Kitten and Cat Growth Chart

A kitten growth chart can help you decide if you would like to add a furry feline to your family. Though most cats average somewhere between 10 pounds and 18 pounds, one pound on a cat can make a major difference in their health. From the short-haired Abyssinian to the long-haired Maine Coon, cats range in size from under 10 pounds to just over 20 pounds, depending on the breed, age, and sex of the cat.

[efn_note]Average Cat Weight – How Much Should a Cat Weigh? Purina.com. Accessed September 26, 2022[/efn_note]

So what is a typical growth rate of a kitten? And how do you know if your cat is her optimal size? We put together a cat growth chart for you to better understand how your kitten will age.

Our kitten to cat growth chart is a guide. Your kitten will grow at a different rate than other kittens due to genetics, breed, and other factors, such as health at the time of birth or abnormalities in growth. The best way to tell if your cat is at an ideal weight, and therefore size, is to use the Body Condition System, developed by Purina and used by veterinarians everywhere.

[efn_note]Average Cat Weight – How Much Should a Cat Weigh? Purina.com. Accessed September 26, 2022[/efn_note]

Always consult with your veterinarian when it comes to the health of your kitty.

Kitten (or Cat) Growth Chart

Stages of Kitten Growth

The stages of kitten growth range from birth to adulthood and include multiple phases, from opening their eyes to socializing. Kittens begin their life deaf and blind but are able to make small sounds to alert their mother. The majority of growing happens in the first two months.

[efn_note]How Old Is That Kitten? Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance. Alleycat.org. Accessed September 26, 2022[/efn_note]

In the first month, your kitty will:

• Open their eyes at about two weeks. During the third week, a kitten’s eyes may change color.
• Become more vocal and begin to purr during the third week of their life. This is also about the time they try to walk, and their teeth come in.
• Begin to play and explore somewhere around the third and fourth week. Kittens will interact with litter mates, other animals, and humans.
• Eat solid food and use the litter box. At about three to four weeks old, kittens can be introduced to wet food and be trained to use the litter box.

In the second month, your kitty will:

• Be full of energy and mischief. Around the fifth week your kitty will start to show some spunk and personality as he grows into his full cat self.
• Need as much socializing as possible. The second month is critical to your kitty’s socialization skills.
• Be more stable on their feet. Your kitty will be less wobbly in the second month as she explores, plays, and socializes. This is also a good time to take to her your veterinarian for her first checkup.
• Begin to exhibit prey behavior. As your kitten explores and plays, he’ll start to stalk, hide, and pounce, as though hunting prey.

When Is a Cat Fully Grown

So at what age is a cat fully grown? At 8 weeks old, or 2 months, your kitten is ready to be fully weaned from mom. Two-month-old kittens weigh roughly 2 pounds and can be neutered or spayed. After two months, your kitten will begin to look more like an adult cat. By the third month, they’re showing behavior similar to adult cats, having learned adult cat skills from socialization with litter mates and mom.

Most cats are fully grown around 1 year old. But like most stages of growth development, cats also go through what is considered adolescence. This phase lasts roughly up to 18 months old.

[efn_note]Bauhaus J M. Kitten’s development Milestones: First Weeks & Months. Hillspet.com. Published June 27, 2022. Accessed September 26, 2022[/efn_note]

How Can You Tell How Big a Cat Will Get?

While different breeds of cats grow at different rates, your cat’s breed and sex will be the best determining factors as to how big your cat will get. Some breeds, like the Maine Coon or Ragdoll can weigh 15 pounds or more when they’re adults. Other breeds, like the LaPerm or Singapura, weigh about 4 to 8 pounds. Monitor your kitten’s growth with the help of your veterinarian.

Cat Growth Chart Weight

Text Transcript of Cat or Kitten Growth Chart

Kittens grow and mature according to their own timeline. Though there are averages to help guide you along the way, always consult with your veterinarian to know whether or not your kitten is growing at a healthy rate. We put together a cat growth chart by weight for you to understand the natural development of your kitten.

Most newborn kittens weigh roughly 2 to 6 ounces. Kittens gain about 2 to 4 ounces per week. So your 3-week-old kitten will probably weigh about a pound. At two months old, your kitten should be about 2 to 3 pounds. And when she reaches six months old, she’ll be close to her adult size at about 6 to 10 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Sources & Resources

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Kitten Development Stages with Growth Charts and Week by Week Guide.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-health/kitten-development-stages-growth-charts-week-week-guide
• The Humane Society of the United States. “Growth and Development of Kittens.” (2017). Retrieved from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/growth-and-development-kittens
• PetMD. “Kitten Development.” (2018). Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/kitten/evr_ct_kitten_developmentWebMD. “Kitten Development Calendar.” (2011). Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/cats/kitten-development-calendar#1

We also have a series of dog growth charts if you’re interested in how K9s are likely to grow:

• Great Dane Growth Chart
• Goldendoodle Growth Chart
• Chihuahua Growth Chart
• Golden Retriever Growth Chart
• Labrador Growth Chart
• Dog Growth Chart
• Mixed Breed Growth Chart
• Rottweiler Growth Chart
• Pit Bull Growth Chart
• Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
• French Bulldog Growth Chart
• Great Pyrenees Growth Chart
• Standard Poodle Growth Chart
• Bernedoodle Growth Chart
• Husky Growth Chart