “senior” cat.

What Are the Stages of a Cat’s Life?

While the age a cat stops growing depends on their breed, there are six stages of life all cats go through.

Stage 1: Kitten

0-6 Months

At this age, your kitty is learning all about the world and still developing its sense. Kittens grow quickly for the first six months of their lives, and are naturally curious about learning how the world works.

Stage 2: Junior

6 months-2 years

This stage of life is where cats reach sexual maturity and grow to their full size, for the most part. There are exceptions for certain breeds, but most cats will reach full physical and mental maturity within their first two years of life.

Stage 3: Prime

3-6 years

This is the best time of a cat’s life, comparable to a person in their 20s or 30s. In this stage, a cat is at their peak physical and mental state. The cat’s routine will be well-established at this point in life, and they’ll be comfortable with their surroundings.

Stage 4: Mature

7-10 years

When cats hit the maturity stage of their lives, they might become a little less playful and are prone to gaining some weight. Your mature cat might require different nutritional needs to stay healthy, and vet checkups are essential.

Stage 5: Senior

11-14 years

Senior cats show visible signs of age, and will become a bit more lazy than usual. This age is equivalent to a 70-year-old human.

Stage 6: Geriatric

15+ years

While not all cats will reach this stage in life, the ones that do might not even show any difference between a senior and geriatric. My sister’s cat lived to be 18 years old, and he didn’t seem a day over 7!

Regardless of what stage of life your cat is in, cats tend to age gracefully, at least in my experience. They might slow down a little and sleep a few hours more, but they’re still the same kitty you once knew.