If your cat goes berserk at certain times of the day, such as late at night or early morning, they are not trying to drive you crazy. They are only acting on their instincts. You see, cats have innate predatory instincts that might cause them to chase imaginary mice, jump off the walls, steal your prized possessions or knock everything off the counter. They are not wild; some cats just have a stronger desire to play and chase, which may be at odds with your sleep schedule. Fortunately, there are things you can do to tame your cat. If you want a calmer cat, try these three calming strategies.
Get Your Cat Fixed
If you haven't spayed or neutered your cat, now's the time to do it. Neutering a male cat will reduce certain behaviors, such as roaming, fighting and spraying. Spaying female cats will make them less likely caterwaul, pace and work themselves up trying to attract male attention. It's better to fix your cat while they're young, since they will benefit more from the procedure if it is performed at a young age. Try to have your cat fixed immediately after they turn 8 weeks old and/or weigh 2 pounds. If you wait too long, your cat may develop ingrained behaviors that won't reverse after the procedure.
Wear Your Cat Out
Many hyper cats simply aren't getting enough stimulation to burn off their excess energy. To help your cat out, play with them. The best play activities include those that allow your cat to use their predatory and stalking instincts. For example, pole toys that have enticing items dangling on the end of a string are ideal for playing chase, which is a great predatory game.
Try Medicinal Remedies
If your cat's behavior stems from stress, your vet may recommend medication. Medications, such as antidepressants and sedatives can curb behaviors relating to stress. These behaviors include excessive grooming, aggression, marking and compulsive behavior. In addition to prescription medications, there are several herbal and over-the-counter remedies you can try. For some cats, catnip has a calming effect. You simply have to try different things until you figure out what works for your cat.
Just as people have different personalities, so do cats. For this reason, it might take you a while to figure out what strategies work for your cat. You may even have to try a combination of therapies to curb the unwanted behavior. You can talk to a place like Munster Animal Hospital for more information.
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