What age do kittens usually start getting calmer?

Question

I have a 7 month old kitten who's constantly doing things just to spite me now. He never used to get on tables and shelves until recently. He knows he's not suppose to be up there, he starts a game where he'll get up and when I get up to get him down he jumps down. He chews on EVERYTHING because he's loosing and growing teeth. We got him neutered and I know he's still a kitten, but around what age will they start calming down, because he really tests me some days lol.

Answer 1

Your answers so far are good advice. Here's some web sites that might help you with your kitten. catchannel.com and catage.com. catage has a test that can give you the equivalent age in people years. My kitten in 7 months also and they gave me 3.9 years old in people years. So he's still in the terrible 2's and driving me nuts.

Answer 2

Possibly never. I have a 14yr old that will get up on things he's well aware of not being allowed on looking for attention. He also still gets the "hyper kitty" sprints that send him racing around like a furry tornado. I have a 9month old neutered boy who's sweet as can be, but is very clumsy & knocks things down because he's a clutz. & he's always into something. He also is still chewing on things. I think because he's a male he's more active & needing constant entertainment. I've had girl cat's that settled down fairly quickly after nuetering.

Good luck & enjoy your kitty. He's probably just thinking your playing with him. If he's driving you nuts use a squirt bottle to emphasize your meaning when you say no. He'll stop associating jumping up with playing If he gets enough negative reinforcement for the action. Though, you have to give him positive reinforcement when he listens by giving him pets & hugs. That way he'll associate listening with your attention.

Answer 3

Usually by 7 months kittens start to calm down, but sometimes it takes up to a year. You also have a male cat, which if he is not neutered it could explain why he is so out of control. If you are really concerned than finding books about kittens could be a good idea

Answer 4

I would say about 18-24 months. I have a 3 year old and a 8 month old. Chase still screams through the house jumping all over the place. She cracks me up with all the crap she does. Nico just kinda sits back and watches her freak out, although he flashes back to kitten phase pretty frequently himself. My point is, it's different for all cats, but you should start to notice him starting to calm down at about a year.

Although, I will say that Nico calmed down an awful lot once we got Chase. It worked out well that they could just run around the house all day with each other, then by the time I got home, everyone was tired. But then you still have another cat in the house that you have to train to stay off counters and things. Nico kinda taught Chase a lot in that regard too though. She didn't do what he didn't do, so it worked out pretty nicely. Even though they have their rebellious moments.

My cats still like to get up on counters and things, even though they know they're not supposed to. I scream at them to get down and they do, but not always. It's all part of parenting I guess. I consider this practice for when I have human children :-) I don't think cats ever really grow up though. My friend has an 11 year old that still freaks out and plays all the time, so enjoy it while you can. Just keep up with the discipline or else he will be getting into/onto stuff much more often if you start ignoring him or starting to let him get away with things because it's too exhausting to keep up with him.

Also, have you tried fresh cat nip? My cats don't like it, but from what I've seen it mellows most cats right out. Don't give him too much too often, but it might give you a few hours of rest one night. There are also those electronic mice that you can just turn on and let go, that should keep his attention for a little while at least.

Oh and for the chewing, Chase LOVES the plastic rings that come off the gallon milk jugs. She will chew on that for an hour at least. If you can find something like that to keep your little guy busy for awhile, it will make all of you much happier. She likes straws too, she pulls them right out of the glass whenever I'm trying to use one. But it stops her from chewing on my shoes, so I'll take it.

Good luck to you, with love and patience everything will work out just fine.

Answer 5

I don't think there's a single right answer. Like human children, cats have different personalities. Out of my 5, 2 settled in around 2 years, one settled in at 9 months (he was a feral so was always timid), one settled in at about a year, and my last is still going psycho at 3 (he's a Bengal). Your cat sounds pretty 'normal' to me. LoL Including the game you mention. It's attention, he's pushing his limits (like any 'child') and he's having fun exploring. My 3-year old likes to knock things over if I don't give him attention when HE wants it. He'll look right at me to make sure I'm watching and slowly reach his paw out for something. He usually waits for me to yell at him, but if I try to ignore him... CRASH over it goes. :P

Answer 6

I have a male cat that I truly love but he would play and bite my kids right until he turn 1 year old.. he is so relaxed and calm no biting.. like night and day. Give it some time... it will happen.

Answer 7

It's like you are dealing witha 7 year old so keep that in mind. cats are funny little creatures but don't lose your patience with him. He will settle down in his own good time. Hard to say when.

Answer 8

OH the joys of having a kitten!!!! he may just be a crazy cat i have got to. i found that playing with them lots works just wears them out!!! he is just exploring your House by the sounds of it....just enjoy it!!! if not then maybe a cat is not for you!

Answer 9

Usually about a year. Be patient, they do calm down.

Answer 10

At about 2 years old, enjoy his youth even though it can get on your nerves, he wont be the same as he gets older.