Hyperactive Behavior in Cats and Kittens

Your cat could attack everything, bouncing of the walls, tearing your panty hoses apart, knocking your 24 red roses off the table, carrying around your slippers or the most unusual objects, but she is still considered to be a normal cat! A lot of this extreme “entertainment” is excessive play and some predatory behavior. Sometimes these things occur in the middle of the night or early morning hours. Remember that cats are nocturnal animals, sleeping during the day, being awake at night. Their activity level is higher during the night and early morning.

The more lonely or bored a cat is, the more often this happens. These cats have an excess of energy and since they can’t climb trees or catch mice, they are entertaining themselves.

If you provide games, exercise equipment and toys your kitty will eventually calm down. Better, play with it, don’t just toss a toy in her direction. Toss a ball with feathers on it, use some yarn strings, be inventive, your cat will appreciate it.

Don’t give in and “reward” your cat when they misbehave and demand attention. Never give them treats just to stop them from bugging you, and don’t chase them, they think it’s a new game. If your cat is not occupied during the day it will sleep and then has plenty of energy to go on nightly rampages. Make her tired in the evening with lengthy plays and attention and most likely she will sleep during the night.

Unneutered female cats in heat will go into a frenzy. If you don’t own a cat for breeding purposes the best thing is to spay it. Same for unneutered male cats, which might start responding to all neighbor cats in heat and rob you (and your neighbors) of a good night’s sleep.

Spayed/neutered cats tend to gain weight. Watch their food intake and cut back on treats, stimulate their desire to play and exercise instead. You can spay and neuter as early as 6 months of age, I’d recommend though to wait until at least 9 to 10 months.

Excessive Meowing

The most common reason a cat will meow excessively is because she has been trained to do so, or is allowed to do it. Your cat has learned that all she has to do is to meow and she will get what she wants. Be it attention, treats, food, affection, or playtime. Don’t give it! The more you pay attention, the more often your cat will use this “weaponâ€?.

Again, play with your cat, provide her with soft toys, roll balls, etc. But DON’T play with her when she meows, ignore her. She will soon learn that excessive meowing won’t help and quiet down. Don’t respond verbally to her meows. If you talk to her she will respond again. Just look at your cat and stay silent.

Some cat owners enjoy “talking” to their cats or with their cats. That’s fine, as long as it is an enjoyable “chat” and not an hour-long nerve-wrecking meow-session. Teach your cat that you both can enjoy some quiet time together. Gently and very quietly say Shhhh, don’t yell at her, and don’t raise your voice. Be patient, your cat will pick it up!