Guest post from Omi.
Adding a kitten to your family is a pleasurable experience. You also need to keep track of their growth so you can be sure they are growing up healthy. Knowing how to track their growth, as well as when something might be not quite right helps you feel secure about your kitten’s well being.
Tracking Growth
Begin by weighing your kitten. For newborn kittens, weighing them daily helps confirm they are gaining weight at an appropriate rate of 10–15 gm daily average. When kittens are about one month to four months old, weighing them weekly is adequate.
When they are four months to five months, weighing them once a month should be sufficient. It is also a good idea to measure kittens body length and height roughly every few weeks if you want to gain some perspective about kittens development.
As a person who has cared for a Maine Coon, I can tell you from experience that their growth rate is different from other breeds, in that Maine Coons tend to keep growing consistently over a period of up to three, sometimes even four years, which is definitely longer than the usual cat.
What I found rewarding was observing their growth progress—the paws of a tiny kitten seemed big, and in time evolved into the paws of a grand, gorgeous feline.
The gradual and steady weight gain was the other thing that stood out, certainly compared to other breeds. After the kitten phase of up to seven months, they could gain weight as little as 100-200g a month. Tracking each phase of growth in a journal also gave you an early indication of what was normal for such a big, gentle cat. Their exuberant playful nature, climbing ability and their slow-maturing personality types, made each stage of development seem special and noted.
What’s Normal?
For healthy kittens, trusting that they will generally show steady, and reasonably consistent weight gain, especially in the first six to twelve months of life.
Growth is not always consistent, you may see some brief spurts and some brief plateaus in development, these periods are often related to life changes such as weaning, teething or developmental milestones.
Watching for developmental milestones such as opening their eyes, learning to walk, and playful behavior can also help you gauge their wellbeing.
Tools to Monitor Physical Growth
- Digital Kitchen Scale
If you have a kitten or small cat, a digital kitchen scale (with accuracy to the gram) is best. Use a container or simply just place your cat on a towel, then record the weight each week (or month for adults). It allows you to monitor ongoing progress and pick up on the initial signs of being underweight or overweight. - Growth charts and journals
A printable or digital growth chart provides a way for you to plot your cat’s weight over time and track major milestones in their life. Pet health journals are available as apps or printable templates on the Internet allowing you a method for storing records for veterinarian appointments. - Tape Measure
Although weight is a key factor in growth, measuring your cat’s body length and chest girth is another option for identifying abnormal growth patterns or swelling (along the way—which might indicate separate health issues). - Use Mobile Apps
There are several pet care applications that are available besides the popular ones that allow you to log your cat’s weight and track vaccine schedules, and set reminders for feeding and checkups. - Veterinary Assessments.
Regular veterinary office visits are still the most accurate way to assess your cat’s health and physical development, and to receive researched based advice related to your cat’s specific breed and lifestyle.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be alert if your kitten stops gaining weight or suddenly loses weight, as this can signal health issues. Changes in behavior like lethargy, limping, or loss of appetite should prompt a prompt visit to the vet. Physical signs such as swollen joints or difficulty moving are also cause for concern. Early veterinary intervention is crucial if you notice any of these symptoms.
By regularly monitoring your kitten’s growth stages and behavior, you’re not only ensuring their health but also creating a record of their early life that you’ll cherish. Remember, steady progress is the goal, and when in doubt, your veterinarian is your best resource.
More: Kitten Development
