A Survival Guide
At FFCF, we are all about trying to match you with your new best friend for life. We encourage you to envision purring lap naps, sweet little head boops, and picture-perfect Instagram moments. And yes, there are plenty of those. But let’s not sugarcoat it: kittens come with behaviors that would make even a seasoned circus ringmaster say, “You know what? I’m good.”
But fear not! We are here to equip you with the tools to tackle common behavior challenges so you can keep your sanity intact (and your curtains attached to the rod. Mostly). Let’s dive in!
The Midnight Zoomies: When Sleep Is Optional (for You)
The Behavior: Just as you begin drifting into blissful sleep, your furry little angel transforms into a caffeinated tornado. The sound of paws stampeding across floors, punctuated by the occasional crash of an unidentified object, becomes your new nighttime soundtrack.
Why It Happens: Kittens are crepuscular, which is a fancy way of saying they’re most active at dawn and dusk. That means that sometimes at 2 AM, you will hear what can only be called the sounds of random chaos coming from your living room. Late-night kitten marathons are part of the package, but you can manage them!
The Solution:
Tire Them Out: Schedule an epic play session about an hour before bedtime. Use wand toys, feather teasers, or anything that makes them leap like furry Olympians.
Dinner Time Strategy: Feed your kitten their biggest meal right before bed. A full tummy can lull even the most energetic kitten into post-dinner nap mode.
Create a Routine: Just like toddlers, kittens benefit from structure. Play, feed, sleep. Repeat.
If all else fails, invest in earplugs and remind yourself: this phase doesn’t last forever. But fair warning – it never quite goes away, either, but it does become less frequent! Call it part of the exciting package of living with a tiny predator who heeds the occasional call of the wild.
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The Tiny Piranha Phase: Biting Everything in Sight
The Behavior: You’re minding your own business, scrolling on your phone, when your kitten decides your fingers look like particularly tasty snacks. Teeth and claws come out. Pain ensues.
Why It Happens: Kittens bite because they’re teething (yes, like human babies) or learning how to play. It’s a natural part of their development.
The Solution:
Redirect, Redirect, Redirect: Offer chew-appropriate toys whenever your fingers or toes become the target. A kicker toy, soft chew sticks, or even a stuffed sock can work wonders.
Avoid Hand Play: Resist the urge to use your hands as toys. While it’s cute at first, you’ll regret it when your kitten grows bigger and those nibbles feel more like battle wounds.
Teach “Ouch!”: If your kitten bites too hard, let out a high-pitched “Ouch!” and gently remove your hand. This mimics the way kittens learn boundaries from their littermates.
Remember, they’re not trying to maim you… they’re just practicing for the imaginary jungle in your living room.
The Curtain Climbing Olympics
The Behavior: Your kitten suddenly scales your curtains like a seasoned mountaineer, dangling with pride as you shriek in horror. Bonus points if they attempt to rappel back down using their claws.
Why It Happens: Kittens are curious explorers with an insatiable urge to climb and scratch. To them, curtains are just vertical playgrounds.
The Solution:
Provide Alternatives: Invest in a sturdy cat tree or scratching post that lets your kitten climb to their heart’s content.
Make Curtains Boring: Attach double-sided tape or use a citrus-scented spray (kittens hate both). Curtains that feel sticky or smell icky suddenly lose their appeal.
Trim Those Claws: Regular nail trims reduce damage. Just be prepared for a brief kitten standoff while you master the art of claw clipping.
The Litter Box Blues: Accidents Happen (but Why on My Favorite Rug?)
The Behavior: Your kitten suddenly decides that the expensive rug or corner of the room is a superior bathroom to the litter box you so graciously provided.
Why It Happens: This could signal a medical issue, a dislike of the box setup, or a subtle protest over its cleanliness.
The Solution:
Rule Out Illness: If accidents persist, take your kitten to the vet to rule out urinary issues.
Box Preferences: Make sure the litter box is big enough and in a quiet, easily accessible location. Some kittens dislike covered boxes or scented litter.
Clean Up Thoroughly: Use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate odor. If the smell lingers, your kitten might revisit the scene of the crime.
Keep It Pristine: Kittens are fastidious about cleanliness. Scoop daily, and change litter regularly.
Accidents are frustrating, but patience (and vigilance) will prevail!
Stealth Attacks: The Surprise Ninja Pounce
The Behavior: Your kitten hides behind furniture or under blankets, launching surprise attacks on anything that moves—your ankles, your unsuspecting dog, or the laundry pile.
Why It Happens: Kittens are natural hunters. Pouncing and stalking help them develop vital predator skills.
The Solution:
Structured Playtime: Channel their inner tiger into appropriate hunting games. Use toys like laser pointers, moving mice, or wands.
Interactive Toys: Give them self-play toys, like treat-dispensing balls or battery-operated mice, to keep them entertained.
Don’t Encourage Bad Habits: Avoid yelping or jerking away—this can make the game even more exciting for them.
And remember, those ninja skills are a sign of a happy, confident kitten!
Scratching the Couch Like It Owes Them Money
Scratching isn’t bad behavior—it’s instinctual. Redirect it with:
Scratching posts or pads: Place these near the “forbidden” furniture. Cats love sisal, cardboard, and wood.
Positive reinforcement: Sprinkle catnip on the post and praise them when they use it. Cats love being told they’re the best.
Double-sided tape or sprays: If they’re hooked on your couch, try furniture-safe deterrents like sticky tape or anti-scratch sprays. They’ll get the hint.
A Final Word: Patience, Laughter, and Love
Kittens are like toddlers—curious, mischievous, and still figuring out the world. Redirecting behaviors takes consistency and patience, but they’ll learn. Celebrate their victories (with treats and belly rubs, if they allow it) and try not to sweat the occasional misstep. Because let’s face it: one look at that tiny face, and all is forgiven.
Behavior challenges are temporary, but the bond you’re building will last a lifetime. So take a deep breath, hide the breakables, and keep the toys handy. You’ve got this. A kitten nap on your lap is the perfect reminder of why you signed up for this glorious adventure in the first place.
Feline Futures Care Foundation 
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