Every cat lover has witnessed a cat grow from a young kitten to an independent adult cat. During this process, the cat not only changes in size, but also undergoes many interesting changes in personality and behavior. This article will take you through the 6 major changes from kitten to adult cat, and let’s walk into the growth diary of a cat lover!
1. Increased vigilance and fear of strangers
As cats grow older, their vigilance gradually increases and they become more afraid of strangers. When cats are young, they often don’t recognize humans and like to be close to people. However, as they grow up, cats will gradually become afraid of strangers and will quickly hide once strangers enter the home. This change may have something to do with the personality the cat inherits from its mother, as well as what they experienced while growing up.
2. Changes in expression, body posture, and coat
From kitten to adult, a cat’s expression, body shape, and coat will change. Cats usually have innocent expressions when they are young, but their eyes become sharp as they grow older. In addition, unneutered male cats will have thicker cheeks and larger faces under the influence of male hormones. The color and pattern of long-haired cats’ fur will also change. The fur on the chest of long-haired cats is very gorgeous.
3. Changing teeth
Cats begin to lose their teeth around 3 months after birth, and their permanent teeth will grow in around 6 months after birth. During this process, cats will experience the loss of deciduous teeth and the growth of permanent teeth. Although the teething period lasts only a few months, it is an important stage in a cat’s growth.
4. Reduced amount of play
As cats age, the amount of play they play will gradually decrease. Cats like to move around when they are young and play with all kinds of things. However, as cats grow older, they will gradually become calmer, become bored with toys, and play less. This doesn’t mean that cats no longer need to play. Proper play can help strengthen cats’ physical strength.
5. Abdominal relaxation
When the cat is about 1 year old, the cat’s abdomen will become obviously saggy. This sagging, known as “bubble skin” or “private makeup bag,” begins to become noticeable around the age of 1 and becomes puffier as we age. This relaxation helps the cat make more agile movements and avoid fatal injuries even if the critical abdomen is attacked.
6. Estrus
Female cats reach sexual maturity and go into heat for the first time when they are 6 to 12 months old. During estrus, there will be unique behaviors such as loud chirping and coquettishness. Male cats reach sexual maturity when they are 7 to 9 months old, begin to urinate backwards and mark, and respond to the female cat in estrus and come into estrus. Estrus is a natural stage in a cat’s growth process, and it is also an important process for cats to reproduce.
Summarize
From young kittens to independent adult cats, cats go through many interesting changes as they grow. These changes reflect not only the cat’s physical growth, but also changes in their personality and behavior. As cat lovers, we should cherish every moment we spend with our cats and witness every moment of their growth.
Original article author：Shit Shovel Officer，If reprinted, please indicate the source.：https://www.petcatanddog.com/article/10284.html