Even though kittens sleep very long, kittens that are active are usually hyperactive! And because kittens learn and experience new things every day, kittens will be frightened or nervous about something they've never seen or heard of before. Kittens will also get excited about simple things like being petted or picked up, which can lead to unwanted behavior like biting or scratching. Try one of the methods below to calm an excited or nervous kitten.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Calming the Kitten
Step 1. Exhaust the kitten with playtime
Make time to play with the kitten every day several times a day if possible. Schedule playtime for a few hours before bedtime and use that time to exhaust the kitten.
- If you're done playing with the kitten but the cat still wants to play, turn her attention to a toy. Let the cat continue to prepare for bed alone with a toy. Some toys to consider include: a fluffy mouse, a ball for cats with or without a bell, a feather hanging from the end of a string from a doorknob, and so on.
- Using a toy hanging from a string at the end of a stick (like a fishing rod) is a great way to get your kitten to play without having to run around too. You can still stay in one place and use the stick to make the kitten run and jump around you. Your hands will be safe too!
Step 2. Apply a cool down session at the end of playtime
When playtime is over, use slow, gentle movements to encourage the kitten to calm down. Don't suddenly stop playing with it in the middle of an active gaming session.
- Stopping suddenly while the kitten is still very cheerful won't stop him from playing, it will instead start chasing or attacking you because you're still moving.
- If you play with a certain toy during a play session, let the kitten catch the toy at the end of playtime.
Step 3. Choose a special toy to use while playing
Playtime with kittens should be considered a special time every day. Choose certain toys that are used during playtime. If it's not time to play, keep the toy. After a few play sessions, the kitten will learn which toy to use specifically during playtime, and when the cat sees the toy being removed, the cat will be very excited!
Kittens should always have a toy that the cat can play with all the time. However, hide toys that make noise (for example, toys made of hard plastic or toys that have a bell or ring) before going to bed
Step 4. Feed the cat after playing
A cat's natural behavior is to eat, then clean, then sleep. You've exhausted your cat by playing, so feed the cat soon after. Kittens will likely return to their natural cycle of grooming themselves and then sleeping.
Step 5. Let the kitten try to get to its food
Instead of leaving food for the kitten all the time, make the kitten work for it. There are many commercial products that can be purchased to hide food. The kitten must then try to find and remove the food from the toy in order to eat it.
- You can also make puzzles for cat food with cardboard boxes or other objects. Look for specific ideas on the internet.
- Making the kitten struggle for food will also help tire it out. This is especially useful at the end of the day when you're getting ready for bed.
Step 6. Make a startling sound to silence the kitten
If your kitten is very active or is attacking you cheerfully and you have to tell her to stop, consider making a sudden noise that will startle her. The purpose of the voice was not to frighten him, but to stupefy him long enough to reassess the situation.
Step 7. Stop playing with the kitten if the cat is too violent
If your kitten starts to play rough, either at playtime or alone, don't pay attention to it. Don't encourage the behavior by keeping an eye on it. On the other hand, by ignoring the kitten, you are sending a signal that this behavior is inappropriate and you will not pay attention to such behavior.
Step 8. Adopt a kitten with a partner
Kittens' best playmates are other kittens. Kittens that are adopted together, especially from the same mother, can have a close relationship with one another. As kittens, these two cats would play together and tire each other out. Both will also teach each other when certain behaviors should not be performed.
Method 2 of 3: Dealing with a Nervous Kitten
Step 1. Provide a tall cat tree or cat tower
Cats, in general, like high places where they can see everything that's going on. This is one reason cats like to climb on high cabinets or refrigerators. Providing a tall tree or cat tower can give him a place to go and make him feel comfortable.
Having a place like this when something terrible happens can be very helpful. For example, a kitten may prefer to sit in a cat tree when you turn on the vacuum cleaner or watch a noisy movie
Step 2. Give the kitten a place to hide
You definitely don't want your furniture to have places to hide where kittens can get trapped. Therefore, it's best to provide a safe place for the cat to hide when the cat feels nervous or scared. A cat tree with a cubby (cat houses are usually cube-shaped and have holes for the cat to enter), or a cat tent, are good choices.
- Since you probably already know that cats love boxes, it's also a good idea to provide one or more boxes to serve as hiding places for the cat.
- Plus, it's good to have more than one hiding place. You may want to put one hiding place in every room your kitten frequents.
Step 3. Keep the house quiet
A nervous kitten may be afraid of everything. The best thing you can do for a nervous kitten is to keep away as much of the scary object as possible. This includes making the house (or room) as quiet as possible and gradually introducing sounds.
- Creepy sounds include the sound of TV, radio, vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, fan, etc.
- If the kitten is in its own room, try setting up soothing sounds or the radio at a low volume in the room to get the kitten used to the sounds.
Step 4. Try herbal remedies to calm the kitten
There are several herbal remedies made especially for cats that can keep them calm and reduce anxiety. Depending on the type of medication, you can put it in the kitten's drinking water or in its ear.
- Some cats can also feel calm with the scent of lavender or honeysuckle.
- Using lavender or honeysuckle scented essential oils, or a spray made with essential oils can calm the kitten down.
- Do not apply sprays or essential oils directly to the kitten's body. Instead, spray it on the mat, toys, etc.
Step 5. Use cat pheromones to reduce the kitten's anxiety
Cat pheromones calm the cat and reduce anxiety. Man-made versions of the pheromone are available as sprays and automatic sprays that you can place in your home to keep kittens and adult cats calm. These pheromones are similar to the pheromones that cats release when they rub their chin and face against something when they are excited.
Method 3 of 3: Getting Ready to Care for a Hyperactive Kitten
Step 1. Prepare a home for the new kitten
When bringing a new kitten into your home, you should take the time to make your home kitten safe. Kittens are very active and don't understand what they can and can't do. Being prepared for the inevitable disaster will protect your belongings and teach your kitten good behavior.
- Keep fragile or fragile items away from low tables or cabinets.
- Tie the curtain thread.
- Remove or replace curtains the kitten can climb on.
- Rearrange the furniture so that there is no room for the little kitten to get stuck behind or under the objects.
Step 2. Isolate the kitten when it first brings it home
When introducing a kitten to a new home, it's a good idea to start out in a small space, then allow her to explore the house over time. The bedroom or bathroom can be a great place to start.
When introducing a new area to your cat, monitor his actions until he is comfortable
Step 3. Do not let the kitten in the room at night
If a kitten wakes up in the middle of the night and tries to wake you, the most important thing to do is DO NOT react. If the kitten wants to play or wants to eat, don't give in to its urges. Giving in to the kitten's wishes will teach him that it's okay to wake you up at night to get what he wants.
If nighttime distractions are a problem, you may want to close your bedroom door and don't let kittens into your room at night
Tips
- The behavior of kittens when playing is based on the hunting instinct of a predator. This is why mimicking hunting behavior with a kitten is usually successful when trying to get him to play.
- If your kitten is very active or nervous, you may need to take her to the vet and ask about alternatives. There are several medications your doctor can prescribe to help reduce your kitten's anxiety and nervousness.
