Adolescence is just a phase. In the end, your cat will come out at the other end as an adult. Most cats outgrow much of their impulsive behavior and “chill out,” at least a bit.
From Ten to Fourteen Months is the Worst
Most kittens edge into adolescence at about ten months of age. This can vary, though, depending on the kitten. My orange tabby, Kirk, was actually closer to a year when I saw the adolescent changes in his behavior. However, ten months is the most common age.
At what age do kittens calm down? 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.
Use “time outs” or a squirt bottle filled with water to distract your kitten from behaviors you want to prevent. If your kitten misbehaves at home or during his first veterinary visit, discuss with your vet ways to in which to work with him. Early intervention is very important to changing behaviors in kittens.
With this in mind, you can expect your cat to start calming down once they hit around 6 months of age, with there being a gradual but predictable drop in energy levels up to the first year of their life.
If your kitten is leaping across every surface of your home and treating your furniture like his own personal scratching post, you might be wondering if it will stop. The good news is, kittens definitely do calm down. Cats age much faster than humans do, and go through milestone ages pretty early on.
Why Do Kittens Misbehave? Kittens are like babies. The are constantly learning about the world around them and what behavior is acceptable and what isn't through positive and negative reinforcement. When your kitten misbehaves, it's not trying to be "bad." It's simply learning how to behave.
Reprimand your cat gently.
Avoid screaming, as this can upset your cat. Simply say, "No" when it engages in a negative behavior. If your cat stops the behavior when you ask, reward it with treats, a toy, or praise. If your cat does not listen when you say "No," try adding a small clap as well.
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.
As with all young mammals, this seemingly crazy behavior is just your kitten's way of practicing to become an adult. Because of their predatory nature, kittens will explore new places and get used to their environment by following their instincts, which include biting, jumping and chasing after things.
Kitten. The youngest stage of a cat's life is the kitten phase which spans from 0-6 months old. At this stage, they are the most curious and playful. They can often be found pouncing at your feet or pawing at objects.
If you are the parent of a single cat, you'll be glad to know that solitary cat status does not doom your kitty to a life of misery and boredom. There are plenty of things you can do to keep them purring by making his life stimulating and enjoyable.
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.
"Cats don't respond well to punishment - it can make the behavior worse but can also cause a cat to become stressed or scared of you," Adi Hovav, senior feline behavior counselor at the ASPCA Adoption Center, told The Dodo.
Aggressive Biting, Scratching, and Fighting
If your kitten is displaying signs of aggression such as hard biting, scratching that draws blood, and dangerous fighting with other kittens, this is abnormal and problematic behavior.
On top of the physical discomfort, spraying your cat with water doesn't actually teach your cat better behaviors and could end up seriously confusing her. What you think is just a bad behavior, like hissing, is actually something she's doing because she's afraid or stressed.
Offering “Treats”
Offer them “treats” often. It is especially effective to offer them a couple of spoonfuls of human baby food a day (meat only). Kittens LOVE baby food! Start by putting a little bit of baby food on their mouth or nose if they will not come to you.
Physically harming your cat can actually make the situation worse and cause her to lash out or become withdrawn. Also, cats have a hard time associating the physical punishment with the bad behavior, so you're not actually training her to stop doing it.
The most common reason cats experience the zoomies is pent-up energy. Cats rest and sleep for a majority of the day to conserve energy for short, very active periods. Without intentional exercise and activity, your kitty will need to find a way to get that extra energy out, resulting in a case of the zoomies.
According to the kitten growth chart at Raising Happy Kittens, your kitty may become less affectionate during this time. But not to worry. 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.
For some kittens, this settling in period might be over within hours, while for others it could take days or even weeks. For very timid cats, the process could even take 4 to 6 weeks. Just rest assured that this is normal, and be patient.
What causes stress in cats? Most cats are very adaptable, but they're also a very sensitive species, so changes to their life, owners and environment can affect their stress levels. Some common causes include a threat to their territory, such as another cat, or being stroked more than they would like.