If you have accessed this blog post, chances are that you must be wondering, “why is my cat so hyper?” If that is the case, keep reading because we are here to help you discover its reasons and how to calm down a hyper cat.
Being a cat owner, you are very well aware that the picture-perfect shown in movies of a cat laying down calmly while purring is no way near reality. In fact, it is the total opposite of that most of the time. After a while, you run out of patience and look for ways to calm your cat down by going to whatever extent necessary.
Cats are known for getting a crazy attack every now and then, almost always. They are fuming out energy and turn your home upside down by constantly hopping and jumping and scratching. It kind of gets on your nerves after some time and is often an alarming situation for cat owners.
Although such cat behavior is completely natural and as a cat owner, you need not worry about affecting your cats’ health, mentally or physically. Still, there are ways in which you can help them control their energy and let them spend on something productive.
How to Calm Hyperactive Cat?
Here are the top 5 ways in which you can curb your cats’ hyperactive behavior.
1- Structured Playtime
Hyperactive cats need an outlet for their overloaded energy, just like dogs. Suppose they don’t have enough appropriate ways to take their hyperactivity out. In that case, you say cat owners might get in trouble for that.
Planning a structured playtime with a good productivity ratio with your cat will help you and your little feline calm down. Toys such as interactive LED lasers or balls designed so that there are treats in them will help encourage your cat to productively play with you in the specified time.
These sudden bursts of energy in cats are known as zoomies and happen due to several reasons. However, most of them are usually because cats are confined in a household kind of environment, which actually limits the naturally present abilities to explore their habitat.
Often cats are exhausted when they play for too long and become agitated, which in turn brings this fluctuation in their moods and the way they behave. Specifying a certain amount of time for your cat to play can really help with the hyperactivity problem.
2- Plan Mealtimes
Hyperactivity can be a result of your cat being left to stay hungry for too long. Along with scheduling the playtime, it is vital for you as a cat owner to schedule the mealtimes as well so your cat does not stay hungry for too long or does not overeat in one sitting. Scheduling will distribute the percentage of energy intake equally, and it will help keep your cat calm and composed.
3- Look For Any Hyperthyroid Issue
If your cat is being hypersensitive, don’t just keep your focus on scheduling mealtime and playtime while sitting back and waiting for your cat to get normal. Studies have shown that more than 10% of cats screened for hyperthyroidism suffer from the respective disease.
When your cat shows outbursts of energy and is not getting calm with the first two techniques, get a screening test and address the disease.
The disease is why they have a hyperactive thyroid gland that basically controls energy levels in your cat. Their appetite reduces, causing them to stay hungry for a longer period of time which prompts the hyperactivity to go twofold as well as heightened stress levels.
4- Let Your Cat Breath Fresh Air
Taking it upon yourself to take care and give all the required attention to your feline friend means taking your small companion out for a walk. No matter how busy you are, take some time out for your cat.
Although taking your cat out for a walk might be a good choice but only if your cat is immune to car horns and traffic noise which most domestic cats are not.
In this case, it is essential for a cat owner to create safe outdoor experiences for your cat. Providing an outdoor catio or using a harness for your cat to explore with you can really help with hyper behavior.
5- Getting Your Cat A Companion
Although taking time out for your cat and giving your full attention to it whenever required is a great rule, it can become a daunting task with all the mounting responsibilities every day. Getting your cat a friend or companion to keep itself busy can be a way out of this difficult situation.
You can even skip a day or two of playtime from your cats’ schedule with a friend to accompany your feline. However, don’t make this a habit, as your cat will feel it and might become more agitated with the lack of attention.
6- Handling Your Cat As Calmly As Possible
Cats are animals that come under a lot of influence from their environment, so your character will define your cat’s characteristics. Treat them calmly and with respect, and they will do the same. Try to converse with them in a cool manner and interpret their mood through tail, ears, and eyes when in a hyperactive mood.
7- Don’t Hold Up A White Flag
The worst thing you can do to your cat is give in to its bad behavior. Not teaching your cat to calm down in certain ways and giving in natural temperaments is the worst thing a cat owner can do. Such bad behavior can grow further into adulthood for your cat.
Last Words
It is not ideal for you as a cat owner to hover over your cat 24/7. Even though cats do need attention from their owners, that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t let them be for some time during the day.
If you are a cat lover who is obsessive over cats, this might be the reason for your cat’s agitatedly hyperactive behavior. Give your cat some space and time for it to be by itself.
So, now you know how to calm a kitten down or a cat, we hope you will be able to deal with it appropriately.
Quick tip: Just let your feline discover your home’s cozy corners by itself!
