how can I quieten my kitten

[elaine33]

I have two eight month old male kittens. They are half brothers. They were both neutered at six months and one of them is now very calm placid and playful. The other one is still quite manic, jumping and climbing he often lashes out and scratches me even if I am sitting watching tv. I try not to over stimulate with too much play as I usually end up getting hurt. I really would like to find a way of just calming him down a little. Any suggestions

[im stuck]

elaine, cats have a mind of their own, so calming is virtually impossible, make sure he has plenty of toys mine loves bits of string and those bendy straws. The lashing out is probably his way of getting attention, if you agnore him he'ss soon get bored.
Other than that pateince, as he's still very young, my cats 12 and she still has her moments.

[Barmaid]

I had a similar problem with my little boy cat (now almost 2). He was psychotic as a baby and neutering did nothing. He systematically destroyed most of the house. As he has got older, he has calmed quite a bit now and he is far less destructive - although he still takes a certain vicious pleasure in winding up my girl cat and does have the odd terrorist moment. He is far more loving and cuddly now too. I'm afraid there is nothing you can really do apart from to wait and he will calm as he gets older.

My friend did recommend a herbal remedy - a Rescue remedy for over dominance. I got fed up with using it though and just let nature take its course.

[elaine33]

many thanks to you both for taking the time and trouble to respond. I know he will calm down eventually, but I just worry he will hurt himself when he is rushing around like a mad thing. the silly thing is at night he curls up next to me on the bed and lets me stroke him and he is still there when I wake in the morning. I guess they are both only babies still and I will have to be more patient. Thanks again.

[gouldc]

Our latest is nearly a year old now - when we got her from the shelter, she was on her own as she ewas suspected of being mildly retarted (no seriously). Seemed nice enough so we took her home.

OH MY GOD - the first couple of weeks were horrendous - she was a lunatic and I very nearly took her back at one point. I think it's just that kittens are so energetic, and I know exactly what you mean about getting injured playing with them - my hands and arms are covered with scars!

However, she has calmed down so much now and follows me around like a dog!

However, my cats are aware by the tone of my voice (never hit them) exactly what they can and can't do - I let them run around and play fight, but I draw the line at climbing up the TV, etc, so a firm shout of their names stops them dead.

Funny - my dog wouldn't listen to a sodding word I said!

[elaine33]

thank you for taking the time to respond. I am very grateful for your help. It is a question of patience and firmness I guess. I appreciate all the replies.

[pusspuss]

watch your toilet roll paper if they see it hanging down you will find it downstairs, in shreds, anywhere, i only have one cat left 18 years old and i still have scratch marks. 22 hours of the day she is peaceful but she still likes a cuddle and run round.would not swap her for the world