Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Pauline G. Carter
A tabby cat typically takes around two years to reach full physical maturity. However, their mental development continues well into adulthood and they can live for up to 20 years. Here is a timeline of tabby cat growth, from birth to old age.
Birth: Tabby cats are born blind and deaf. They weigh between 3-5 ounces at birth and are completely dependent on their mother for survival. Their eyes will open after around 10 days, and they will start to crawl after three weeks.
At this stage, they are also beginning to develop their sense of smell. Weaning: Around six weeks after birth, tabby kittens will start to eat solid food alongside their mother’s milk. They will continue to nurse for several weeks after this though, until they are fully weaned at around 12 weeks old.
At this point, they should be eating three meals a day of kitten food. Physical Development: By four months old, most tabby kittens have reached half their adult size and weight. They will continue to grow until around 18 months old when they reach full physical maturity.
Sexual maturity is usually reached by six months old for males and eight months old for females though some may take longer depending on health and diet.
A tabby cat’s growth timeline is fascinating to watch. From birth to adulthood, a tabby cat will go through many changes. Here is a look at the typical growth timeline of a tabby cat:
– Birth to 3 weeks: At this age, tabby kittens are very small and delicate. They spend most of their time sleeping and eating. – 3 weeks to 3 months: Around this age, kittens start to become more active.
They begin to explore their surroundings and play with toys. Their teeth also start to come in during this period. – 3 months to 6 months: At this age, tabby kittens continue to grow and develop rapidly.
They become more agile and coordinated. Their coats also start to fill out and they begin shedding their baby fur. – 6 months to 1 year: During this stage, tabbies reach sexual maturity.
They also continue growing in size and strength. At around 9 months old, most tabbies are fully grown adults.
Average Tabby Cat Length
If you’re wondering how long the average tabby cat is, wonder no more! The answer may surprise you. The average length of a tabby cat is about 16 inches, give or take a few inches.
That’s pretty long for a cat, especially when compared to other domesticated breeds. But what makes the tabby so special? For one thing, their unique coat markings set them apart from other cats.
Tabby cats typically have stripes running down their backs and around their tails. Some also have ‘m vest’ patterns on their chests. This distinctive fur pattern is caused by a genetic mutation that occurred centuries ago.
Interestingly, all tabby cats are related to each other – even if they don’t share the same coat markings. So, if you own a tabby, you can consider yourself part of a very special club!
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How Long Do Tabby Cats Take to Grow?
Most tabby cats take around two years to fully grow. However, some may take a bit longer or a bit shorter depending on their specific breed and lineage. For example, Siamese cats typically mature faster than other breeds and can be fully grown by 18 months old.
Conversely, Maine Coon cats often take up to three years to reach full size. So, while there is no definitive answer, most tabby cats will be fully grown by the time they are two years old.
How Big is a 1 Year Old Tabby Cat?
A one year old tabby cat is about the size of a small to medium sized house cat. They typically weigh between 4-6 pounds and are about 18 inches long from nose to tail. While they are still considered kittens, they are much larger than when they were born.
Tabby cats continue to grow until they reach 2-3 years old.
Will My Tabby Cat Get Bigger?
Your tabby cat’s size will depend on its specific breed. Some common breeds of tabby cats include the American Shorthair, British Shorthair, and Maine Coon. Generally speaking, male tabby cats tend to be larger than females.
American Shorthair: Male American Shorthairs typically weigh between 9 and 15 pounds, while females usually weigh between 7 and 12 pounds. British Shorthair: Male British Shorthairs typically weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, while females usually weigh between 9 and 14 pounds. Maine Coon: Male Maine Coons are the largest of the three breeds, typically weighing between 15 and 25 pounds.
Females usually weigh between 11 and 20 pounds. As you can see, there is quite a range in size for tabby cats. The best way to determine how big your specific cat will get is to ask your veterinarian or check the breed standards for its particular breed.
How Can You Tell How Old a Tabby Cat Is?
There are a few ways to tell how old a tabby cat is. One way is to look at the color of their fur. A younger tabby will have brighter fur, while an older one will have duller fur.
Another way to tell how old a tabby is by looking at their eyes. A younger tabby will have brighter eyes, while an older one will have duller eyes. Finally, you can also tell how old a tabby is by looking at their teeth.
A younger tabby will have sharper teeth, while an older one will have duller teeth.
How Baby Kittens Grow 0 – 4 Months | Before and After||Kittens Growing Up| CatsLifePH
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered how fast tabby kittens grow into adult cats, here’s a handy timeline to give you an idea. For the first 8 weeks of their lives, tabby kittens will double in size every week. From 8-12 weeks old they’ll start to fill out and put on muscle, and by 16 weeks old they should be close to their full adult size.
After that, they’ll continue to grow and mature until they’re around 2 years old.