An active kitten is fun, but not all day long, or when you are trying to get things done. I do recommend keeping a young, active kitten in a kitten-safe room when unattended. Be sure to provide him with plenty of toys. And rotate which toys are in his room, so he doesn’t get bored. Of course, keep his favorites there at all times. But he won’t be in a safe room all the time. And this playfulness can continue to well past a year old. So you need another strategy as well.
At 6—12 months old you may have 10 lbs. of enthusiastic muscle and claws jumping out from behind the potted plant to grab you and then run away. To satisfy his prey drive, do simulated hunts with him several times a day. But his playful attacks may still continue, often at a most inconvenient time. What to do?
First, look for patterns. What time of day is the young cat most active? This is the perfect time for a simulated hunt, a novel toy or item, or tossing a toy. What time of day are you most in need of a break? If you are like most people, one answer is first thing in the morning.
I recommend having special toys for the mornings. Toss them before the active kitten attacks. So, have them in your bathrobe pocket or in a drawer you can access before entering the young cat’s attack zone. Your active kitten gets to “hunt” in the morning after a boring night of no motion, and you get to have a cup of coffee in peace. And remember, small toys are often more appealing.
Some people think the perfect solution is a playmate. It can be. It’s best to adopt two kittens at a time, or at least introduce the second one shortly after the first, keeping in mind their play styles. You don’t want a rough-housing one with a meek one, for instance. But there are no guarantees with any roommate scenario. Before getting another cat or kitten, please read my blog on introducing cats.
You may also enjoy reading my reviews of the Cat Dancer, or the Trixie Activity Flip Board.
Patience Fisher owns Patience for Cats LLC, a cat behavior business based in Pittsburgh, PA. She is associate certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, a Diploma of Feline Behavior Science Technology, and is a certified veterinary assistant. Visit her on Facebook at Patience for Cats.