Kittens are among the most adorable creatures on earth. They are charming, sweet, and very engaging. We often wonder, as do many first-time pet owners: When do Kittens calm down?. What age do children begin to mature and quieten down?
Kittens are more likely to settle down and decrease their activity level between eighteen and twelve months.
A kitten starts to show activity around the 10th week. This can continue until their first birthday. Some cats mature earlier than others.
At What Age Do Kittens Calm Down?
Kittens start to settle down at 8-12 months of age (or 16 in human years). You will notice less of their hyperactive behavior.
At ten weeks old, they become hyperactive. If you don’t want your cat to go through this stage, then consider adopting an older cat, or one who is less than a year.
A kitten’s peak energy period starts around the age of three-months. They will eat a lot from now on until they reach adulthood.
Some cats may be able to overcome hyperactivity while others can remain hyperactive until they reach adulthood.
Do Cats Get Hyper/Angry?
Cats are known for being cold and heartless. This is a false perception. Felines experience a variety of emotions. Two emotions that fall under this emotional spectrum are anger and frustration.
According to the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, understanding feline emotional well-being and physical health is just as important as understanding their physical health.
If their cat is upset or furious, the owner should address it immediately. It could have a negative effect on the human-feline relationship if you fail to do this.
How to Tell If A Cat is Hyper/Angry?
It can be difficult to gauge a cat’s mood. There are other ways to find out about a cat’s emotional state. It is important to be able to read and understand feline vocalizations and body language.
Your cat may not be reacting to your commands, but that doesn’t mean it is angry or upset. Current Biology says this means that your cat and you have strong affinity. Cats that are angry often make their unhappy feelings known.
Keep an eye out for any of the following features, or a combination of them:
- Standing with a back arched (Halloween cat position)
- Hissing or growling is examples of agitated verbalizations.
- The tail sweeps the ground, and the eyes are wide and looking.
- The cat’s ears lie flat against his head, his jaw is tight, and his fangs are visible.
- The claws have been unsheathed and are ready to use.
It is important to determine why your cat is acting strangely. There are many possible explanations. You or someone else could be to blame. Knowing what caused your cat to become upset can help prevent future problems.
What Makes Cats Hyper?
If your cat is irritable, you are not the only one. Cats can be upset by seemingly benign things.
There are however situations where feline rage can be explained.
1. Sudden Waking
Cats enjoy sleeping. It’s not a matter of lazyness, but cats love to nap. It is very taxing for felines to be awake and move around.
Exercise can be difficult for senior cats. For arthritic joints, rest is essential to allow them to recover from exercise.
It is best to keep your cat asleep soundly. This situation could be irritating if the cat gets in your way, or lies on top of things you need.
If you awaken your cat from deep sleep, it will get angry.
Cats feel helpless when they sleep. If a cat is seen laying down in a public space of a house, it’s a sign that they trust and feel secure.
The cat will be agitated and start to wake up. The cat will immediately become furious.
2. Unwanted Handling
You should be careful when handling your cat. Cats are more comfortable walking with their four paws on ground. They prefer to be in control of handling. You can take a cat by surprise especially from behind. This will cause a lot of fury.
Sometimes, it’s inevitable that you have to take care of a cat. You might have to treat a flea infestation. The cat should not be agitated or excited by this activity.
It is another matter to put your cat in the bathtub. This situation can cause a temporary separation between your cat and you.
Sometimes, petting a cat can cause irritation to your cat. Cats’ skin is delicate. The cat may initially purr contentedly, but it can become irritated. Overstimulated skin can make petting uncomfortable.
You should be alert for signs that your cat is getting too much attention. Body language clues include squirming, tensing your body and watching your hands.
The purring may end. The conversation’s tone will change at the minimum.
If you ignore these cues, your cat will get upset. You will make it appear that you aren’t paying attention and not listening to the cat’s cues.
Overstimulation can almost always lead to a scratch or bite from your cat before it goes away. It is not a good idea to allow things to progress this far. This is the golden rule for cat handling. Cats are sensitive and will not tolerate being stroked in these areas.
3. Invasion of Territory
Cats consider territory to be everything. A cat will defend its territory by defending it. A cat will become furious if another pet invades its territory. The infiltrator could be another pet or its owner.
Every cat in a house should have its own space. This should be a large, well-used room.
If that is not possible, a community space’s corner will suffice. This land is sacred, regardless of where it may be.
Other cats will understand. You can have several cats and they won’t trespass on one another’s territory. Any unwelcome guest will be removed quickly and forcefully.
Territorial respect is something humans must practice. Aggressive behavior is when you clean out a cat’s territory. The cat will be furious if you remove stuff that your cat has collected.
What Age Are Kittens Most Hyper?
Cats can be hyper up to six months old.
Social play reaches its peak at three months. At the age of four to nine months, they enter their adolescent years.
They might begin to feel their predatory nature, and desire to “hunt” or scavenge. They might start to take toys along, play more in the evenings, and sleep more during the day.
Why Is My Kitten So Hyper At Night?
Kittens are more likely to be active at night than older cats, because they have more energy.
This is great news as it means that the cat will eventually start to sleep more during the night with patience and a little bit of time.
One reason your cat might behave strangely is because they are nocturnal. This means that they are more active at night.
The cat will likely be very active and eager to play when its owner returns in the evening. If the cat doesn’t have an outlet for all its energy, it may behave erratically.
What Is Hyperactive Kitten Syndrome?
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is an uncommon reason for a cat to act erratically, affecting mostly older cats and with no recognised cause.
Talk to your vet if you notice any of these symptoms in your cat. Kittens are energetic, curious, naughty and very active, even when they’re not sleeping. You’re likely familiar with the following hyperactive behaviors if you have a cat.
The following are examples of hyperactive behaviours:
- Frantically running around the house
- Pursuing other individuals (people and other pets)
- Jumping over and across furniture
- Licking is a compulsive behaviour
- Being outspoken and desirous of attention
Is Cat Hyperactivity Something To Be Concerned About?
There’s no need to be concerned about a hyperactive kitten. Cats are inherently energetic creatures.
If you notice any unusual behavior, it is best to take your cat to the vet for a check-up.
It could be a sign that there is something else wrong. Playtime and attention are good for kittens who have not been to the vet but don’t have any health issues.
Your kitten may love to play. You may notice that your kitten is more energetic than you expected if you have recently brought home a kitten.
They may, for example, jump on furniture and objects while exploring their new home. Cat owners might wonder if this is normal behavior. They may also ask, “When do kittens calm down?”
We spoke with Dr Sarah Nold, Trupanion veterinarian, to find out more about kitten energy and behavior as they grow and tips for kitten enrichment.
When do kittens calm down?
You may think of dogs when you think about energy. Felines can also be energy-hungry. As your kitten grows, their levels of energy may change. Nold identifies some differences between kittens and puppies.
“Cats don’t make small dogs. We don’t generally use the term ‘calm down” for cats. Your cat may be more concerned about the safety of their home than attachments with people or other cats, which is different from dogs. This means that they might be more isolated.
While a kitten might have energy, they may also learn, grow, and explore. This is normal for felines.
It is important that your adult cat or kitten feels at home. You might consider creating a cat-friendly area so your best friend can roam around and release that energy in a safe environment.
Kitten behavior stages: what to expect
Your kitten grows at an incredible rate. It may be difficult to keep up with your kitten on a daily basis. They are very curious and can get involved in many things quickly. Nold explains the key stages of your kitten’s development.
“Cats are evolved to be nocturnal. You ask your cat to follow your daytime schedule when they are in your home. As young as two weeks old, kittens can begin to socialize. Kittens also play and eat the same way as toddlers.
Social interaction peaks around 3 months old. They reach their teens when they are between 4-9 months old. They might feel their predatory instincts and need to “hunt” and “scavenge.”
They might start to bring toys and play more in the evenings. They may become independent and start to model their behavior for their families from 9-14 months. This process may be quicker if there are other cats in the house to teach them.
Although development occurs in stages, each kitten is unique. It is normal for kittens and adult cats to develop at different rates than others.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns about your cat’s behavior or development. Your veterinarian can help you identify any problems and suggest a treatment plan.
Kitten behavior
You may think that a cat biting or scratching is a bad behavior. However, it could just be a cat being cat. Nold explains when you should be aware of certain behaviors.
“Normal behavior can include scratching. This helps your cat mark their territory and maintains their claws.
A cat scratching on your couch may be considered bad behavior. Stress can lead to behavioral changes in your cat’s behavior if it is exposed to danger. In fact, cats don’t “calm down.”
They are who they are. Some cats are playful, others lazy. The enrichment program may allow cats to express their predatory instincts and prevent boredom.
Kitten enrichment 101
Your cat may benefit from enrichment. Enrichment can help your cat curb unwanted behavior.
Cat enrichment may come in many forms, consider the following:
- Scratching posts
- Furniture, like cat trees and cat towers
- Window sills and wall perches
- Catio
- Homemade cat toys
- Interactive play with a box
Nold says enrichment can also be used to redirect normal scratching behavior away from furniture and towards more suitable furniture like a cat scratching board. Enrichment can help reduce stress.
Interactive play is an excellent way to bond with your cat , and help them settle in their new home. You may also find that a little time with your cat can help reduce stress.
When do kittens calm down? It depends on your cat
Your kitten will become an adult cat much sooner than you think. You will see your kitten grow up quickly so make sure you spend time with them, and play, and have fun. Some kittens are more energetic than others.
Talking to your veterinarian, expressing your concerns and working together can help your kitten have a calmer and more balanced future.
How To Calm Down A Hyper Kitten?
Do not approach hyper kittens until they are ready. Your annoyance may manifest as aggression and you might get bitten or clawed.
You can find out what is bothering your cat, and then give it space. After a short time, offer your cat food or peace offerings. A snack or meal will distract your cat from its irritation. Play can be used to restore equilibrium.
Cats should not experience strong emotions like wrath. Cats feel most content when their lives are peaceful and free from conflict. If you want to maintain a healthy relationship with your cat, avoid any behavior that could cause feline irritation.
A furious cat can be difficult to handle. Even though cats are small, they can have unpredictable mood swings. You must immediately intervene if your cat displays signs of mental distress.
It is important not to ignore a feisty feline. It can make things worse if you turn your back or appear ignorant. Your cat will be more upset if you don’t notice.
However, this does not mean that you should immediately approach your cat. Your cat probably isn’t looking for company. Consider this question instead:
“What can calm my cat?” Experience may help you to calm your cat’s fury. If this is the case, don’t be alarmed. You can follow the four-step process below.
These situations can be handled with respect and care for your cat’s feelings. Your cat will eventually calm down.
1. Provide Space and Solitude
It will not help your cat if you get on its face. As we said, cats act according to instinct. If threatened or offended, cats will tend to fight first and then ask questions later. This can be very painful as a furious cat will rip your skin off.
To show your cat that you aren’t a threat, take a step back. While speaking softly, keep your hands visible.
Speak something calm and soothing, such as “It’s OK. I’m stepping aside.” This will allow the cat to see a way to run away from you.
Your cat will likely move to a room if it has a territory. This area should be avoided for the moment.
Your cat needs some time alone to calm down. If you don’t make contact immediately, the cat will start to rage again.
2. Offer Food and Treats
After a while, you will need to approach your cat. If you leave the cat alone too long, it can become depressed. This attitude will lead to stress, which can escalate into aggression. Knowing when to approach a cat is a delicate balance act.
Don’t leave your cat alone if you don’t feel you have had enough. You should offer an olive branch to the cat if you have done wrong.
Although cats don’t hold grudges against their humans, they will want to be loved back.
It is best to reward your cat with food. Cats are always attracted to food. If a cat is given food, it will forget about what angered it and instead will focus on the food. You can then think of a solution.
3. Offer Play and Petting
If your cat is open to this stage, you should not attempt it. Keep your hands off of your cat until he or she requests affection. By now, you should be able tell when your cat is willing to accept petting or other forms of interaction.
If your cat nuzzles you, give it a few tickles or scratches. The area between the ears and below the chin is usually secure. You’re done relaxing if the cat purrs normally. You should stop touching the cat if it gets too excited.
Play with your cat after the session is over. Playtime can be arranged by bringing a cat’s favorite toy. The last step in making sure everything is in order is the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do kittens run around like crazy?
Cats that don’t get enough exercise may behave erratically if they aren’t getting enough. The cat will be very active when its owner returns home at night. If the cat doesn’t have an outlet for all its energy, it may behave erratically. Kittens can be very active.
Is a calm kitten normal?
Kittens who are quiet and calm have a lower activity level. They are able to play with their litter-mates and have fun, but they don’t often get into fights. These kittens will be happy in both and will become peaceful, loving cats.
Do kittens calm down after being neutered?
Most of the personality, temperament, and training of a cat’s personality are determined by hereditary factors and their upbringing. They are not affected by male hormones. Castration will not bring down hyperactive cats or decrease their hostility towards humans.
Final Words
Cats are one of the most curious species on the planet. It’s not unusual to see a cat who is hyperactive, running, climbing and jumping all over furniture.
It is essential to keep your cat happy. A bored cat can be a troublemaker and it would be hard to keep them quiet. Keep it simple and have a friend at home, whether you are a cat or an older dog. Please leave your comments below!