Despite the time that humans and cats have lived together, aspects of their behavior still surprise us. Therefore, in this article on our site we are going to pay attention to how to recognize and calm a hyperactive cat.
First we will define the behavior that we are going to refer to, then we will explain what guidelines we can follow to help and understand our cat and, above all, we will differentiate the normal behavior of a he althy cat from one that may require consultation with a professional. Find out below how to calm a hyperactive cat as well as other basic tips for their well-being:
The cat activity
First of all, it is essential to know what the usual behavior of cats is to know in which cases their activity can be understood as pathological and when, on the contrary, it is the usual activity of an individual of her CARACTERISTICS. For this, it is important to know that the cat's activity is going to be related to its age.
This way, as a puppy it will be easy to see him playing with any object that could be caught, bitten or hit. It is also not uncommon for him to run or jump at high speeds, climb to considerable heights or even climb the wall. This intense activity is completely normal for a kittenand is a sign of his he alth. It is at this stage that we must lay the foundations for "safe" play, that is, diverting his attention if he intends to play bite our fingers or catch our feet and offering him an adequate range of toys. Just implementing this measure can help calm a hyperactive cat, as we will see.
No need to buy fancy mechanisms. A ball of aluminum foil or a flashlight to make lights against a wall can ensure hours of entertainment Likewise, it is very important to offer a safe environment, taking into account his taste for heights and his ability to hide in the most unexpected and remote places. Therefore, we must examine our home with "cat's eyes" to eliminate any danger or reduce it, such as using mosquito nets for windows and balconies.
Once the first years of life have passed, we will observe that, in a good number of cats, wild activity and hours of play decrease, although this aspect will also depend on thecat's own character , which will be more or less playful and active.
Towards the end of his life, generally around ten years old, we will observe that the cat spends almost all of his time sleeping and resting, leaving the game relegated to very specific moments. All cats, even older ones, more or less often go through what we could call the "crazy feline hour", easily recognizable because the cat, suddenly and without the need of real stimulation, it assumes an attack posture, with the hair on its back standing on end and walking sideways, jumping.
They usually run off in a direction that only they know. After a few minutes of crazy run they return to a calm state as if nothing had happened. This situation is completely normal and is not a cause for alarm due to hyperactivity, so the activity, although high, of the kittens should not cause concern either.
When hyperactivity is a problem
When it affects the cat's normal life and causes anxiety or stress, it is time to seek professional helpThey would be restless cats, who cannot sit still and even meow excessively or cause damage to the furniture due to their constant activity.
The first thing, as always, is to rule out a pathology of physical origin, that is, you have to go to the vet for a check-up, especially if the hyperactivity comes on suddenly, having been the quiet cat so far, and is accompanied by weight loss even though you increase food and water intake.
It is known that disorders of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can cause excessive activity, so that the cat has difficulty staying still. Diagnosis is made by palpation of the gland in the neck (it will be enlarged) and/or by measuring thyroid hormones through a blood test.
Measures to help
While we await professional advice from an ethologist, if necessary, we can implement the following measures in order to channel the energy and thus calm our hyperactive cat:
- Enrichment of the environment: we can prepare our house so that it becomes a challenge for our cat, including toys in which he must hunt for his food. Scratchers of various heights, hammocks, shelves, catnip or even, if possible, access to a controlled and safe exterior, can redirect our cat's hyperactivity.
- Knowing how to stop and say "no" when, for example, his activity is harmful to us, in the form of scratches or bites. In these cases, we shouldn't fight or even hit the cat, we just have to redirect its activity to another object. In this sense, it is also important that we learn to recognize the signs that our cat is upset with our contact or wants to end the game. Insisting can provoke a sharp reaction from him. On the other hand, relaxing petting sessions can be a good calming for some hyperactive cats, taking care to stop if we feel that they are becoming overstimulated.
- The dilemma of another animal at home to keep each other company. Sometimes, it is very beneficial for a cat to have the company of another specimen of its species or even that of a dog. And, although it is true that the game between them can help a hyperactive cat, we can see ourselves, in reality, with two problems instead of one. Before making this important decision, it is important to know that not all cats tolerate company and that it is normal for a time, more or less long, to be needed for adaptation between the two. It is essential that the cats have the same energy so as not to aggravate the problem.
- Bach Flowers, could be tried in these cases according to the guidelines set by the specialized veterinarian or the floral therapist, always after a review of the cat.
- Specific food and prizes, since there are products on the market that contain calming substances that can help relax our hyperactive cat.
- Pheromones, which are substances that cats secrete naturally and are reassuring to them. They exert, therefore, a calming effect in the cases in which they are prescribed. They can be sprayed or used as a diffuser.
- Medication, if we are facing a very serious case it is possible to use drugs such as anxiolytics that always have to be prescribed by a veterinarian.
