How to Handle an Active Kitten

Bringing a new kitten home is exciting, but things can become difficult when the kitten climbs the curtains and scratches the furniture. Here are some ways to manage a kitten's boundless energy.

According to an article by pet columnist Jessica Remitz published on PetMD, a cat's energy level varies with age. If a kitten is over eight weeks old, it will already be active and may even climb furniture because it cannot yet control that energy. As the kitten gets older, its energy level will rise further, and it will begin running around chasing toys or moving objects.

A kitten may also playfully attack its owner, said Adi Hovav, a cat behavior counselor at a U.S. animal adoption center. Hovav added, “Sometimes a kitten may appear to be cuddling, but then suddenly start gnawing on its owner's hand.” This behavior is part of the process of becoming an adult cat.

Moreover, because cats are predators, kittens will explore their new habitat and adapt to it by following hunting instincts such as jumping and biting. According to cat behavior analyst Katie Watts, kittens will test all their instincts, including their predatory instincts.

Watts said owners should help kittens use their skills and develop their instincts through regular play. Bringing home another kitten as a companion can also be an option, because the best playmate for a kitten is another kitten. “Kittens understand one another better than anyone,” Watts said.