Why Are Kittens So Active?

You just brought home an adorable kitten. But your new pet's enormous amount of energy may soon make you want to tear out your hair. There are numerous reasons kittens are so active, but the bottom line is that this behavior is common to kittens. It generally lasts until about 10 months of age -- and sometimes beyond. Incorporating a few habits into your daily routine can help you to channel your kitten's energy, ensuring that you get at least a few hours sleep every night.

  1. Nocturnal

    • Kittens are nocturnal creatures, which means that when you are just going to sleep, they are shifting into their most active state. A kitten that is climbing the walls while you are trying to rest can be irritating. You can, however, minimize your pet's activity level by engaging in rigorous play for about 15 minutes right before bedtime. Then right after playing, feed your kitty a small amount of food, and this will calm your cat's nocturnal energy level.

    Predators

    • One of the reasons kittens are so active is because they are eager to practice their skills as predators. The Cat Channel website recommends playing games that help kittens meet their need for a challenging hunt. "A fishing pole toy is the ideal toy for the job. Pretend that the toy at the end of the pole is prey by changing the speed and jumping it into paper bags or under sofas."

    Lonesome

    • Kittens are born into a litter of several siblings. When these kittens are split up for adoption by different owners, they lose all of their playmates. Lonely kittens are more active in unhealthy ways, such as jumping onto the furniture, because they have no brothers and sisters to engage them in healthy roughhousing. The 9 Lives Nation website says, "Just like a hyperactive child would be kept adequately engaged if he or she had a playmate, a new kitten can tone down the hyperactive side of your kitten." Consider adopting two kittens from the same litter or bringing another young cat into your home.

    Heat

    • If you do not spay your kitten, she will go into heat at around 6 months of age. The result will be a kitten that is extremely hyperactive, prone to urinate outside of her litter box and given to caterwauling for male cats with whom to mate. Spaying your cat will save you this excess activity and ensure that you do not have a new litter on your hands after a few months.