At What Age Is A Cat An Adult
Introduction
There’s nothing more adorable than a kitten! But when does that cutie turn into an adult? And when is it time to start thinking about senior care for your kitty? Dr. Matt from the San Francisco SPCA helps us know what to expect as our precious pets age.
Anyone who owns a cat (or kitten!) has probably wondered about their furry friend’s life stages. All cats are different, but according to Dr. Matt, most cats reach adulthood at around one year of age. At this stage, they’re no longer growing in size and they’re fully developed in body and mind. Some breeds may take slightly longer to reach full maturity—for example, Maine Coon kittens don’t stop growing until they’re three years old!
When does a cat become an adult?
The question of when a cat is an adult is somewhat tricky. While a kitten may be considered “grown up” by his or her human owners at the age of 12 weeks, the cat himself or herself doesn’t necessarily feel this way.
To understand why it’s so difficult to pin down when cats become adults, let’s look at how big their lives are compared with ours. It takes about 2 years for humans to reach sexual maturity and become physically independent from our parents (adulthood). Cats reach sexual maturity between 6-12 months—but this does not mean that cats are completely independent from their mothers until they’re two years old! At this point in time, kittens are generally able to take care of themselves outside of their mother’s milk supply; however, they still rely on her for protection and guidance until they’re closer to 3 years old. And even then…
When does a cat become a senior?
There are many signs that a cat is an adult, but how do you know when to consider them a senior?
The approximate age for cats to become seniors is about 7 years and older. Senior cats have different health needs than younger cats, so it’s important to be aware of the signs that your cat may be aging.
How do I know if my cat is sick?
There are a number of signs that can indicate sickness in your cat. You may notice changes in their behavior or their appetite, or they may have trouble grooming themselves. Their litter box habits could also change, or they could stop eating altogether. Weight loss is one of the most obvious indicators of illness; while it’s normal for cats to gain weight as they age, sudden weight loss could be a sign that something is wrong.
Are male and female cats any different?
It’s very common to see two-year-old cats that are still kittens. But do you know how to tell if your cat is ready for its adult years? Here are some of the most important ways:
- Male cats are typically larger than female cats. They typically have larger heads, longer tails and bodies, a wider chest and larger ears.
- Female cats tend to have more rounded faces than male cats do. They also tend to be smaller overall than males because they don’t need as much muscle mass in their bodies for hunting purposes (although still strong enough).
Find out when your purrrfect feline friend will stop growing
When it comes to the age of a cat, there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. But if you want to know when your purrrfect feline friend will stop growing, the best way to find out is by looking at their size.
Cats reach full size at about 6 months old, but after that they stop growing for about 1 year and then start losing teeth until they get older. Once they hit middle age (about 7 years old), their fur becomes much softer and less dense—but this can vary depending on the breed of cat you have!
When it comes to cats’ lifespans, there are several factors that determine how long your kitty will live: genetics (including breed) and overall health all play significant roles in how many years your pet can spend with you. But even with all these things considered, it’s still fairly common for cats over 10 years old to live another decade—and some pets have been known to last well into old age!
Conclusion
As long as the kitten is healthy, there isn’t a reason to worry. You can even ask your vet for advice on how to provide the best care for your cat at different ages.