Most people adopt kittens because they’re adorable, playful, and low-maintenance, but they don’t know that young cats have a lot of energy.
If you’re wondering when kittens calm down, you’re not alone; many pet owners wonder the same. The short answer is that most kittens calm down between 6 and 12 months of age. The long answer is that hyperactivity could be a medical problem.
In today’s article, we’ll discuss hyperactivity in young kittens in detail, so let’s dive right in!
When Will My Kitten Calm Down?
Most young kittens typically calm down between 6 and 12 months of age. That’s around 15 human years. However, don’t worry if you have a hyperactive cat between 4 and 26 weeks, as that’s the most active age period for most kitties.
During this period, cats also grow rapidly. They develop physically and emotionally at a fast pace through exploration and experimentation. As a result, they cause typical accidents, like broken glass, ruined flowers, etc.
Lastly, most cats have high energy levels even after six months, but their coordination improves, so they’re still curious but less clumsy.
Should I Worry if My Kitten Seems Restless?
Sometimes, kittens’ hyperactivity can be caused by a health issue, especially if the cat in question exhibits aggressive behavior. Here’s a breakdown of things that could cause hyperactivity and aggressiveness in cats.
Medical Problems
Restlessness is one of the most common strange cat behaviors that owners shouldn’t worry about. Still, in some cases, cats can become hyperactive because of a medical or behavior problem caused by stress or anxiety.
Ask for veterinary guidance if you notice a sudden change in your cat’s behavior. Your vet can help determine if your furry friend has some injury or health condition, such as allergies, fleas, etc. These things can keep cats up at night.
A poor diet can also cause hyperactivity, so ensure you feed your cat properly.
Aggressive Behavior or Just Playfulness
Some kittens seem aggressive. In reality, they’re just being overstimulated when being playful. For instance, if you’re playing with your cat and suddenly stop, your kitty will get confused and swat at your hands, arms, or legs.
You might perceive this behavior as aggressive, but you’re probably mistaken. That’s why learning to read your cat’s body language matters.
Your kitty is perhaps still in play mode. And since you’ve ended play time, the only thing they can do is chase your body.
When Do Kittens Calm Down After Being Spayed?
Kittens become calmer after being spayed. What’s interesting about cats, in general, is that females tend to calm down much sooner than males.
However, spaying decreases the activity levels of both male and female kitties because fewer hormones fuel your young cat’s erratic and playful behavior.
If you have a female cat and haven’t considered spaying yet, you may need to wait until your kitty is nine months before their activity levels drop.
Will My Cat Calm Down After Being Neutered?
Typically, male cats calm down shortly after being neutered. After being neutered, fewer hormones float through your cat’s body. Moreover, male cats tend to lose their interest in mating after neutering. So, there’s less chance of your cat running away from home to find a mate.
Lastly, most male cats pee everywhere before they get neutered, so if you neuter your feline, they won’t pee all over your home.
How Do I Get My Kitten to Calm Down?
You can’t calm down your young kitten completely. However, you can try different things to burn off their energy.
Adopt a Second Kitten
If you’re out of the home for extended periods, we suggest getting a second cat.
Adopting a senior cat or a younger one won’t reduce your cat’s activity levels. However, your cat will have a play buddy and won’t feel lonely when you’re at work, hanging with friends, etc.
Enrich Their Environment
Cats love climbing, especially young ones, because climbing teaches animals important hunting skills and strengthens their muscles.
Therefore, if you don’t provide a suitable outlet for your indoor cat, they will find ways to learn these skills and strengthen their muscles.
Additionally, elevated positions give cats the feeling of safety because they can observe their surroundings from a distance.
Overall, climbing is a natural part of your kitten’s life, so buy a cat tree with many branches that will keep your feline active.
Most cat owners choose cat trees around 1.5 times taller than the length of their cat so they can fully stretch as they scratch without running out of the room.
Extra tip: Don’t forget to train your feline while they’re still young. For instance, crate training has many benefits for both pets and their owners.
Daily Play Sessions and Interactive Cat Toys
In the wild, cats explore nature, stalk smaller animals, and catch their prey. Indoor cats don’t have these options, so you, as their caretaker, must ensure physical exercise and mental stimulation with interactive toys.
Most cats like laser pointers. They’re a great way to initiate playtime, but we suggest introducing other toys later in the game. Otherwise, your cat will get frustrated because they can’t “catch” the dots on the wall.
We know you can’t spend your whole day playing with your furry friend. That’s where toys step in. Buy interactive toys for your kitty so they don’t feel bored or lonely when you’re not around.
Also, you can make toys at home since cats aren’t picky about toys.
For instance, paper bags without handles make great toys for cats. The same goes for scrunched-up paper balls, hair scrunchies, cat puzzles with or without treats, cat towers, cat wheels, scratching posts, etc.
Lastly, rotate their cat toys regularly so that your energetic kitten doesn’t get bored and break your favorite vase.
Final Words
If you own a young, hyperactive kitten, don’t worry about their erratic behavior. It’s just a normal phase of your cat’s life that lasts for a few months.
As we already stated, most kittens calm down after 6 months of age. That’s when your kitten begins to feel comfortable in your home and doesn’t feel as stressed or curious about things in their environment.
If you suspect a medical problem might cause your kitty’s hyperactivity, visit your vet as soon as possible and ask for veterinary advice.
