When Do Persian Cats Stop Growing? What Affects Their Growth

Initially, when I first brought home two Persian cats, I was unaware of the age at which they reach their full growth and stop growing more.

Therefore, out of curiosity I started my research and finally got my answer.

And after spending more than five years with them, raising them, caring for them, I surely know more about Persian cats than before, especially when they should be considered fully grown.

So, when do Persian cats stop growing? It is usually around the age of two that Persian cats stop growing. Unlike the majority of the cats that usually reach their maximum size at an age of 9 or 12 months, Persian cats reach their maturity a bit late. To reach their usual medium size and weight range, Persian cats take around 24 months.

To be able to take proper care of your feline friends, it is important that you know about them in detail, especially about the time or age by when they should become fully grown.

Knowing about when they stop growing becomes crucial as it helps in determining whether your furry friends are growing properly or not or whether they are suffering from any health issues that are interrupting their natural growth.

Read on to know more about Persian cats reaching their full size.

A Detailed Insight Into When Persian Cats Stop Growing

The Various Development Stages Of Persian Cats

Every cat breed has a different rate of growth. The baby Persian cat that you have brought home or planning to bring home will not stay a little fur ball always. It will grow. And after a certain time, it will reach its maximum size, achieving its full growth.

But it is not necessary that it will grow at the same pace as other cats. Due to the uniqueness of their breed, Persian cats achieve adolescence and reach their maximum growth slower than other common domestic cats.

To better understand when Persian cats stop growing it is important to know about the various development stages they grow through to reach their maximum size. Therefore, let us have a look at their development stages here:

• 0 to 2 months: This development stage being the most vital in any cat’s life, the baby cat needs to be with its mother to receive the necessary nutrients and care to survive and grow
• 2 to 6 months: During this stage, the Persian kittens require a lot of attention, since this is the age when they are handed over to new owners and switch from liquid food to more solid based foods
• 9 to 12 months: During this development stage the majority of the already adolescent cats reach their full size, but not the Persian cats. Rather, this is the stage when the Persian kittens become adolescents
• 1 to 2 years: While most cats reach their full-grown size and adulthood within 12 to 18 months, it is during the development stage of 2 years that Persian cats finally stop growing more. This development stage is considered to be their last one as by 2 years of age their bones and skeletal structure grows fully

Remember, throughout these various stages in the development process of Persian cats, the cats not only grow in size or physical appearance but also evolve in their temperament and maturity.

Each stage is very much unique and plays a significant role in ensuring the complete growth of the cats, later in their final stage of development.

When Do Persian Cats Stop Growing

Persian cats take longer to fully mature and reach their full-grown size. On average, they stop growing when they reach the age of 2 years.

During this time, they reach their average maximum weight which is 7 to 12 pounds, a height of around 8-10 inches or 20-25 centimeters and a length of around 14.5-17.5 inches i.e. 37-44 centimeters.

Though the growth of cats is more or less similar for all domestic cats, there are some variances where the age of full growth may differ. Remember, the bigger the cat breed, the longer it takes to reach its full size.

When it comes to Persian cats, they are medium-sized cat breeds with heavily built massive bone structures and due to the masses of long hair, appear bigger than they really are.

Yes, Persian cats do take around 2 years to reach their fully developed and grown selves; but it does not mean that they will stop growing altogether. By the age of two years, their bones and muscles reach maximum growth level.

But even after that, these cats may continue to pack on fat and become obese, especially due to overfeeding, lack of activity and a sedentary lifestyle.

How Big Can Your Persian Cat Grow

The Persian cats always sport a deceptive look. Yes, it is their long flowing fur coats that make them look a lot bigger than they really are. Their fluffiness gives them the appearance of a large cat.

But, Persian cats are actually medium-sized cats that are certainly bigger than the average domestic cats but not the big or large cat breeds.

Usually, a fully grown Persian male cat in perfect health weighs around 9 to 13 lbs, while a fully grown female Persian cat weighs around 7 to 10 lbs. For a Persian cat to become fully grown, it takes around 18 months to 2 years.

Factors Contributing To The Growth Of Persian Cats

Though there is a certain age by which a Persian cat stops growing, factors like their DNA make-up, their breed, their environment, their daily nutrition also plays a crucial role in determining whether the cat will reach its full growth by that time or not.

For example, if your cat comes from a shelter, then it may be the case that it fails to reach its average size by the time its maximum growth should occur, as sheltered cats often experience stunted growth due to the lack of nutrition they suffer from during their early months.

In case your Persian cat does not reach the weight, height or length it should before it stops growing anymore, take it to a vet to know for sure whether it is because of its genetic structure, health issues or lack of proper nutrition.

Related Questions

Are Persian cats calm or active? Unlike other active cat breeds, Persian cats tend to be affectionate, relaxed and clam. They are not only gentle, quiet, and easy-going but also like to mind their own business and stay content with living on their own. Due to their docile and calm nature, Persian cats make great loving companions.

Do Persian cats love cuddling? Persian cats are known to be great lap cats that are extremely affectionate towards their owners and like to snuggle every now and then. Though Persian cats are also playful at times and curious as well, they love to cuddle and sit at their owner’s lap due to their undemanding and restful nature.

What is the life expectancy of Persian cats? In captivity, usually, the life expectancy of Persian cats is around 10 to 17 years. However, the lifespan of Persian cats depends on various factors, such as their genetic makeup, breeding heritage, their diet and food they receive, their water intake, neutering, spaying, and overall healthcare.