11 Signs of an Overstimulated Cat and How To Calm Them
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Almost every cat parent has experienced this situation: You’re petting or playing with your kitty when suddenly they become hyperactive or lash out by biting or scratching. Such a sudden change in demeanor can be stressful for pet parents who are just trying to bond with their cat.
Veterinary behaviorists call this erratic and unpredictable behavior “overstimulation.”
An overstimulated cat may act either aggressively or fearfully, and it’s important to recognize when your cat gets overstimulated so you can help them manage their behaviors and return to a calm state of mind.
What Is Overstimulation in Cats?
When cats become overstimulated, this is a psychological response to the cat being overwhelmed by some external factor, such as excessive petting or the presence of other animals.
Overstimulation can even happen after there has been a major change at home, such as a move, a new pet, or construction. Overstimulation may cause cats to overreact to normal interactions, such as a familiar family member approaching them or familiar noises like household appliances.
Cats can react aggressively or fearfully when they are overstimulated, potentially risking injury to themselves, other animals, or humans in the household from bites, scratches, running into furniture, or knocking things over.
Why Do Cats Get Overstimulated?
Cats get overstimulated when they’re receiving too much sensory information from their environment, such as noise, touch, or fast movement.
Any cat can become overstimulated, but it’s more likely to happen in cats that are not receiving enough mental enrichment or exercise, as well as in cats struggling with stress and anxiety, both of which lower the threshold for a cat to become overstimulated.
Common triggers for overstimulation in cats include:
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Excessive petting or grooming
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Loud noises, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, dogs barking, or household appliances like vacuums
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Bright and/or flashing lights
Signs of an Overstimulated Cat
There are many signs cats can demonstrate when they’re overstimulated. Understanding and recognizing these signs can help alert you that your cat is becoming overwhelmed and that intervention is necessary to prevent the situation from escalating.
Overstimulation can result in a fear response that looks like:
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Dilated pupils
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Fur standing on end
Overstimulation can also result in aggressive responses such as:
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Swiping and scratching
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Biting
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Tail swishing back and forth
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Growling
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Pouncing and chasing
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Frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), commonly known as “zoomies”
How To Calm an Overstimulated Cat
When your cat is overstimulated, the first step to take is to stop the interaction or remove the cause of the overstimulation. This may include ending a petting session, stopping play, turning off household appliances, or dimming the lights.
Place your cat in a quiet, private location until they calm down. This space should have food and water bowls, perches, a litter box, and a bed to allow them to decompress. Most cats need anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to reset after they have become overstimulated.
How To Prevent Your Cat From Becoming Overstimulated
To prevent cat overstimulation, you must address the underlying cause.
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If excessive petting or exuberant play is overstimulating your cat, only pet them for as long as they are comfortable and limit play sessions to shorter durations so they don’t become overwhelmed.
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If loud noises, such as a vacuum or household appliances, bother your cat, place your kitty in a confined, quiet area while in use.
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If catnip or silvervine overstimulate your cat, reduce or limit their use.
Ensuring your cat has plenty of mentally enriching toys to play with during the day, such as puzzles and food dispensers, can also prevent boredom, which is another common trigger for overstimulation.
Another way to stave off boredom is to have window perches and cat trees. These provide vertical spaces and allow your cat to watch wildlife through a window.
Some cats that struggle with stress and anxiety as an underlying cause of overstimulation may benefit from calming products, such as Purina® Pro Plan® Calming Care supplements or a Feliway® MultiCat diffuser. For severe anxiety, some cats may even need an anxiety medication, which your veterinarian can prescribe.
If you’re noticing that your cat is becoming overstimulated more often or more easily, it’s best to consult with their primary veterinarian to find the best solution.
