Cats and Kittens

The late bloomer

By Pamela Merritt on | From wayofcats.com

Reverend Jim is really coming into his own. He’s always been a quiet presence, content to influence events by hanging around them.

With maturity he has learned to be proactive. He’s still a little shaky on how to get attention. But once he’s got it, he happily twirls and rubs his cheek on what he wants, thrilled to be able to communicate his wishes, and ecstatic to have them granted.

It only took four years.

RJ is the epitome of the late blooming cat. Circumstances combined to create almost every instance that leads to it in this one kitten.

Big cat. The more massive the cat, the more slowly they reach full maturity. Maine Coon Cats, Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, or any other Northern cats take time to reach their full potential.

Cobby type. Biology is destiny for this body type. Compact and stocky, round-headed and beachball-bodied, the British or American shorthairs exudes calm confidence. Even more moderate types, such as the American Burmese, linger in kittenhood and sneak up on maturity.

Deliberate thinker. Late bloomers have a careful mindset. They like to consider all possible angles. If this unearths some new angles to consider, those deserve attention too.

At left, RJ (top) and Tristan are a study in contrasts; body types and mental attitudes.

It’s not that they are slow thinkers. It is that they think slowly.

They are particularly good at seeing events before they might happen; unlike a more impulsive companion who uses their intelligence to get into trouble as much as they get out of it.

Late bloomers are not the quicksilver kind of cat, but they shine all the same.

Early challenges. The keen curiosity and butterfly thought pattern of the young kitten encourages them to explore their world, so they can figure out what is in it.

RJ was severely deficient in terms of getting input and having a chance to influence events. When we first got him, he didn’t even know how to play. But he learned in the course of one evening; and then try and stop him!

Supportive environment. This last element is what allows our late boomer… to bloom at all.

When put under too much pressure, the challenged cat of this type wants to freeze up in an attempt to slow things down. If they are pushed too much they will withdraw, rather than panic, but this brings their development to a halt.

Recognizing the kind of cat we have makes our expectations reasonable, our love less anxious, and our home, secure.

Then watch them bloom.

See the range of cat body types here.

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