Cats: at what age do they become adults

2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

For a cat the passage from the first phase to the second of his life is very quick, that is the path that transforms him from puppy to adult. What appears evident is the physical growth that proceeds quickly and settles around the first year of age, but cannot be considered concluded from an emotional point of view. The evolution of his being continues, albeit much more slowly, to finally reach the senior stage or the third age. But let's find out together when this transition occurs and what actually happens.

Cat puppy

Kittens

The Cub faces rapid growth from the first weights of life gaining weight by about 100 grams per week, learning to socialize with the support of siblings and assisted by the mother. The hours of sleep will begin to decrease in favor of playful activities and movement: not only play, fight and jumps, but also exploration of spaces and the home. The change in diet will affect his growth and weight gain, in particular the weaning phase which will allow him to gradually abandon mother's milk in favor of soft and solid food. The formation of bones and muscles will begin to be defined within the first six months with a relative increase in caloric needs.

Physical maturity: from puppy to adult

Kitten

A kitten leaves the infant stage forever when it reaches the sexual maturity, this fundamental passage takes place around six maximum nine months and is equivalent to human puberty. The cat can therefore reproduce while its physical growth will continue for at least a few more months, in fact sexual maturity does not determine the end of physical development, which can continue until the first year of age and often even beyond. By this time he will have reached a point of equilibrium from the point of view of socialization, which will be more articulated, therefore a more defined physical form both as regards the skeleton, bones, teeth and then the hair. The cat will begin to be more independent and autonomous although it may still be small, while the growth path will begin to gradually slow down.

Adult cat: the needs

Kitten

For the well-being of the cat it is important to support him during this new phase of life, ensuring him a diet adequate to his physiological needs, but also to the activities carried out in daily life: whether very active or particularly sedentary or neutered. It is very important to stimulate him from a mental point of view with playful activities and interactions, thus allowing him to vent the stress accumulated during the day. Even the same weight will have to be monitored to prevent a sudden increase or a harmful decrease, by constantly attending the veterinarian who can suggest the most suitable diet for your well-being. Without forgetting the visits, vaccinations and routine checks, which can guarantee him a healthy and long life path.