Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How to calm a hyper cat without getting mauled

By

Many cats spend large amounts of time lounging around the house, snoozing, or even cuddling up in your lap. But cats also have energetic periods too, and some cats can go a little crazy. Seeing your cat go tearing around the house, jumping onto furniture, and getting into all sorts of trouble can be a little alarming, especially if this behavior is atypical for your furry friend. And if your cat chooses, say, 1:00 a.m. to get a case of the crazies, he might wake you and your family up. Understanding how to calm a hyper cat safely can help you to get through these incidents, but it’s also important to get to the root of what may be causing your cat to go so wild.

Stay out of the way

If your cat is racing around your home, never try to physically restrain or calm him. This could lead to injury for you and your cat. Instead, let him run and play until he tires himself out.

Recommended Videos

When your cat is wound up, try to avoid anything that will encourage his behavior to continue. Don’t laugh or shout at him, and ask your family members to stay calm and to leave the cat alone. It may help to leave the room so your cat can’t feed off of your energy.

Once your cat is calm, it’s time to try to understand what’s motivating him to act this way.

Cat looking up out of an enclosure with wild, wide eyes
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Focus on safe ways to release excess energy

If your cat is exhibiting hyper behavior, he might simply need safe ways to burn off his excess energy appropriately. This behavior is more likely to occur with indoor cats because they have relatively limited space and opportunities to exercise. Your cat may be bored and have pent-up energy that he needs to unleash, and if he’s not receiving the stimulation that he requires during the day, that sprightliness might come out in crazy bursts.

Related

For example, if your cat is hyper at night, think about how he’s spending his day. If you’re not home, your cat may be sleeping the hours away and storing up all of his enthusiasm until you return from work. Then, with you home and active at night, he might see it as prime time to run around, play, and act frisky.

Start by finding ways to encourage your cat to be more active. Get some cat toys and have play sessions together multiple times a day. There are also plenty of electrically powered toys that can entice your cat to play when you’re not home.

Look for ways that you can keep your cat entertained, too. Providing a cat tree can give your cat vertical climbing opportunities, while also granting him the ability to watch all of the activities going on both inside and outside of your home. Window perches and catios can also give your cat plenty of entertainment during the day, so he stays occupied and is less likely to go zooming through your home.

Identify any potential health issues

It’s also possible for health issues to cause this unruly behavior in cats. Dr. Joe Alcorn of the Care Animal Hospital writes that hyperactive cats can have hyperthyroidism. Cats with hyperthyroidism often display symptoms of weight loss, restless behavior, and even increased aggression. Some pets may urinate more frequently and drink extra water as a result.

If your cat suddenly develops increased hyperactive behavior, or if you notice any of these other symptoms, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They can help to determine whether hyperthyroidism or any other health issues may be contributing to your cat’s behavior.

Energetic orange cat leaping in a yard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Work with professionals

In addition to your veterinarian, it may be helpful to work with a cat behaviorist. A professional behaviorist can help you to identify stresses in your cat’s life so that you can better understand why your cat is behaving the way he is. The behaviorist may have suggestions about lifestyle changes that you can make to help encourage your cat to relax.

Final thoughts on hyper cats

While behavior that’s out of the ordinary for your cat should always be investigated, remember that it’s also somewhat natural for cats to have brief periods of playfulness. Watch your cat to see if you can find patterns in his behavior, and experiment with increasing his playtime during the day to see if his hyperactive sessions decrease in frequency or duration. In many cases, a cat who is playing and racing through the house is doing what comes naturally to him, and he may just be having a good time. However, if that behavior turns destructive or dangerous, you’ll need to investigate what’s causing your cat to be so energetic in order to keep him safe.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Do’s and don’ts: How to trim cat nails safely and successfully
Not sure how to trim your cat's nails? We've got everything you need to know
Person holding a black and white cat for a nail trim

It's not always a pleasant experience, but trimming your cat's nails is an essential element of caring for your furry friend. There are a ton of benefits to cutting down those claws — both for you and for your kitty. For example, trims help prevent nails from curling inward and digging into your cat's sensitive paw pads and prevent them from getting snagged on items.

A good shorten can also, admittedly, help protect your furniture, rugs, and clothes, too. We're going to walk through how to trim cat nails in a safe and effective way, and we'll offer you some quick do's and don'ts while we're at it. With our tips, you can make the process easier, safer, and less stressful for both you and your cat. Soon, you'll be able to trim your cat's nails like a pro.
Is it necessary to trim a cat's claws?

Read more
Why do cats hate closed doors? What science says
Your cat has a few reasons for following you into the bathroom
Cat sits in the bathroom looking out

Every cat owner knows that living with a feline means never having privacy. They follow you into the bathroom, the bedroom, and of course, the kitchen. Any door you're behind, in particular, becomes a cat nemesis. But why do cats hate closed doors? It turns out that the answer, like so much of pet behavior, comes from a complex place of modern living and ancestral instincts. Here's what you need to know about why your kitty detests you shutting them out and what you can do to keep your paint intact.
Why do cats hate closed doors?

When you go to the bathroom and shut the door, you might instantly hear the sounds of a cat positively shredding the outside (see also velcro dogs). It's not just that they want desperately to be near you, though. Cats have a unique perspective on their own space and a need to control it. After all, your house is theirs, too.

Read more
How to help your new cat settle in
Here are the steps you should take to help your cat feel at home with you
Tiger cat lying on a rug

Bringing home a new cat can be stressful for both you and your new furry family member. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help reduce your cat's stress and make the transition period easier. As your new cat settles in, he'll need some support from you, but he'll also need you to be patient with him. He's undergoing a big life change, and as excited as you are for him to be around, the best thing you can do is to give your kitty some time and space while he adjusts. He'll be roaming the house and hanging out with you soon enough if you follow these tips.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for cats?

If you have ever adopted a cat before, you may have heard this often-cited rule for settling in. The rule says that cats take three days to adjust to being in a new place at all and may seem especially hesitant and skittish.

Read more