Full Grown Highland Cat: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The Highland cat is a large, long-haired breed of cat known for its dense double coat and charming personality. As kittens and young cats, Highlanders have a lot of growing to do before reaching their full adult size.

In this article, we'll discuss what to expect from a Highland cat at full grown across various aspects including size, weight, appearance, personality, health and more.

Size at Full Grown

Highland cats are considered a large cat breed. On average, fully grown Highland cats will reach the following sizes:

• Length: 25-40 inches (63-102 cm) from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail
• Height: 12-16 inches (30-41 cm) at the shoulder

Males tend to be larger than females, averaging 3-5 pounds heavier. It's not uncommon for exceptionally large male Highlands to push 50 inches in length and 20 pounds in weight when fully matured.

Weight at Full Grown

The average weight range for an adult Highland cat is:

• Male: 12-18 pounds (5.4-8.2 kg)
• Female: 8-14 pounds (3.6-6.4 kg)

As with size, individual cats may fall outside these parameters. Well-fed, sedentary Highlands have potential to weigh up to 25 pounds at their peak as adults.

Appearance at Full Grown

Highland cats change quite a bit as they mature into adulthood. Here's what to expect from their appearance at full growth:

• Coat - Thickens and lengthens, with the characteristic shaggy mane and britches. Signature colors of brown, gray and silver will darken and coat will take on a wave or curl.
• Tail - Will achieve full plume with long fur all around.
• Musculature - Bones will fill out completely, giving Highlands their notably sturdy and powerful build.
• Ears - Fur will grow longer inside ears which stand tall.
• Face - Muzzle will lengthen slightly and facial features will take on a more mature, rugged look.

The luscious coat is their defining trait at full size and lends Highland cats an impressively lion-like silhouette.

Personality at Full Grown

Highland cats develop charming, friendly personalities from a young age. As adults, their temperaments only become more affectionate and playful:

• Extroverted - Love being around their human and bond very closely.
• Affectionate - Always seeking pets and belly rubs. Very vocal and expressive.
• Playful - Enjoy interactive toys and will play fetch for long periods.
• Curious - Love exploring their surroundings and are quite intelligent.
• Loyal companions - Form close attachments and want to be with their favorite people.

Their gentle dispositions make them wonderful family pets even at full size. Always friendly towards children and other pets.

Price

Purebred Highland cats come at a premium price compared to other breeds due to their rarity, large size and long lifespan. Expect to pay anywhere from $800-$2,000 for a well-bred Highland kitten.

Adopting an adult Highland cat through a breed-specific rescue may cost $300-$800 depending on age and any special needs. Prices will be higher for show quality or champion bloodlines.

Food/Feeding

Like all cats, Highlands are true carnivores requiring a diet rich in protein and fat.

• Type - High-quality wet or raw food is best suited to their large size and avoid fillers and carbohydrates.
• Amount - Feed 2-3 cups per day split into 2 meals, adjusting up or down based on body condition.
• Water - Clean, fresh water available at all times especially for their big size.

Full grown Highlands have higher caloric needs than smaller breeds so it's important to feed for their size and not over or underfeed.

Lifespan

Highland cats have a very similar lifespan to the Maine Coon, averaging 12-15 years when well cared for.

With quality nutrition, regular vet care including preventative treatments, and a stress-free home environment, it's possible for the hardiest Highlands to thrive past 18 years of age as adored family members.

Health at Full Grown

As they reach their full size, Highlands are generally healthy but as a large breed they may be predisposed to certain conditions:

• Obesity - Easy for high calorie intake to outweigh needs if not monitored.
• Joint problems - Extra weight places more strain so keep fit. Larger frame prone to arthritis.
• Dental disease - Daily brushing is a must for their large mouths.
• Heart issues - Best to screen annually with vet especially in senior years.

A balanced lifestyle keeps them in top shape however their robust size makes routine vet care doubly important.

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Grown

Owning a fully grown Highland cat requires commitment to their specialized needs:

• Grooming - Regular brushing 2-3x per week to detangle and distribute natural oils in skin and coat.
• Nail trims - Every 4-6 weeks to prevent breaks from their weight on stairs.
• Bathing - Only when truly needed as water strips essential oils. Rinse thoroughly.
• Teeth cleaning - Daily brushing, annual professional cleaning, or dental treats/food.
• Exercise - Play sessions a few times daily for mental and physical stimulation.

Expect vet care to cost more than average for their larger size. Highlands thrive with patient, attentive owners who meet their special needs as full grown adult cats.

Costing

In addition to the purchase price, expect the following average costs for a fully grown Highland cat:

• Food - $50-80 per month for premium wet/raw diet.
• Litter - $15-30 per month for clumping litter in a large box.
• Toys - $10-20 monthly budget keeps them entertained.
• Grooming supplies - $20-40 every 2-3 months replenishes brushes, shampoo.
• Annual checkups - $200-350 per year includes tests, vaccines, exam.
• Medical/dental - $500-1000 per year on average or as emergencies occur.

Keep savings ready in case unexpected vet bills come up for their sizeable needs as adult pets.

Possible Behavioural Changes of a Fully Grown

Highlands are known for retaining a playful, loving spirit even into adulthood however some small changes may occur:

• Calmer nature - Tend to be less rambunctious but still enjoy interactive play.
• More vocal - Meow more to get attention vs pouncing as kittens.
• Set in routines - Prefer consistent feeding/play times vs exploring constantly.
• Dominant over kittens - May assert authority with younger cats but friendly to all.
• Lazy periods - Take napping more seriously - especially post-meal!

With age they mellow some yet retain their big cat personalities in every way.

Notable Characteristics of a Fully Grown Highland Cat

Beyond their immense size, Highland cats have several distinguishing traits as fully mature adults:

• Majestic coat - Their long, thick double coat takes on signature shaggy waves with lush "britches" and tail plume.
• Expressive eyebrows - Bold eyebrow patches above their large, wide-set eyes give an intelligent look.
• Dense bone structure - A muscular yet sturdy build with powerful hindquarters made for jumping.
• Large paws and ears - Outsized paws and tall-tufted ears match their imposing stature.
• Deep meow - Vocalizations are loud and resonant, audible even from other rooms.
• Slow maturity - Highlands are considered adolescents until age 4-5 years old due to long lifespan.

At peak size and maturity, these signature traits make the fully grown Highland a truly striking and attention-grabbing house cat.

Suitable Home Environment

To thrive as full grown cats, Highlands need:

• Space - Adequate room to play, at least 2-3 cats' worth of territory indoors too.
• Furniture - Cat trees, platforms, and wide pet steps for their size.
• Play - Lots of interactive toys, scratching posts, wand toys.
• Grooming - Regular brushing to avoid mats in ruff and breeches.
• Company - May get lonely without 1+ cat or human companionship.
• Windows - Appreciate sunny spots to bask and watch outdoors.

Ideally a single-family home best suits their scale as full grown Highlanders.

Final Thoughts

While Highland cats take quite a long time investment to reach maturity, their loving natures, gentle giants make them worth every step of caring for as fully developed adult cats.

With the right environments and devoted owners meeting all their sizeable needs, Highlanders repay the care many times over through devoted companionship and charming antics for many long years to come.

If you're ready to provide a lifelong furry friend with a home, Highland cats could be excellent large breed pets to consider for the whole journey from playful kitten to noble adults.