Like all mammals, cats also go through a phase in which they develop into adult animals. A cat’s puberty can sometimes be quite exhausting for owners. In the following, we will explain how puberty affects your cat and how you can support your cat in this exciting phase of his life.
Key facts at a glance:
- Cats start puberty around the third month and males around the fifth month.
- Large cats usually become sexually mature a little later than their smaller counterparts.
- Puberty is noticeable in cats through various behavioral changes.
- When dealing with a growing cat, understanding and patience are very important.
When does puberty start in cats?
Female cats become sexually mature between the ages of six and nine months. The production of sex hormones begins around the third month. Tomcats, on the other hand, become sexually mature at the age of nine to twelve months and reach puberty around the age of five months.
The timing of puberty and sexual maturity can vary by cat breed. With very large breeds, such as the Norwegian Forest Cat or the Ragdoll, it usually takes a little longer, while smaller cats usually reach puberty a little earlier and can therefore have offspring earlier.
Behavioral changes in cats during puberty
Unlike us humans, puberty in cats is not associated with significant changes in size or appearance. Nevertheless, the changes in their hormonal balance lead to changes in their behavior and their voice.
If your cat is going through puberty, this is particularly noticeable through the following signs:
- During puberty, your cat goes through a real emotional roller coaster ride, which can often cause her mood to fluctuate greatly.
- Occasionally your four-legged friend will be particularly listless and will not even be enthusiastic about his favorite toy.
- Clutter and minor damage to the furnishings can sometimes be unavoidable with a pubescent cat in the house.
- Provocative behavior and ignoring the owner are also typical behaviors that indicate puberty in cats.
- Adolescent cats like to test their limits by knowingly disregarding known prohibitions.
- Particularly daring climbs are often just as much a part of pubescent cats as the deliberate provocation of clearly superior conspecifics.
- With the onset of sexual maturity, female cats begin to exhibit behaviors typical of heat.
- Adolescent tomcats begin marking their territory with fetid urine to attract females and keep males away.
In addition, it can often be observed in female cats during puberty that they are increasingly interested in objects such as toy mice, while tomcats suddenly find more pleasure in fighting and romping.
Support cats during puberty
As strenuous as your cat may be during puberty, you should not forget that this development phase is not easy for the four-legged friend either. So be sure to stay calm and refrain from scolding your cat for bad behavior.
If necessary, catnip or special cat pheromones may help calm your growing cat a little. Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice on this subject and it is best to take this opportunity to get direct advice on neutering your cat.