How to Calm Down a Hyperactive Kitten

Sometimes a overly playful kitten needs help to calm down.

Healthy kittens normally display playful, energetic behavior as a part of their daily functioning. Yet, a kitten that engages in abnormally active or hyperactive behavior can wreak havoc on a household and endanger itself. Rather than allow your young feline to bounce off the walls, take some steps to tone down its hyperactivity. Engage in some controlled one-on-one play or offer your kitty some relaxing attention and affection to help it reach a state of calm.

Things You'll Need

• Stick, 1-foot
• Fishing line, 1-foot
• Feather

Instructions

1. Tie a 1-foot length of fishing line to the end of a 1-foot stick. Tie the quill of a feather to the end of the fishing line.

2. Hold the stick down toward the floor and move your wrist to make the feather dance on the floor and attract the kitten.

3. Keep holding the end of the stick as you move your arm away from your body. This will move the feather back and forth to entice the kitten to run to and fro as it tries to catch the feather between its paws.

4. Move the object more slowly until the kitten catches it in its paws. Put the toy away and begin petting the kitten slowly, from its shoulders to its tail.

5. Count to two, slowly, as you firmly pet the kitten from shoulders to tail to deliver a calming touch. Start at its head and work to the tip of its tail once it starts to relax. Continue until the kitten begins to fall asleep.

Tips & Warnings

• Calm your kitten before mealtime, bedtime or anytime it exhibits hyperactivity.

• Even though hyperactive kittens may try your patience, never strike a kitten or speak to it harshly.

References

• Cat Channel.com; How Can I Calm my Hyperactive Cat?; Marilyn Krieger
• Petfinder; How to Give Your Cat a Massage; Maryjean Ballner
• "Communicating with Your Cat"; J. Anne Helgren; 1999