Cats are furry and cute companions, but many people don’t know about their life stages. From kittenhood to old age, this article will tell you everything you need to know about the life of your cat.
The Stages of a Cat’s Life
As any cat lover knows, our feline friends go through several life stages, from kittenhood to seniority. Here’s a brief overview of the key stages in a cat’s life, so you can better understand your furry friend’s needs at each stage.
Kitten: From birth to around 6 months, kittens are growing and learning at a rapid pace. They’re full of energy and curiosity, and love to play. At this stage, it’s important to provide them with plenty of toys and stimulation, as well as plenty of love and attention.
Junior: From around 6 months to 2 years, cats enter their adolescent phase. They’re still quite playful at this stage but may also start showing some independence. They may become more aloof or even aggressive at times. It’s important to continue providing them with plenty of love and attention during this stage, as well as patience and understanding.
Adult: Once they reach around 2 years old, cats enter their adult phase. They’re typically more settled at this stage, though they may still enjoy the occasional game of chase or session of Rough-and-Tumble play. Their diet also changes at this stage, as they require fewer calories.
Mature: This is the stage in which the play and physical activity begins to decrease, because they feel tired and it is when we must take care of their feeding, to keep them with energy and avoid illnesses or discomforts.
1. Kitten
Kittenhood is the time when a cat is learning to be independent. They start to wean from their mother’s milk and eat solid food. They also start to explore their surroundings and play with toys. Kittens are very curious and love to play.
During this time, it is important for kittens to socialize with other cats and humans. This will help them to be comfortable around different people and animals. Kittens should also be vaccinated during this time to protect them from disease.
2. Junior
The second stage of a cat’s life is called the junior stage. This stage begins at around six months of age and lasts until the cat is around two years old. During this time, the cat will start to mature sexually and will begin to look for a mate.
Adolescent cats are often more playful than they were as kittens. They may also become more independent and less reliant on their owners. However, they will still need plenty of love and attention from their owners during this stage.
It is important to spay or neuter an adolescent cat before they reach sexual maturity. This will help to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. It is also a good idea to have the junior cat vaccinated against common diseases such as feline leukemia and rabies.
3 Adult
Once a cat reaches adulthood, they are considered to be 3 to 6 years old. At this stage in their life, they are at their peak health and physical condition. They are also more independent and aloof than when they were younger.
Even though they are considered to be adults, cats still need plenty of care and attention from their owners. They should continue to be fed a balanced diet and have regular veterinary check-ups. It is also important to keep their nails trimmed and their fur groomed.
4. Mature
A cat reaches maturity between 7 and 10 years of age, the stage where the risk of developing health problems increases. They begin to present kidney problems, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer, etc. They begin to present symptoms such as poor hair condition, weight loss, vomiting, etc.
That is why it is very important to take care of their diet and make frequent visits to the veterinarian.
It really is a myth that cats have 7 lives, however, they do have a fairly easy time landing without hurting themselves and this can save their lives on occasions when other animals would be seriously injured. But no, they do not have a higher resistance to disease, that is why it is very important to give your cat the necessary care, such as taking him to the vet, giving him attention and lots of love, so he could last you up to 18 years.
