Is this a funny question – a few weeks ago, I was asked by a close friend of mine how I could calm down her hyper cat? After I stopped laughing, I realized that she was serious! As we talked a bit more, I realized that she wanted some advice on this wild cat of hers and how she could calm down the antics happening both day and night.
Some cats can be incredibly chill – only getting up from their place of slumber to eat, drink, pee, and find the next sunny spot to curl up in. On the flip side, some cats are just prone to wild behavior.
Climbing curtains, leaping off counters onto the fridge, attacking plants, or ripping down shower curtains are just some of the cat antics you can find on YouTube. If you have a cat that is wild and crazy, here are some things that you can try to change things up.
How to Calm a Hyper Cat
Before you start to build a new gymnasium for your sweet kitty, let’s start with some general questions – has your cat always been this wild, or is it something new?
If your cat has been calm in the past but is now acting like a wild child, you may want to check in with your vet to be sure that there are no changes in their health that should be addressed.
One question to ask the vet about is hyperthyroidism symptoms – cats with hyperthyroidism tend not to sleep much and will eat you out of the house and home.
Although this is typically found in older cats, even kittens can have thyroid issues.
Other medical issues can impact energy levels as well, so be sure to talk through the behaviors honestly with your vet.
Once you have ruled out any medical concerns, there are other things that you can do to help reduce the high-level energy of your cat – try these 5 things to calm down a hyper cat, and hopefully, you will see some changes in your furry friend.
Check Into Your Daily Life
It is easy for us to expect that our daily lives will be busy and active. Although it is relatively easy for most of us to just deal with whatever may be going on in our homes, that is not always the case with our pets.
If you have added anything new to your household, like a new baby, a dog, or maybe having some work or construction done in your home, this can cause a big disruption in your cat’s daily life.
Any new noises, chaos, or life changes can shift your cat’s daily routine, and when that happens, they can become a bit frantic and excited. If these changes have already occurred, try to reduce the noise or impact on your cat – you can have them in their own space or quiet area, which may reduce some of that hyperactivity.
Structure Some Playtime
Sometimes we forget that, just like dogs, some cats enjoy regular playtime. Whether it is just chasing light or attacking a sock you drag across the floor, spending some quality time playing with your cat can relieve some of that pent-up energy.
Use your cat as a guide, and if they engage with you for a bit and then walk off, maybe that is all of the time they needed. It may not be much, but some time to burn off energy positively can help them have calmer moments throughout the day.
Find Some Toys That Your Cat Enjoys
Lucky for all of us, there is an easy way to get some fun new products and toys that our cats may enjoy.
If you have not looked lately, hundreds of cats’ toys are available to enrich their lives and give them an outlet for that energy.
Cat climbers and wall shelves are a great choice, as this can help them use their climbing and jumping skills.
Small balls with bells, crunchy toys that crinkle and feathers on a stick are also some cat favorites – anything to let them pounce and chase is going to help.
You may not have thought of checking your phone app stores for games for cats. Surprisingly, there are some great options for cat games that you can put on a phone or iPad for your cat to enjoy!
Try Some Safe Outside Playtime
If your cat does not get any time outside, look for some opportunities to give them an outside experience. If you live somewhere with a small yard, you can use a cat leash or even a large playpen with a top to let them experience the sights and sounds outdoors.
For a cat living in an apartment, enclosing a balcony or creating a window seat can be a great way for them to experience the outdoors.
Whatever works for you and your living space, even if it is a leash walk in a hallway, it will give your furry friend some to explore and experience new things.
Just Let Them Be
Sometimes you just have a wild cat – and some people just know that is how their lives will be.
You may come home to a cat on the refrigerator, cat’s that chase one another throughout the house at two AM, or a cat that pounces on your feet every day, and that may just be how you live your life.
Some people find explosive cat energy fun and entertaining, and if that is you, then feel free to enjoy those crazy cat moments.
If you can catch them on video, maybe you can get your video up on YouTube for some entertainment.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many different ways to try to calm down a hyper cat. Cats can just be busy animals, and if that is what you are trying to work with, remember that there are some options to help dispel some energy.
If all else fails, there are home diffusers and natural options to reduce the wild activity of your cat – options such as catnip time and chamomile used in toy stuffing may be some options for you.
Before trying any natural supplements or medications, always check with your veterinarian before giving your pet something. Some options, although touted as animal-safe, can be toxic to our pets.
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