What to do with a rambunctious cat and how to keep them happy at home.
It’s been a week since you adopted your new cat and you suddenly realize you picked the most rambunctious cat at the shelter. Who could have known that your sweet, calm purring machine could turn so aggressive? The behavior of shelter animals is often different when they are in a home. When they finally get comfortable, that’s when their true personalities come out.
I often get clients who walk in the store because they have challenges with their cats. They’re wondering how to deal with an aggressive cat and how they can control their cat’s behavior. They’re often at their wit’s end, being the victims of ankle bites or sneak attacks. I always ask them one question: what do you have at home to keep your cat busy?
How do cat toys calm a hyper cat?
Cats, especially indoor ones, need enrichment or they will get bored. They will turn your home into a gigantic playroom, where everything hanging, sticking out or just existing is nothing but a cat toy. What is enrichment? It’s anything to keep your cat busy, healthy and happy while helping control your kitty’s behavior.
Toys are necessary for cats to help reduce boredom. They promote positive and acceptable playtime indoors, which usually involves prey-chasing behaviors. The best part is that these toys are inexpensive, provide exercise and helps you bond with your pet. Here are some cat toys that Mister White and Princess, Darryl’s two little feline monsters, love to use.
Plastic cat balls: Durable plastic balls with a little bell inside. They roll great on carpeting or hardwood floors and kitties love to swat them.
Crinkle Cat Ball: These are made of mylar and make a crinkle sound that my cats just love.
Paper Bags and Boxes: For the economical cat owner, just put a paper grocery bag or box out and watch your cat sit in them and play “peek-a-boo.”
Plush Toys: These soft cat toys can be real playmates for your felines. When they’re stuffed with catnip, they’re even more desirable.
Wand toys: There is no cat that doesn’t love a flying feather, bird or mouse flying through the air by its face. This is the best interactive cat toy to help you bond with your pet.
The key is to make sure you have plenty of these toys around so you can rotate them in and out. Put away a few of their toys every 24 hours, so when they get them back, kitty will think they’re new. You can also make them extra special by rubbing the toys in catnip, which always makes for a happy cat.
Fish toys, mouse toys, whatever you want your feline to play with, will definitely provide moments of fun that can often get your cat off the bed and moving. If you have a pet who is active at night and loves to sneak attack when you’re snoozing, make sure some extra playtime happens right before you go to bed. A tired cat is what you want. Toys can calm a hyper or aggressive kitty.
Cat towers and trees can help solve behavior problems too
As builders of cat furniture, we also can’t help but talk about the importance of cat towers and trees. For really active cats, we often recommend getting two pieces of cat furniture where your pet can jump from one to another. Unlike other cat furniture, my models are rock solid and won’t shake or move even when the heaviest cat jumps from one side to another. (That’s why we guarantee your cat will like it or you can return it for a full refund.)
Another idea is to put a Purrniture cat tower by a bookcase or area that your cat loves to climb. Most cats enjoy being in high places. Cats are hunters by nature and their claws allow them to climb, so they can get an aerial look at their prey. If you add a dangling toy to your cat furniture, you can make that tower or tree a toy as well.
An overly rambunctious, hyper or aggressive cat is actually more common than you think. Cat toys and furniture are the first steps to try to alleviate these cat behavior challenges. But sometimes there may be other issues if toys and trees don’t work. In that case, you should consult with your veterinarian.
