Although cats are already extremely popular with cats currently being the second most commonly kept pet in the west and the most commonly kept pet in some parts of ages, the popularity of cats is steadily increasing.
The number of households adding a pet kitten to their family is at an all time high and is only increasing with each year that goes by so we are only seeing more and more questions from people about their pet kitten.
One thing that we have seen a number of people reaching out about recently is why their kitten’s personality changes and due to there being a number of different causes of this, we have decided to publish this dedicated article on the topic.
Our hope is that this article will be able to help as many of our readers as possible better understand the reasons behind their kitten’s personality changes as well as what to expect moving forward from their pet kitten.
Why Did My Kittens Personality Change?
The four most common reasons that the personality of a pet kitten will change drastically are due to the kitten getting older, the kitten being neutered, the kitten moving house, and you adding a new cat or dog to your home.
Although these are the four most common causes of a personality change in a kitten, there are additional, less common causes too but these are so rare that most people should be focusing on the big four mentioned above.
If your kitten is sick and has obvious symptoms of illness then its personality may temporarily change until the kitten is feeling better but this is usually only a temporary change rather than a permanent change like the other main reasons.
Due to this, we will only be focusing on the main causes or long-term personality changes in kittens for this article.
Do Kittens Personalities Change As They Age?
The first reason that we want to talk about is age, kittens personalities do change as they age but this is usually a very gradual process rather than an overnight or sudden change.
A kitten’s personality will slowly develop over the course of its first year of life until it reaches around 12 months old where its personality should be pretty much fully developed.
During the early stages of a kitten’s life, they are going to be very curious and playful as they explore their new surroundings and learn about the world around them.
As the kitten gets a little older, they will start to become more independent and will want to spend more time on their own instead of being with you all of the time.
This is perfectly normal behavior for a kitten and you should not be worried about this happening, it is just part of the natural development process for a kitten.
During the final stages of a kitten’s first year, they will start to become more settled and their personality will start to take shape.
You may find that your kitten becomes more cuddly and affectionate during this time or they may become more independent and aloof, it really varies from kitten to kitten.
The important thing to remember is that all of these changes are perfectly normal and you should not be concerned about them, your kitten is just growing up!
Will My Kittens Personality Change After Neutering?
The next reason that we want to talk about is neutering, this is a common cause of personality changes in kittens but it is also a perfectly normal and healthy thing to do for your kitten.
Neutering is the process of removing a kitten’s testicles and it is usually done when the kitten is around 6 months old.
The reasons for neutering a kitten are both medical, reproductive, and behavioral, the medical benefits are that it reduces the risk of your kitten developing testicular cancer in later life.
The behavioral benefits are that it can help to reduce aggression in your kitten as well as stop them from spraying urine around your home to mark their territory.
Neutering will usually have a big impact on your kitten’s personality, they may become more cuddly and affectionate or they may become more independent and aloof.
It really varies from kitten to kitten but the important thing to remember is that all of these changes are perfectly normal and you should not be concerned about them.
Why Did My Kittens Personality Change After Moving House?
The next reason that we want to talk about is moving house, this is another common cause of personality changes in kittens but it is also a perfectly normal thing to happen.
Moving house can be a stressful experience for both you and your kitten, the whole process of packing up your belongings, moving them to your new home, and then unpacking everything can be very overwhelming for a kitten.
During this time, you may find that your kitten’s personality changes, they may become more clingy and needy or they may become more independent and aloof.
These changes are perfectly normal and you should not be concerned about them, your kitten is just trying to adjust to their new surroundings.
Why Did My Kittens Personality Change After Getting Another Cat Or Dog?
The final reason that we want to talk about is getting another cat or dog, this is another common cause of personality changes in kittens but it is also a perfectly normal thing to happen.
Adding another pet to your household can be a big change for your kitten and they may react in different ways, some kittens will become more clingy and needy while others may become more independent and aloof.
Why Is My Kitten Suddenly Acting Crazy?
The final thing that we want to talk about is kittens who suddenly start acting crazy, this is not a common problem but it can happen.
There are a few different reasons why this may happen, the first is that your kitten may be experiencing a growth spurt and they are just trying to burn off some extra energy.
The second reason is that your kitten may be bored and they are looking for something to do, try adding some new toys or play areas to their environment to help keep them amused.
The third reason is that your kitten may be feeling stressed or anxious, this can be caused by a number of different things such as moving house, getting another pet, or even just a change in their routine.
If you think that your kitten is stressed or anxious, try to identify the cause and then take steps to reduce their stress levels, such as providing a safe hiding place or adding some new toys and play areas.
Conclusion
In this article, we have looked at some of the common reasons why kittens’ personalities may change.
If you are concerned about your kitten’s personality, the best thing to do is to speak to your veterinarian, they will be able to give you some advice on what to do next.
