When Do Kittens Calm Down?

Kittens are known for their hyperactivity. They like to run, pounce, and jump. They play with their cat toys, littermates, and humans. Now that you have a new kitten, you're wondering: Will my kitten calm down? And when? You may be especially concerned if your kitten is getting hurt or exhibiting aggressive behavior or keeps getting hurt due to their hyperactive behaviors.

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Learn about kitten energy levels versus adult cats, as well as the stages of kitten development. Find out what the first year is going to be like and when your kitten may finally start to mellow out — until they become an adult cat at 1 year of age.

‌Yes, your kitten should start to calm down when they're about six months of age.‌ This is when energy levels begin to noticeably drop and will continue to drop until they become an adult cat at one year of age.

There are ways you can address your kitten's high energy levels while making sure they are happy and healthy and have everything they need to develop normally.

• ‌Invest in a scratching post.‌ Kittens and
  adult cats love scratching. Get your kitten a scratching post so that they have
  something to scratch that isn't valuable to you.
• ‌Make sure your kitten gets plenty of playtime every day.‌ Cat owners can find a variety of interactive
  cat toys that will help their kittens tap into their natural hunting instincts
  and tire them out. If you give your hyperactive cat catnip, they will
  go wild and may even have the zoomies. However, afterward, they may be calmer
  than ever because they're so tired.
• ‌Give your kitten an outlet for climbing.‌ Your kitten probably loves
  to climb, but you don't want them climbing up on your furniture or countertops.
  To curb this behavior, you could get your kitten a cat tree and cat tower. That way they get
  the exercise they need.
• ‌Spay or neuter your kitten.‌ Keep in mind that spaying or
  neutering your kitten at the right time could help keep them calm. If they
  don't have the drive to find a mate, they will likely not engage in as much hyperactivity.
  Spaying or neutering your cat is also a good idea because then, they won't be
  able to get pregnant (or impregnate another cat), and they will be less likely
  to have problems with their health.
• ‌Give your kitten the right cat food for their age.‌ When they're an adult, they can transition to adult cat food.

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Cat parents are typically curious about the stages of kitten development. For every cat breed, they're the same, though cats may develop faster or slower depending on their personality.

• ‌1 to 2 weeks of age‌: When your kitten is first
  born, they may be very tired. But they grow incredibly fast and will start to
  become hyperactive in the blink of an eye.
• ‌3 weeks of age‌: Around three weeks of age, your kitten's teeth will come in. Usually, it takes six to eight weeks for the
  teething process to be completed. When your kitten is 15 to 20 days old, they can start using a litter box and have wet food.
• ‌12 months of age‌: When your cat is about 12 months of age, transition them from kitten food to adult food gradually Over a 7-day period, create food mixtures by slowly decreasing the amount of kitten food and increasing the amount of adult cat food.

The following is a sample guide:

• ‌Days 1 to 2‌: 75% kitten food to 25% adult food
• ‌Days 3 to 4‌: 50% kitten food and 50% adult food
• ‌Days 5 to 6‌: 25% kitten food and 75% adult food
• ‌Day 7‌: switch entirely to adult cat food.

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Kittens are full of energy, which is a good thing. It's totally normal for a cat to be hyperactive. Make sure that you follow the right steps for your cat's well-being. Play with them, give them toys, a scratching post, and a cat tree. Feed them the right food, cuddle them — and don't worry — they will calm down eventually. They will grow up to become adult cats that are just as much fun.