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There’s nothing quite like seeing your tiny furball growing up. Except you don’t really see it. ‘Cause it seems that felines go from kittens to full-blown kings and queens of cattos in a glimpse of the eye.
Luckily, there are photographs that prove it’s the same four-legged companion and no one is playing any mind tricks on you.
So this time, Bored Panda has compiled a heartwarming list full of cats before and after growing up that show no matter the age, some things stay the same. And it’s purrfectly wholesome cattitude.
Psst! Be sure to check out our previous post with before-and-after snaps of cats and dogs growing up here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Nimbus Leveled Up From Crinkled Tissue To Supermodel
#2
Chimera Kitten To Cat
#3
Before And After. What A Transformation
To find out what exactly goes with our beloved kittens who turn into full-grown cats in what feels like overnight, Bored Panda reached out to Kate Mornement, an applied animal behaviorist who runs a consulting agency “Pets Behaving Badly.”
Kate told us that generally, a cat is considered an adult and no longer a kitten at 12 months of age or on their 1st birthday. “Many cats are fully grown by this stage, but some breeds, like Maine Coons, aren't fully grown until 18 months to 2 years of age.”
#4
About A Year Ago I Shared A Picture Of Some Kittens I Found Under My House. Here’s An Update
When asked whether growing up fast is something specific to felines, Kate said that “I think this is true of all babies, whether they're human or animal!”
But puppies, just like kittens, grow very quickly also. “You tend to notice the growth more in larger breeds compared to smaller breeds and that's because it's more obvious. Most puppies are considered adults by 12 months; however, many of the large breed dogs, like Saint Bernards and Great Danes, will continue to grow until around 2 years of age.”
#5
3 Years Later And This Little Man Is All Grown Up! Say Hi To Loki
#6
They Grow Up So Fast, Don't They?
#7
Harvey’s Skinny Body Was Found Abandoned In A Ditch, Soaking Wet, And Dotted With Cigarette Burns
He was infested with fleas, anemic, and starving. One look at his little face and I knew had to adopt him. Fast forward 5 years, he’s now a confident, happy, healthy boi with a career in modelling.
Every cat goes through a couple of age milestones until it turns into a fully matured king or queen mouser of the house. According to Nicole Fulcher, an assistant director of the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America, kittens usually stop growing up at around 12 months of age. It’s when their age is equivalent to a 15-year-old person.
#8
How It Started And How It Is Going. Bestfriends
Zlaxcat Youtube 3 years ago
The cat grew up with a good doggie, the cat and dog will be BFF'S forever
#9
This Gigantic, Toothless, Furry Lovebug Has Cost Me More Than A Used Car But He's Gonna Be 3 Years Old Next Month
Zlaxcat Youtube 3 years ago
In my opinion the price is worth it, he's cute and... Happy early Birthday 🎂🎂🎉🎉
#10
Time Flies
However, that doesn’t mean they’re fully grown yet. In fact, your furry companion turns into a full-grown catto at 18 months of age, which is equivalent to a 21-year-old person, says Dr. Fulcher. Although most cats do indeed grow up at a fast rate, and it’s not your mind that’s deceiving you—some felines can take up to 2 years to reach their adult size.
#11
6 Weeks And 8 Months
#12
22 Years And Counting
#13
I Make Him Do "The Circle Of Life" With Me On The Anniversary Of His Adoption
Meanwhile, some of the key milestones for growing felines include: months 3-4 when baby teeth fall out and adult teeth appear; months 4-9 when kittens sexually mature; 1 year and more when kittens reach adulthood.
#14
Theodore's Birthday. 3 Months To 3 Years
#15
Six Months Later... Floofy To Even More Floofy
#16
From Kitten To Cat: Grandma Edition. I’ve Been Bringing Axl To Visit Since He Was 4 Weeks Old - He’s 10 Months Now And She’s His Favorite Person
Only at 2+ years is the cat considered to be a socially and behaviorally mature animal and is fully ready for an independent life of its own. Meaning, they gotta spend their rest of pampered lives sitting on your lap and munching on chicken breast like there’s no tomorrow.
#17
First Time In Her Cat Bed vs. 2 Years Later
#18
Left - 3 Months Old. Right - 11 Months Old. We Also Got A Third Cat In The Form Of His Tail
#19
These Two Have Been Twinning Non-Stop Since Birth
#20
One Year Later
#21
Me When I Was Little And Me Last Winter
#22
The Day We Adopted To Now
#23
Here's My Cat Two Years Later
#25
17 Months Later
#26
From 1 Month To 7 Months
I was about to adopt my very first kitten/cat. Foster family said "don't you want to adopt these two? They'd be so happy together". They were so right.
Cecilia Herrera 3 years ago
Always adopt two when you have a bonded pair available. The kitties will be twice the fun.
#27
Bean Was A Microkitten. Here She Is At 8 Weeks Vs. 5 Years
She has some bone deformities that limit her front leg mobility and is still under 6lbs.
#28
Same Spot, Same Cat, Two Years Difference
#29
Smile Stayed The Same. Size Not So Much
#30
From Meow To Meow
#31
Here’s My Buddy, Thor At 7 Weeks (Day I Got Him) And At About A Year (New Toy Face!)
#32
Melvin: Found In A Trash Heap In June 2012. He Spent His First Night Sleeping On Me. Six Years Later, It’s Still His Favorite Place To Be
Cecilia Herrera 3 years ago
Bless you for rescuing this furry fellow. May you have many more good years together.
#33
Since July 2019, The Table Has Inexplicably Gotten Smaller
#34
This Is Pepina. 5 Months And 1 Year Old, She Became Lion In Meantime
#35
From A Little Floof To A Lot Of Floof
#36
From Kitten To Cat
#37
Seasons Keep Changing And Stanley Keeps Growing
#38
I Rescued The Cat Off The Street. Photos Before And After. One Year Difference
#39
I Found These Little Dumplings Under My House Four Years Ago. I Love Them So Much
#40
Pic Of Me And My Cat In 2001 Vs 2021
#41
My Sweet Mia - 5 Weeks To 3 Years
#42
Hecate And The Case Of The Amazing Shrinking Stuffie
#43
Some Things Never Change
Gemmila Cadd 3 years ago
Did you forget to put the second picture? They look the same. Maybe there are some differences that I'm missing.
#44
Fluffy To Fluffier
#45
My Best Friend At 1 Month And Again At 3 Years. Some Things Never Change
#46
Shamelessly Using My Cake Day To Show Off My Boy Howdy! 10 Weeks To 7 Months
#47
Ziggy (Left) And Marcel (Right)
#48
Have You Ever Look At An Old Photo Of Your Kitten And Wonder "What Happened??" Mimi And Mochi 8 Months Later
#49
Willow At 3 Days Old Vs 3 Months Old
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
I am a vet tech, got Loki when she was 10 ish days old. She passed away in 2019 at 16 years old. Emmet was 3 weeks old when we found him. He's now 6 years old. I don't really have any grow up pics of Finn, he was full grown when he adopted us. Emmet-and-...bcb0e0.jpg 
DDmaybeandor 3 years ago
Loki looks so dapper in his little top hat. Ready for St. Patrick's Day too!
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Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
I am a vet tech, got Loki when she was 10 ish days old. She passed away in 2019 at 16 years old. Emmet was 3 weeks old when we found him. He's now 6 years old. I don't really have any grow up pics of Finn, he was full grown when he adopted us. Emmet-and-...bcb0e0.jpg
DDmaybeandor 3 years ago
Loki looks so dapper in his little top hat. Ready for St. Patrick's Day too!
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