A kitten growth chart provides a way to record and track details of your pet's development through some of her most critical life stages. You will be amazed at how quickly a kitten grows into a full-size adult cat.
Using the Kitten Growth Chart
You can use the growth chart to track your kitten's weight as she develops. Download the chart by clicking on the image and you can edit, save, customize, and print it. If you have any issues, see these helpful troubleshooting tips for Adobe printables.
Cat Growth Chart Specifics
To make the most of his handy printable, keep these points in mind.
- Because kittens put on weight rapidly during the first few weeks of life, the chart tracks weight weekly from one to eight weeks of age. It then moves to track weight milestones at 10, 12 and 16 weeks of life.
- At 16 weeks of age, most kittens can be spayed or neutered and are considered to have entered "puberty." At this point, your kitten should be about half his adult weight.
- Be sure to note the date each time you weigh your kitten.
- There is an average weight row at the bottom meant to give you an idea of what your kitten's weight should be at each age. Keep in mind that this is the weight for an average cat.
- If you have a special breed, particularly a larger breed like a Maine Coon or a smaller breed like a Siamese or a "dwarf" cat like a Munchkin, these average weights should be adjusted. Talk with your veterinarian or breeder to determine your breed's healthy average weight gain as a kitten.
- Male cats are often heavier than female cats. Male kittens may be up to 40 percent heavier than their female littermates.
- The chart tracks kitten weight as this is the best indicator of a kitten's and adult cat's health. Body size, such as height and length, are not as critical to a veterinarian as they are not as indicative of any health issues.
- You may want to measure their height if you want to provide your kitten with cat trees and other places to jump on. These should be a safe height your kitten can easily reach.
Kitten Growth Progress
Each week of a kitten's early life is a new stage in their development. It's important to make sure that your kitten is displaying normal behavior and biological changes week by week. In general, an average size kitten will double her body weight during her first week of life. She should gain ¼ ounce to ½ ounce of body weight per day until her fifth week of life. At five weeks, the kitten should weigh around one pound and her weight will slowly increase after that until she reaches her full adult weight around nine to 12 months of age.
Problems With Kitten Weight
If you notice that your kitten's weight seems too high or too low, consult with your veterinarian immediately.
Underweight Kitten
An underweight kitten may harbor a health condition which requires veterinary attention, such as fleas or worms. It's possible you may also be underfeeding her as kittens have higher nutrition needs than adult cats.
Overweight Kitten
If your kitten seems too heavy, you may be overfeeding her. You will need to adjust her diet or you could cause her to have diarrhea or cause damage to her liver.
Tracking Your Kitten's Weight With a Growth Chart
A kitten growth chart shows you the important changes occurring in your kitten's early development. It can help you to make sure your kitten is healthy, and your veterinarian will appreciate the extra information you provide.
