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.

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.

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

In This Article

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.

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.

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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

Age	Weight
Newborn Kitten 1-Week-Old Kitten 2-Week-Old Kitten 3-Week-Old Kitten 4 to 8 Week Old Kitten 9 to 12 Weeks Old Kitten 12 to 16 Weeks old kitten 16 to 20 Weeks Old Kitten 6 Months to Adulthood	1.8 to 5.3 ounces 5.3 to 8.8 ounces 8.8 to 12.3 ounces 12.3 to 15.9 ounces 1.4 to 2 pounds Around 3 pounds Around 4 pounds 5 to 6 pounds 6 to 8 pounds

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

Can you tell how big a kitten will be?

There is no sure way to predict how big a kitten will be when full grown. However, you can get a general idea by looking at the size of its parents. If the parents are large cats, then the kitten is likely to be large as well. Conversely, if the parents are small cats, then the kitten is likely to be small as well. There are also other factors that can affect a kitten’s final size, such as its diet and overall health.

How Much Should 4 month old kitten weigh?

A four-month-old kitten should weigh between two and four pounds. This weight range will differ depending on the size of the kitten’s parents. For example, a four-month-old kitten whose parents are large cats is likely to be on the upper end of the weight range, while a four-month-old kitten whose parents are small cats is likely to be on the lower end of the weight range.

What month do kittens grow the most?

Kittens grow the most during their first few months of life. During this time, they will gain the majority of their adult body weight. After six months of age, growth slows down and eventually stops altogether.

How big is a 8 week old kitten?

A eight-week-old kitten should weigh between two and three pounds. This weight range will differ depending on the size of the kitten’s parents. For example, a eight-week-old kitten whose parents are large cats is likely to be on the upper end of the weight range, while a eight-week-old kitten whose parents are small cats is likely to be on the lower end of the weight range.

How long does it take for a kitten to reach full growth?

It takes most kittens about one year to reach their full adult size. However, this can vary depending on the kitten’s individual growth rate and the size of its parents. Some kittens may reach their full adult size sooner than one year, while others may take longer.

Is my kitten going through a growth spurt?

One way to tell if your kitten is going through a growth spurt is to monitor its weight. If you notice that your kitten is gaining weight more rapidly than usual, it is likely going through a growth spurt. You may also notice that your kitten is eating more during this time. Growth spurts typically last for a few weeks before leveling off.

What is the growth rate of a kitten?

The growth rate of kittens varies depending on the individual kitten and the size of its parents. However, most kittens gain the majority of their adult body weight during their first few months of life. After six months of age, growth slows down and eventually stops altogether.

How long do kitten growth spurts last?

Kitten growth spurts typically last for a few weeks before leveling off. However, this can vary depending on the individual kitten. Some kittens may have shorter growth spurts, while others may have longer ones.

How do you know if your kitten is going through a growth spurt?

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:

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Average Cat Weight – How Much Should a Cat Weigh? Purina.com. Accessed September 26, 2022
Average Cat Weight – How Much Should a Cat Weigh? Purina.com. Accessed September 26, 2022
How Old Is That Kitten? Kitten Progression: At-a-Glance. Alleycat.org. Accessed September 26, 2022
Bauhaus J M. Kitten’s development Milestones: First Weeks & Months. Hillspet.com. Published June 27, 2022. Accessed September 26, 2022

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