Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is my cat so small?” Maybe your cat is not as big as others, or someone said your cat is tiny. You might wonder if this is okay. It’s normal to love your small cat just as much as a bigger one.
But it’s good to know why your cat is small. Sometimes, it’s nothing bad, but other times, it could be a sign of a problem. We will talk about six reasons that can make a cat small. Some are simple, and some are serious. If you think something’s wrong, it might be time to see the vet.
Six Reasons Why Is My Cat So Small
1. Breed
Just like some dogs are made to be a certain way, some cats are made to be small. People make certain kinds of cats to look and be a certain size. For example, Maine Coons and Savannah Cats are types of cats that are usually big. But there are also very small types of cats.
Cats like the Singapura and the Munchkin are famous for being tiny. And when these small cats have kittens, those kittens can be even tinier than most cats that live in homes.
2. Poor Nutrition Or Diet
If a kitten doesn’t eat good food, it might not grow as big as it should, especially if it didn’t eat well when it was very young. Nowadays, it’s rare for a kitten to not grow enough just because of bad food because the food for kittens you buy at the store has to have the right stuff in it, as the AAFCO says.
But if a kitten doesn’t get enough food or the food isn’t right for him, they might not grow properly. For example, kittens need protein to make their muscles work well and be strong. They also need calcium and enough food energy to help build strong bones and to have the power they need to grow up.
3. Dwarfism
Some very tiny cats might be small because they have a special condition called dwarfism. Dwarfism makes their bones grow in a way that’s not normal, which can make the cat look different. Some types of cats can have this condition more often, and some are even made to be like that on purpose, like the Munchkin cat.
There’s also a type of dwarfism called achondroplasia, which happens because of a change in the cat’s genes that decides how long their bones should be. This change makes the cat’s bones stop growing too soon, so they end up being smaller with shorter legs than usual for their kind.
If you think your cat might have dwarfism because it looks a certain way, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet. The vet can check for signs of dwarfism in your cat.
4. They’re Female
Boys and girls in many animal types often look different. This is also true for cats. Usually, boy cats are bigger and weigh more than girl cats.
But this isn’t always true. If you have a boy cat and a girl cat of the same type, and you’re wondering why the girl is smaller, this could be the reason. Boy cats that aren’t neutered can also be bigger because they have more of a hormone called testosterone, which makes them strong. Boy cats grow up slower, but they start smaller than girl cats when they’re young and then grow bigger than them later on.
5. They have Parasite
Sometimes, cats are small because of tiny creatures called parasites. These parasites can make the cat sick and prevent it from growing properly. They can also make the cat lose weight.
For instance, fleas, are a type of parasite, that can make kittens very sick. This sickness can even be deadly for kittens and stop them from getting the important stuff they need to grow from their food. Another type of parasite, called worms, can also stop kittens from growing because they take away the good stuff from the kitten’s food. Fleas can give kittens these worms, so kittens can easily get both fleas and worms.
6. They’re Still Growing
If your cat is still young, it might look smaller than others because it’s not fully grown yet. Most kittens stop getting bigger when they’re about 1 year old, but they don’t fully grow up until they’re 1 and a half years old. Different types of cats stop growing at various times. For example, big cats like the Maine Coon take a longer time to become full size.
Kittens grow fast when they’re between 6 to 8 months old. After they turn 1 year old, they grow much slower. Maine Coon cats can take up to 2 years to fully grow up. So, how long a cat takes to grow depends on what type of cat it is!
Are some cats always little?
Some types of cats are just naturally smaller. Cats like Singapuras and Siamese are meant to be small and stay small their whole lives. If your cat is a mix of two small cats or has genes from them, it might also be small.
Many things can decide how big a cat will get when grows up. But if your cat is healthy, its genes usually determine how big it will get.
Is it okay that my cat is not big?
You probably don’t need to worry if your cat is small but healthy and happy. But if you’re worried about your cat not growing properly or losing weight, you should take it to the vet.
Some health problems, especially in kittens or young cats, can make them grow slower or not gain weight.
Conclusion
Some cats are small because that’s just how they are born. Others might be small because they have health problems that stop them from growing properly. You can guess how big your kitty might get by looking at their mom and dad or what breed they are. Sometimes, a cat might be smaller than its brothers and sisters or other cats of the same breed because it didn’t get enough food, was born with a problem, or got sick from bugs.
But remember, it’s okay if your cat is smaller than most cats. What’s important is that your feline is happy and healthy. If you’re worried about your kitten, you should take them to see the vet.
I hope you got your Answer to your query about “Why Is My Cat So Small“
