Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? 8 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

2 Grey Striped Kittens Playing on a Blanket with Toy

Kittens are easily among the most lovable animals on the planet. They are full of life and hilarious antics, and watching them learn how to act like cats can be great fun. But have you ever wondered whether your kitten is too hyper or if their behavior is normal play?

As we all know, cats are simply weird, so it can be difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal cat behavior. This can cause a great deal of anxiety, especially for first-time kitten owners. To ease your worries and help identify potential problems, here are eight reasons that your kitten may be hyper.divider 3 paws

The 8 Reasons Why Your Kitten is Hyper

1. Instinct

Cats are predators by nature, but they aren’t born knowing exactly what to do. Instinct drives their behavior as they grow, but there is still a learning curve for kittens to develop hunting skills. Even indoor kittens that may never need hunting skills will instinctively develop them, so finding toys for your kitten that simulate prey and develop hunting skills, like tunnels and balls, can be beneficial to their development.

kitten playing on grass
Image By: paffy, Shutterstock

2. Social Development

Like most mammals, kittens need time and guidance to develop appropriate social skills. Usually, their mother and littermates help with this process, but kittens that are taken away from their mother too early or that have recently left their mother may require additional practice.

Social development in kittens helps them learn not to bite or scratch people or other animals unless threatened, as well as normal interaction with other cats that will not lead to a fight. Teaching your kitten not to bite or scratch you during play will help tremendously with these skills.


3. Energy Levels

Kittens are young and full of energy! They love to run and play, and sometimes, they just need to burn some of that energy off. Kittens and cats spend a lot of time sleeping, so during the hours they are awake, they may act hyper to burn off the energy they just built up during their slumber.

side view of a young playful maine coon cat
Photo Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

4. Fun

Sometimes, your kitten may just want to play for no reason other than having fun. While play is often to develop different types of skills, watching kittens do flips and wrestle can be just as fun for you as it is for them. Kittens may choose their favorite toys or activities, which is a strong indicator that some of their hyper behavior can just be for fun.

Looking for toys that will cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products, and it will encourage your cat to get active. Its clever three-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that cats can enjoy for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is a fantastic choice for their instinctual needs. Made with natural, bite-resistant hessian fabric and filled with organic catnip. Cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive. 

Image Product Details
Great for Exercise Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher
  • Multi-level play
  • Promotes exercise
  • Long-lasting material
  • Encourages Self-Play Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set
  • Contains catnip
  • Kitten safe
  • Satisfies prey instinct
  • At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


    5. Boredom

    If you notice your kitten seems hyper frequently, they may be bored. Evaluate how much time you are spending playing with them, as well as what types of toys they have. Interactive toys can be great options to entertain your kitten when you’re trying to work from home or focus on other tasks. Providing new and different toys regularly for your kitten will also help keep them from getting bored.

    cat in a loaf position
    Image By: Jasmin Bauer, Shutterstock

    6. Fear and Anxiety

    Kittens may be fearful or uncertain when introduced to new environments, animals, or people. When your kitten starts acting hyper out of the blue, did something happen just beforehand? Did your kitten see a dog for the first time or hear a new noise in the house? Usually, hyperactivity due to fear or anxiety is short-lived and the kitten will find a place to hide until they feel secure again. Help your kitten feel secure by slowly introducing new things and being patient while they adjust.


    7. Overstimulation

    If you’re petting your kitten and suddenly, they talk off across the room or turn around and bite or scratch you without warning, they may be overstimulated. Some cats develop petting-induced overstimulation problems and when triggered, they will quickly overreact to the stimulus.

    If your kitten starts to show sudden play aggression or bolts out of the room while you’re petting them, watch closely next time you’re having a petting session. Is your kitten’s skin twitching? Are they flicking their tail? Are their ears pinned back or being moved backward and forward rapidly? One way to help avoid overstimulation in kittens and cats is to avoid petting or scratching the area near the base of the tail. This area has a lot of nerve endings and can be very sensitive, so many cats do not like being pet there.

    Bengal cat sitting in a catio
    Image By: TheCats, Shutterstock

    8. The Zoomies!

    Your kitten may become hyper suddenly for no apparent reason. If your kitten suddenly takes off and starts running laps around the house, it may be experiencing the zoomies!

    Many cats seem to have the zoomies after using the litter box, especially after a poo, and there does not seem to be an explanation for it. Cats and kittens also may have the zoomies in the middle of the night after sleeping all day. As long as your kitten has a safe area where they can’t hurt themselves during the zoomies, then there’s nothing to be concerned about.

    divider 3 paws

    Conclusion

    Cats and kittens are so much fun, and there are so many reasons that they could be acting hyper. Kittens need stimulation, play, toys, and a safe resting place. Watch your kitten for changes in behavior and if anything seems off to you, there’s nothing wrong with calling your vet and asking questions! Vets are happy to answer questions and would rather help identify a problem early rather than need to treat a more complex or dangerous problem later.

    Enjoy your kitten while they’re still small and playful! Soon, that kitten will turn into an adult cat, so bring them up well and enjoy the many healthy, fun years to come.

    See Also:


    Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Join the conversation

    One Response

    1. first two days, we snuggled, and he enjoys playing, today he is wild, wasn't expecting that. he has one more day of the collar, so hopefully he will relax after it's off.

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

    Talk With A Vet Online

    Peace of mind,
    anywhere, anytime

    Affordable vet advice

    What Cat Paralysis?! Dr. Karyn’s Lap Lovers

    Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and...

    How to Get Rid of Cat Hair on Clothes: 4 Easy Ways

    Cats are wonderful pets, but owning one comes with some concessions. No matter how hard you try, there will be cat hair on...

    15 Fascinating Orange Tabby Cat Facts You’ll Love To Learn

    The chances are pretty high that you’ve seen an orange tabby cat, and you’ve probably met a few, too. If you’re familiar with...

    11 Reasons Cats Are Funny: Humorous Facts

    Cats are more popular than they’ve ever been, with more and more people getting them every day. While they still trail behind dogs...

    More related

    How to Tell If Your Cat Is Overweight: 4 Vet-Reviewed Signs to Look For

    Do you suspect that your cat is on the chunky side? If so, are you wondering how to tell or what signs to...

    My Cat Is Breathing With Their Mouth Open, What’s Wrong? (Vet Answer)

    Although panting is a common occurrence in dogs, it is significantly less common in cats and can be a sign of ailment. Prolonged...

    Liposuction for Cats: Our Vet Explains What it Is & Safety Considerations

    Obesity seems to plague our feline companions. It is estimated that 50% of feline veterinary patients are overweight, and our veterinarians routinely tell...

    5 Reasons Why My Cat Wants To Play All The Time

    While playing is very normal and healthy for cats, having a cat that wants to play all the time can be very frustrating....

    Keep reading

    Why Do Feral Cats Cry at Night – 7 Vet Reviewed Reasons

    Have you ever been kept up at night with the sounds of cats vocalizing outside your bedroom window? We’ve all been there, which can be frustrating and disrupt our sleep patterns. If you have feral cat colonies or a stray...

    Scared egyptian Mau cat at night in the shadow

    How Long Do British Shorthair Cats Live? Average Lifespan Data & Facts

    The British Shorthair cat is well known for its sweet personality, large appearance, and lengthy lifespan of 9–15 years. Providing them with veterinary care and attention, along with a healthy diet and a safe, stimulating environment, can help ensure they...

    Blue British Shorthair cat on blue background

    How to Use Cat Litter Deodorizers: 5 Vet-Approved Tips & Guidelines

    It can be hard to mask the smell of cat litter when you share your life with cats. The last thing you want to do is walk in the door and inhale that intense, distinct odor. Many people resort to...

    orange cat beside litter box

    Why Do Cats Roll in Catnip? 5 Common Reasons

    Most cats love catnip. There might be nothing more adorable than the concentrated energy cats bring to every interaction involving this powerful plant. But after watching your cat enjoy losing themselves in a good catnip high, you might be curious...

    cat smelling catnip

    Can Cats Eat Animal Crackers? Vet Reviewed Facts

    Picture the scene: You’ve stolen a few minutes to enjoy some animal crackers, and your cat comes over, settles at your feet, and gives you the “eyes” or a swipe at your hand if you’ve got a feisty feline. We...

    Can Cats Eat Animal Crackers

    Can Cats Eat Cucumber? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition and Safety

    Some of our cats love to keep a close eye on our kitchen activities; after all, who knows when you might drop a tasty morsel on the floor for them to investigate? What if you chop a cucumber and drop...

    Can Cats Eat Cucumber

    Does Lysol Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Guide

    Fleas endanger our pets and homes beyond the bites and unpleasant stigma attached to infestations. They are also hosts to other parasites, such as tapeworms, which can hatch inside your cat’s intestine if ingested. In some cats, flea bites can...

    Lysol cleaning product

    Do Cats Like Hugs? Feline Preferences & Important Considerations (Vet Verified)

    Cats are beloved pets known for their independent and enigmatic nature. While dogs often enjoy hugs and physical affection, the same may not always be true for cats; they can be downright aloof sometimes. Understanding a cat’s preference for hugs...

    woman carrying a chocolate-colored cat inside the clinic