Generally, by 9 to 12 months old, the massive amount of enthusiasm has begun to settle, and a personality has become more apparent. Each cat differs individually with some being more playful and some lazier. However, these are some typical stages you'll see as your frisky feline ages.
Cats are juniors until the age of 2, and like human children, may start to show a different temperament between 6 months and 2 years old, even progressing from the (sometimes) defiant 'Terrible Two's' to becoming a stroppy teenager!
Yes, cats go through a naughty, challenging, teenage phase too! From the age of around 7 months to 2 years of age, cats go through the feline equivalent of our human teenage years.
From 7-10 years of age, your cat begins to lose their drive to play and is less active. This is a normal shift in activity as your cat is comfortable in their environment and routine. As your cat slows down, it is crucial to monitor your pet's eating habits.
Most cats outgrow much of their impulsive behavior and “chill out,” at least a bit. Your goal will be to continue to reinforce the behavior you want, minimize opportunities for your cat to develop bad habits, and then to stay the course until their brain catches up with their body.
A cat can be aggressive for many reasons, including pain or illness, fear, stress, or overstimulation. If your cat is lashing out, check in with your vet first, particularly if the aggression is a new behavior. The cause can be medical, so your vet will first look for a health issue.
Of course while some cats get more affectionate as they age, this is not true for all cats and can depend on a number of different factors such as personality, environment, breed and more. Age also comes with physical effects that often cause cats to decrease activity and become less playful.
Another positive aspect of neutering your cat is that neutering can result in a calmer, and sometimes cleaner, home. Without the drive to mate, your cat may be quieter and not prone to cat calls and an incessant need to seek out a mate. The neutered cat no longer feels the need to seek out and serenade females.
By about two years of age, a cat's personality is fully developed, and it's easier to be sure what you're getting.
Usually, cats start to mature and settle down after the eighteen-month mark, and by their second birthday your cat will have fully grown into their adult personality.
4-9 Months: Although it might be hard to believe, you can consider a cat that's in this age range a teenager. As they shift more into a “hunter” mentality, they might start to sleep more during the day and play more at night. 9-14 Months: By the time you reach this stage, you officially have an adult cat.
Your adult cat is your friend. She will curl up on your lap in the evenings and sit quietly for much of the time, content to simply gaze out the window. Gone is the rambunctious kitten, replaced by a regal king or queen.
Behavior issues in cats
House soiling, aggression and scratching are the most common cat behavior issues. Most of the behaviors that people consider issues (e.g., chewing, biting and scratching) are actually normal cat behaviors.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Praising good behavior can work wonders with your cat. When you see them doing something desirable such as scratching their post instead of your furniture, or using the litter box rather than your shoe, reward them with a treat immediately.
Encourage petting and gentle touch to get them used to interaction from you and others. Introduce other animals slowly – Make sure your kitten is separated from other pets until they are litter box trained and fully vaccinated. Do very slow, supervised introductions and monitor activity closely.
You may notice that your cat seems to have gotten picky in her old age. Picky as in she picks up a piece of kibble in her mouth and then drops it. That doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't like the food, but it's a good sign that her mouth is the gateway to gums that are red, inflamed and swollen.
This means they often prefer to communicate at a distance and is the reason why some cats may be content just to be in the same room as their human, rather than being constantly stroked and cuddled.”
"Just as we become set in our ways as we get older, cats do too," Dr. Goldstein says. "Some cats may need more emotional support as they age and others may prefer to be left alone," he explains. "They may become more dependent on relationships and require more attention.
Our team of vets agree that using water bottles to discipline cats isn't the best course of action. According to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, “Spraying cats with water can create a negative association with humans. As a result, they may become more anxious or even aggressive over time.”