Two kittens running the house! Help!

[Deleted User]

Hi, I've posted before about our two adorable female kittens, which we've had for about 5 weeks nows and they are 14 weeks old. They look the cutest little things, and generally things have been going well... no problems litter training, eating, entertaining each other etc.

But... they are literally running the household and it's starting to put a strain on all of us. Obviously they can't go out yet (2nd lot of injections in 2 weeks and will be spayed at 5 and a half months). So they have to run off their energy inside. They have lots of toys, boxes and so on that they can safely play with and we spend a lot of time with them . But despite being firm, patient and trying every technique we have read/heard of, we cannot stop them running up curtains/across the table/persistently getting into areas they know they shouldn't (eg behind the TV or on the highest shelves). I caught one of them chewing a cable today, which I hope is not the beginning of a new habit :-/.

Can anyone offer any tips? Will they calm down after spaying/going outside? Is it because they are together that they are continually so feisty and brave???

Just this past week they have been less cuddly, preferring not to be picked up and sleeping apart from each other and ourselves (whereas they previously loved to snuggle with us on the sofa). Again, is this change of behaviour normal? We do our best to show lots of affection but it's not easy if they simply don't want it!

I nearly sat on one of them today because my OH picked her up and she immediately darted along the seat behind me! I'm a nervous wreck!!!

Any help appreciated

925dancer

They're just being kittens! Kittens are extremely hard work and many people don't realise or appreciate this. They are testing all of their boundaries all the time. They are full of energy and can be as much hard work as a baby/toddler.

I know many a cat slave who is sleep deprived, me included until very recently and my naughtiest cat is nearly 3! So it can take time for it all to settle down.

I'd say their age has a lot to do with the cuddles becoming less, they're probably starting to have some hormones kick in. Are they same sex? If not, keep a very watchful eye on them, it's not unheard of for a 4/5 month old kitten to get pregnant.

[Deleted User]

Yes, both are female, but I do think one of them has her hormones kicking in.... she has started rubbing up against me (the other is not doing this at all, to anyone) and 'kneading' chairs/beds/anything with a cushion on. There's a big black cat that keeps visiting and it has only started in the past week. Of course, the cat flap is firmly locked!

It does feel like we have another child (or two) in the house. The difference being that when my daughter was a toddler she was never this much trouble! LOL!

Happy to know it's all part and parcel of their natural development

londonsurrey

Like with toddlers, you just learn to cat/baby proof your habitat, or resign yourself to being permanently on edge.

With regards to cables, they tend not to chew thick ones, but thinner ones, particularly the ones connected to earpieces are vulnerable to being nibbled.


Depending on personality, they can become less cuddly as they get older. They also react better to being approached slowly, as opposed to normal human pace. If you are really keen, turn the central heating down. They're blithely mercenary little creatures who will appreciate their warm pet humans more when the environment is cold!

picklepick

Sounds like they're just being kittens to me. Some of it they wont ever grow out of and some they will.

My eldest cat is a terrible little madam, she climbs the curtains (she knows she's gonna get in trouble and she darts away when I catch her doing it) She cries at us all night, they chase each other around the house at all hours. I havent had a full nights sleep for 3 years. Welcome to the joys of cat ownership!
Having said all that, I wouldnt change them for the world.

I have to say, once they can go out and the weathers warm they'll probably spend a lot of time outside and just come in to sleep .You'll find that you arent tearing your hair out as much. It's when the cold weather comes round again that you notice them inside and driving you insane again!

KxMx

I'm sorry to say calming down after being spayed is something of a myth. Yes the hormone releated agression will go (especially with boys) but if they are scatty before the op they will be scatty after, like my cat who's nearly 6, still has a burst of mania once or twice a day haha. Certainly when she's outside all she does is come in and sleep lol, but when autumn/winter hits, watch out!

dizziblonde

They're kittens, who will turn into cats... they DO run the house and they train their humans very well.

Cat proof as best you can according to their quirks (mine is a hideyhole cat so we block off holes we don't want her going in like under kitchen cupboard plinths and the like) and enjoy the lunacy while it lasts.

And my own particular source of terror (no idea why - she's never shown any interest in it) check the washer for furry creatures before you put it on!

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone, it's feels good to share experiences and know we are not on our own! We knew there would a certain amount of comprimise when we decided to give these kitties a home, but (just like having children) nothing prepared us!

I'm thankful we'll have the chance to introduce them to the big outdoors at the warmer time of year - so i guess it could have been worse. They are sleeping peacefully at the moment, having run us ragged for the past 7 or 8 hours. Grin.

I better go and have a nap before they wake up again...


Dizziblonde - you have just given me a further source of anxiety... the washing machine!!! Eek! LOL.

picklepick

I have washing machine and oven paranoia!
I check everytime that they're not in there by mistake before i turn them on. I've no idea how theyd get in there because I always keep the doors closed... but I still like to check!

pinkcandyflossprincess

spaying goes on weight at some places so it may be worth checking if they can be done sooner- Our black and white kitty has reached the weight already so is booked in for 3 weeks. it sounds normal to me though- thats what they do!:)
I think after neutering it may calm down slightly if you are going to let them have garden or outside acess? as gives them a new enviroment to explore. cat trees etc are good indoors for play although like kids most cats prefer to play with boxes and non cat toys half the time to baffle your brain.
good luck- they look really pretty btw xx

pigpen

Get them spayed now... 3 of mine were done at 12 weeks.. I kept them in until the fur grew back after the op.

I did let them out in the rabbit run a few times when they were particularly annoying.. not with the rabbits! They went out.. got in their box and went to sleep... I brought them in after dinner and they ran amok all night...

My 12 year old stupids cats still run up curtains.. but they are too heavy and rip down curtain tracks, they still get in my christmas tree, my 4 y/o mog still attacks my wash basket and the other still brings in every available bit of wildlife she can find

They don't get any better!