Kittens are adorable.
Big eyes, upright ears, a tail that sticks straight up, a fuzzy coat, and over-sized paws all combine together to make us say, "Awww." The popularity of kitten videos online is proof of their appeal (should any proof be necessary). Kittens do grow up, however, and that adorable kitten will turn into a teenager. Teenage kittens are not babies anymore and yet aren't adult cats either. If your kitten is ever going to get into trouble, this is when it's going to happen.
From Ten to Fourteen Months is the Worst
Most kittens edge into adolescence at about ten months of age. This can vary, though, depending on the kitten. My orange tabby, Kirk, was actually closer to a year when I saw the adolescent changes in his behavior. However, ten months is the most common age.As a general rule, this worst of this teenage stage lasts about four to six months, with individual variances here, too, of course. Kirk is about fourteen months old now and I'm seeing a lessening of his adolescent behaviors even though he's only been in this stage a couple of months. Your kitten won't be fully mature, mentally and physically, until she's about two years old and you'll see some silly behaviors throughout this time.
Behaviors Signal a Change
Most owners see behavior changes as a sign that their kitten is becoming a teenager, as I did. The first thing that caught my attention was zooming from one end of the house to another. Kirk, as a kitten, often made mad dashes here and there. Those dashes are normal and I look upon them as good exercise for the growing kitten. But almost to the day that Kirk turned a year old, he would make mad full speed dashes from the front of the house, down the hall, to the back bedroom and then back again. A strong, healthy teenage kitten is incredibly fast! Thankfully he never caused any damage to himself, the house, or anyone else so I just stayed out of his way—as did my dogs.Some teenage kittens become destructive during this time of their life. If scratching poles or cat trees are not easily available, this is when many cats begin clawing up furniture or shredding drapes. Having more than one cat tree and spacing them throughout the house is a great idea. If your teenager likes catnip, use it on the cat trees to make them more appealing and refresh it often.Don't be surprised if your feline teenager decides to chew on other things. Shoes are often a target as are papers. Many cat owners have said that there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to the destructiveness; and although that's true, I do think items the owner touches frequently seem to be targeted most often. Thankfully, cats don't have the large teeth and strong jaw strength that most puppies have, so the destruction is nowhere as bad as it can be with dogs.At this time, play becomes serious for kitten adolescents and you might find that claws are used more in play. Your kitten might have played with you with sheathed claws earlier, but your teenager may use her claws more. You might find her using her teeth, too. In these instances, simply stop the play as soon as the claws or teeth are used. Or, if you can recognize the signs, stop the play before your cat gets to that point of over-stimulation.
©istockphoto/Azaliya
Listen to that Meow!
I knew adolescence had hit for sure when Kirk woke me up meowing loudly, as loud as his little body could call, in the middle of the night. I woke up with a start, turned on the light and looked for him, sure that he was badly hurt. No, he wasn't hurt. He was sitting on the headboard of my bed trying to get my attention and was very happy I was awake; greeting me with an arched back and purrs. Unfortunately, since his first night of meows was so effective he tried it again for several more nights but I refused to fall for it again. Eventually, when his loud meows no longer worked, he stopped the midnight summons.During the day he will still meow every once in a while to get my attention and I'll usually answer him. I don't go looking for him unless he sounds like he's in trouble (behind a closed door, for example) but I will talk to him. I think that's fair.Many owners of teenage kittens mention a period of night time unease coupled with meowing. However, if not rewarded with attention, it tends to abate fairly quickly.
Pet Me! No, Never Mind.
We know with teenage humans that the brain is changing significantly during this time, and although research hasn't shown us that the same thing happens with felines, their behavior certainly shows it. Many adolescent kittens who were once affectionate and liked to cuddle don't during this time. They will only cuddle when they want to cuddle and not when you want to pet them. Worse yet, sometimes when you reach out to pet your kitten, you might be met with teeth and claws.Don't take this personally; it's not meant to push you away or harm you. Instead, this is a part of the kitten changing from a kitten to a cat. Your pet's brain and body are changing from day to day and most likely even from minute to minute.Give your kitten time and space to grow up. If she wants attention, give it to her but don't force it on her. If she wants attention but then reaches a level of over-stimulation and uses her claws and teeth, stop the petting immediately and move away. Do not get angry, yell or scream at your kitten, or hit her. Punishment doesn't work to change behavior and will make her afraid of you instead.Eventually, with patience and some time to grow up, the feline you loved will be back.
FAQs
However, cats go through 5 distinct life stages: kitten, junior, prime, mature and senior. The junior stage, or adolescence, for cats, begins at approximately six months old. During this period, your teenage kitten will continue to grow physically and cognitively until they reach the age of two years old.
At what age are kittens most difficult? ›
Understanding the Kitty 'Terrible Two's'
Between the age of 6 months and 2 years, your kitten will be reaching physical and sexual maturity. They will grow out of being a pure bundle of energy but, like human teenagers, they will be learning and exploring more of the world around them.
Do kittens go through a rebellious stage? ›
As your kitten approaches adolescence, expect a surge in energy levels and a desire for independence. This kitten stage is characterized by a sense of rebellion and the testing of established rules, which can include climbing on the table, darting out of rooms and more.
What age do kittens misbehave the most? ›
What age do kittens misbehave the most? Kittens tend to misbehave the most between the ages of 8 weeks to 6 months. During this period, kittens are still learning about their environment and developing their social skills.
How long does kittenhood last? ›
Kittenhood is the first life stage of cats. Kittenhood lasts from birth to one year (approximately 15 years in human age) and marks the fastest growing stage of a cat's life. All newly adopted cats of unknown parentage, including kittens, should be immediately examined by your veterinarian.
What age are kittens the naughtiest? ›
Also, kittens play, eat, and rest similar to a toddler. Social play usually peaks at about 3 months of age. As they get to 4-9 months, they hit their teenage years.
Are adolescent cats less cuddly? ›
On the other side of things, kittens may be extremely affectionate while young but as they get older they might need less attention and affection. This is also natural and not something to worry about so long as they are in good health. They are merely getting older and more independent.
At what age do kittens stop acting crazy? ›
The transition to adulthood ordinarily occurs from 1 to 2 years old. At this time, and possibly after neutering, a cat may retain a lot of energy but should be notably calmer with it reaching full maturity at 2. From 3 to 10 years old, a cat is relatively calm but remains active.
What age are kittens most aggressive? ›
Kittens reach their peak age for play aggression starting at around nine months old. Many kittens naturally start to lower their play aggression at about a year and a half.
At what age does a kittens personality change? ›
Usually, cats start to mature and settle down after the eighteen-month mark, and by their second birthday your cat will have fully grown into their adult personality.
First, correct them with a firm 'no', take them to another area, and initiate play. Remember, cats do not understand punishment. Rewarding them when they behave (even when they are not displaying undesirable behavior) will encourage your cat to come to you and listen rather than avoiding you with fear.
How do you teach a kitten no? ›
If you want your cat to listen, make sure it understands what "No" means. You do not need more than a loud, "No" when your cat misbehaves. Avoid screaming, as this can upset your cat. Simply say, "No" when it engages in a negative behavior.
How to punish a kitten for biting? ›
Step away from your pet and out of striking range, and do not fuss or reward them with attention. Walking away from your pet, ignoring them and leaving them alone to calm down with no interaction (do not talk to them or look in their direction) for 5-10 minutes is the best way to stop aggressive play.
What age do cats imprint? ›
“The initial imprinting stage for kittens tends to occur between two and seven weeks after birth,” Tamburo says. “Though a very short window in a cat's relatively long life, the stimuli that they are and are not exposed to during this time can really shape their behaviors and personality for the rest of their lives.”
How to calm a crazy kitten? ›
If your kitten is acting up, let her relax in her own private haven. This could be a dimly lit small room where she can unwind away from other pets, distractions, and people. It should also be a space in which she can play and let out her energy without having to worry about her destroying anything.
What age is no longer a kitten? ›
Most kittens are considered adults around their first birthday. For some larger breed cats, like Maine Coons, it can take up to 18 months to 2 years to reach their full size. Between eight months and two years of age, kittens reach their full size.
What age do kittens get easier? ›
Generally, by 9 to 12 months old, the massive amount of enthusiasm has begun to settle, and a personality has become more apparent. Each cat differs individually with some being more playful and some lazier. However, these are some typical stages you'll see as your frisky feline ages.
What age are kittens most destructive? ›
2 weeks - 3 months: If you're a parent yourself, picture this period as the “terrible twos”. This is the toddler years of your kitten and is when your kitten is usually most hyperactive.
At what age do cats stop acting like kittens? ›
Cat Adulthood: When Cats Start to Settle Down
Many of our precious felines calm down considerably from 1-2 years of age on. They may still enjoy the occasional “zoomie” but tend to not get into as much mischief. Young adulthood continues until about 10 years of age, when most cats are still active, but much calmer.
©istockphoto/Azaliya