Overstimulated cats: signs, causes and how to calm your kitty down

Updated 29/09/2023

Think you might have an overstimulated cat on your hands? While their switch in emotions can be unsettling (purring one minute and scratching you the next), it’s really nothing to worry about and is easy to avoid if you know what you’re looking for. 

Whether you’re looking to clue yourself up on your feline’s behaviors before welcoming a pet sitter or you’re house sitting for a cat who’s overstimulated a lot, not to worry. Below we’ll explore the causes and signs, as well as ways to avoid cat overstimulation for true feline equilibrium.

Why do cats get overstimulated?

• Lower social thresholds. Cats aren’t nearly as social as dogs. While they might sleep next to one another, play with and groom their peers, felines certainly appreciate their own time, so over-petting simply doesn’t suit them, and can result in an overstimulated cat.
• Grooming. Cats can get overstimulated by brushing as, like petting, it’s too much contact and social stimulation for them.
• Overly frequent petting sessions. Your feline may have simply had their fill of petting sessions for one day, so only pet your cat in the frequency and duration you know they can take to avoid overstimulation in your cats.
• Sense of control. We all know that our feline friends can be pretty specific about their wants and needs (and rightly so!), so it’s no shock that sometimes cat overstimulation can be caused by their feeling out of control of the situation. Rather, your cat might prefer to know they’ve initiated both the beginning of petting as well as the end of it.

Signs of an overstimulated cat

If your cat gets overstimulated or you’re worried about cat overstimulation and aggression, it’s a good idea to clue yourself up on the warning signs of overstimulation before they’re overwhelmed and surprising you with their symptoms. 

• Restlessness
• Growling or hissing (although this may be a sign of pain, discomfort or depression in cats)
• Dilated pupils
• Rippling or twitching of the skin and tail
• Turned-back ears or movement back and forth
• Movement of the head towards your hand
• Unsheathed claws
• Stiffened body

How to calm an overstimulated cat

If your cat is overstimulated or seems to get overwhelmed by physical or social interaction quite frequently, you probably want to know how to help an overstimulated cat. Well fortunately, it’s pretty simple. The best thing you can do is to leave your kitty to it - stop petting them, gently walk away and don’t follow them around or try to console them in any way. Wait some time before approaching them again and of course, it goes without saying that you should never punish your kitty for their symptoms of overstimulation. Punishment is never the way to address this behavior, as your cat will likely respond fearfully resulting in more aggression rather than de-escalation.

Ways to avoid overstimulating your cat

• Food rewards. Use a food reward while petting your cat so that they associate it with something they love (i.e. snacks), and will be less likely to get overwhelmed, overstimulated or show signs of aggression.
• Keep petting light. Reduce the intensity before they show signs of overstimulation (then reward your kitty with treats, as we’ve mentioned). 
• Keep your petting sessions short initially, slowly increasing petting time. Each time you pet your cat, pet for slightly longer to help them get used to the feeling without getting overstimulated and of course, keep rewarding with those treats!
• Reward sparingly. While it might come as an instinct to treat your cat when they’re showing signs of overstimulation (in an attempt to calm them down), never reward your cat with treats if they’ve shown signs of overstimulation or petting-induced aggression. This could in fact reinforce these behaviors, which is the exact opposite of what you want! 
• Play time. Even though petting your feline feels like the most natural thing in the world to you, your overstimulated cat is going to need to let off some steam a few times a day. To help them on their way, set up a few interactive play sessions per day to allow your cat to let off any frustration and tension. Cat toys or puzzles are a fab way to stimulate your kitty’s mind and body before they’re so pent-up that petting-induced aggression arises. 
• Mimic the hunt. While we’re on the topic of play time, one specific way you can stimulate your kitty’s natural instincts is to mimic the hunt. While you’re probably not encouraging your feline friend to bring home their own prey (!), you can mimic the hunt at home, which is incredibly satisfying for them. Choose a fishing pole toy and play ‘hunt’ with your cat for around 20 minutes (or however long feels right for your kitty’s age and physical abilities). At the end of the game, reward them with a few delicious treats, which is a round-off to the hunt that they’d naturally get in the wild. Then, leave your kitty to rest and sleep off any hunting-induced tiredness.
• Avoid laser lights. While laser lights are a great way to encourage exercise, they can actually increase your feline’s frustration which defeats the object of play time. Why? Well your cat needs a sense of accomplishment when it comes to the catch, and a laser light simply doesn’t provide that.  
• Read your cat’s body language. As a pet parent, you know your kitty best, so only pet your cat when they seem relaxed and without any signs of overstimulation. So along with all the preventative measures you can take in playing with your feline regularly, one simple solution to how to not overstimulate your cat is to read the signs before they get seriously overwhelmed.
• Only pet your cat in the areas they will feel comfortable. Showing you their tummy isn’t an invite for tickling, it’s a show of trust. If you tickle that inviting tummy, your cat will consider you betraying that trust and likely lash out in upset.

Why does my cat get overstimulated so easily?

If your cat is overstimulated frequently, it’s worth considering how often you’re giving them attention and how long for - maybe it’s just too much social contact for your independent feline! Plus if you’ve rescued your cat, they might be used to a more solitary life, so over-petting or grooming can cause symptoms of overstimulation.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lily

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion. 

Is your cat acting weird?

Along with sitting pretty, the cats in our lives can act rather strangely at times. Understanding their weird cat behaviors can help you connect with your kitty a whole lot better (plus it’s seriously entertaining to know!).