4 months +

Sustained growth period

Adulthood approaches, and the kitten gradually reaches full physical maturity.

Somali adult lying down in black and white on a white background

Tailored nutrition for your kitten

Nutritional formulas that help to build your kitten's natural defences, support healthy growth, and aid in digestive system development.

Kitten products

Adult cat sitting down drinking from a white bowl.

Kitten nutrition explained

Kitten Sacred Birman sitting indoors eating from a white bowl.

Kitten feeding guide by development stage

Adult cat lying down on owners knee while being groomed with a red brush.

Hygiene and grooming tips for your kitten

Two kitten cats one lying down one standing up playing with each other indoors with a brown dog lying down behind.

Tips for training your kitten

Adult cat sitting outdoors in long grass.

When does my kitten become a cat?

Kitten lying on a veterinary table being given a vaccination

Cat vaccination schedule

How to help your kitten stay in shape

Kitten lying on a table being examined by a vet

Should I neuter my male cat?

Young cat lying down on an examination table being checked over by a vet.

When to spay a female cat?

Kitten cats walking outdoors in long grass.

5 key milestones in your kitten's growth

Health

During this period cats begin to scent mark through spraying and rubbing their scent glands on their cheeks against objects, other animals and humans. This is the signal that puberty is starting. Neutering should now be discussed with your vet.

Nutrition

As the kitten approaches physical maturity and gets close to its full adult weight, it will need to transition to adult food and adult portions. The nutritional balance will be dependent on their size and metabolic factors such as whether they are allowed outdoors and whether they’ve been neutered.

Behaviour

As the cat begins to approach physical maturity, there is increased exploration of dominance within the household. This will include challenging the status of humans and other pets. It is important that as an owner you maintain the routines and behaviours set in the early months of its life to ensure consistency and manage stress.

Development

At this stage your kitten will begin to develop 30 adult teeth. By eight months the kitten will have reached 80%of its adult weight. And if it hasn’t been neutered, sexual maturity is reached, and sexual cycles and mating behaviours begin. Depending on the breed, adulthood is reached between 12 to 15 months.

Environment

If kittens have had all their vaccinations and once they reach around 6 months old, you can begin to introduce them to the outside world. A phased approach to this is best. Until kittens are confident in their surroundings, it is best to stay with them when they are outside. When they feel confident they will begin to venture further. As a rule, male cats have a wider range, while females stay closer to home. At this stage, consistent owner behaviour and discipline is important.