Seeing a Bengal cat for the first time raises so many questions in general. Their coats look exactly like wild cats, and they have a similar body structure.
However, they are perfectly domestic, and Bengal cats possess a different essence due to their relatively small size.
The intriguing size always makes the owners question when they stop growing.
Generally, like any other cats, Bengal cats also grow up to 1.5 years to 2 years. Beyond that, it is hard to say exactly when they would stop growing.
In this article, we will discuss everything that you need to know about Bengal cats’ size and growth.
If you are confused about when to stop feeding extra for growth, it might be the best place to know online. So, let us begin by answering the question at hand.
When Do Bengal Cats Stop Growing?
Bengal cats are quite similar to most domestic cats in terms of size. Their appearance may be a little deceptive, but they do not grow as much as the wild cats that you can see over the internet.
In general, Bengal cats grow till they are around 1.5 to 2 years old. However, there are some cases where the cat owners observed that the Bengal cat has continued to grow for a year more.
A good metric to judge their growth is by measuring their weight.
A male Bengal cat can weigh as much as 15 pounds, and females can grow up to 10 pounds. If your cat has reached this mark, it is safe to assume that they have reached their maximum size.
At What Age Is A Bengal Cat Fully Grown?
It is quite hard to say the exact age when a Bengal cat will stop growing. As you know already, every cat is different, and it is in vain to predict it. However, we can always speculate about the expected time when they would be fully grown.
This information is highly beneficial to determine how much you have to feed and till when.
As you probably know, cats need extra nutrients when they are in the growth stage. So, you have to feed them a little extra to grow as per their predestined state, and you have to stop overfeeding after they are fully grown.
So, if you are wondering when this time comes for a Bengal cat, it is almost 1.5 years to 2 years of age.
Sometimes, the growth period can last even longer. In those cases, the Bengal cats grow a little more.
No matter what, you will know when the cat is fully grown if you notice its weight.
It is okay to feed the cat a little extra even after it has stopped growing for a short time, but you need to keep it in check afterward.
Obesity in cats is a very common condition in most house cats, and it can lead to several diseases that you should avoid.
How Big Do Bengal Cats Get?
The size of a fully grown Bengal cat depends on several factors. The gender of the Bengal cat is, of course, a deciding factor in this case; the lineage of the cat also plays a vital role.
Let us explain how the lineage matters in determining the size of the Bengal cat. If you have ever thought that there must be a wild cat in your Bengal cat’s lineage, you are right.
Bengal cats first came into existence in the late 80s. The primary aim was to have a cat with a similar coat pattern yet smaller size and tame nature.
So, the Bengal cats you see today are distant descendants of actual wild cats.
If you can still find a cat that is not so distant from the Asian Leopard cats, they grow quite large.
However, if the Bengal cats come more mostly domesticated cats, they will not grow much larger than the usual average cat size.
It is why the Bengal cats have such a wide range when it comes to size.
However, if we have to put them into a category, male Bengal cats can grow anywhere between 10 – 15 pounds, where 15 pounds is a soft limit to the range. On the other hand, female Bengal cats grow to between 7-10 pounds.
Don’t be concerned if your cat grows beyond this range. It only means that the Bengal cat is much closer to the Asian Leopard Cats than you might have anticipated.
Do Bengal Cats Grow Slower?
We cannot confirm whether the Bengal cats grow slower than other cat breeds. If you compare the growth to other cats, they are quite fast growers. Bengal cats reach their maximum size before two years, and they maintain that size for the entirety of their lifetimes.
Bengal cats are fast growers compared to Maine Coons, who take almost three years to reach their optimum size.
However, this condition is true only when the Bengal cat is taking all the essential nutrients properly.
An underfed Bengal cat can take a much longer time to reach their maximum size, and it can show signs of malnutrition if it continues for long. So, it is best if you can talk to the vet for a detailed diet chart.
As Bengal cats are an amalgamation of multiple cat breeds, the growth rate can vary. If the lineage shows a slower growth rate, the cat can also show a similar pattern.
Bengal Cat Size and Growth Rate:
We have listed a table for the appropriate growth rate of a Bengal Cat. You have to remember that the chart is not always valid.
It only shows the average size of the Bengal cat at a particular age, and your cat might deviate from this chart a little.
Also, this is an optimum growth rate, and we will discuss how you can maintain the growth rate in this region.
Age Height (in) Length (in) Weight (lbs)
2 months 5-8 8-9 2-4
3 months 7-10 8-11 4-6
6 months 8-11 9-12 6-8
1 year 11-16 13-16 11-15
2 years 13-15 17-18 12-15
Factors That Can Impact The Growth of A Bengal Cat:
Several factors determine the growth of your Bengal cat. In this section, we will take a close look at the factors that you need to consider while raising a Bengal cat. Let us take a look at those conditions:
Food:
Food is the most vital aspect of natural growth for any cat. When the Bengal cat is in its growth stage, you have to ensure that it gets the extra nutrients for natural growth.
Their food should contain high amounts of protein, some carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. You may also notice that your cat is eating a little more than it should, completely fine.
Exercise:
With proximity to a wild cat, it is quite understandable that Bengal cats need exercise. They are also known as quite an athletic cat breed. Their muscles need daily exercise so that they can grow properly.
Apart from that, lack of exercise can cause several kinds of ailments. So, we recommend that you play and exercise with your cat, even if they are completely house cats.
Cross Breeding:
Cross-breeding is also a factor when it comes to the growth rate of Bengal cats. Although this breed came into existence quite late, it is enough for some major mutations. Crossbreeding also increases the chance of having a different growth schedule than their ancestors.
Sound Sleep:
You might have seen your Bengal cat sleeping their worries away for almost the entirety of the day.
As it is completely natural for any cat breed, you should not wake them up or disturb their sleep.
It affects their growth rate, but there are also other concerns when they do not sleep. A foul mood is just a very small part of not having enough sleep.
Are Bengal Cats Bigger Than Normal Cats?
The answer depends on the lineage of the Bengal cat.
If you look at the higher spectrum of the Bengal cats, they are bigger than regular cats. It is entirely due to their relationship with the Asian Leopard cats.
However, Bengal cats also went through years of cross-breeding.
Cross-breeding with other domesticated cat breeds has reduced their size quite a bit. As a result, a Bengal cat can be of the same size as any other regular cat.
Conclusions
The strikingly beautiful coat of the Bengal cat has raised many questions about their lineage, and comparing their sizes with wild cats has raised more eyebrows at the same time. We have answered this riddle with great detail in this article.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.