How Many Hours does a 5 Month Old Kitten usually Play?

Hello,

I have a 5 month old kitten whom I saved from the street. When I brought her at first (she was barely 3 months old), she was very energetic and used to play a lot. Now, she isn't as playful as before and bores easily. Is this normal?

Thanks.

Heidi

Depending on the breed and personality, it seems that most cats calm down significantly. There's a difference between maturity and lethargy. I think one way you could tell a difference is if she is eating normal. The cats I had growing up were always sleeping. One only got excited by escaping and killing mice. The other was only interested in the dvd player when the tray moved in and out and watching my mom eat scrambled eggs. I think cats average 18 hours a day of sleep. They also seem to be fickle about everything, so one day they might love their toys and the next ignore them. Our 5 month old kitty is the most hyper thing,but sometimes its agonizing trying to get him to play a game for more than 5 min. He would rather be sleeping or making up his own games (trouble). Try shorter play sessions, 10-30 min a couple times a day. If her eating/weight changes or you literally don't seem him move during the day then you might want to take a closer look. Also, was she recently spayed?

No. I feel guilty about the spaying part. But she's a bit more vocal nowadays. To destress her, I sometimes take her for a stroll in the garden and get to know male cats. The flirt removes a lot of tension.

Sometimes cats get bored easily. Getting a new toy every now and then may help get her interested in playing. Have you tried interactive toys like da bird or a toy mouse for her to chase or a toy that you can put treats in? 

She doesn't even play nowadays...

She could also well be coming up to the time when she will start to go on heat, so strolls in the garden to get to know male cats will be something far more dramatic and violent than a simple walk.  Flirting with the boys really isn't a destresser for a cat.

It's important to know that The Cat Site is a pro spay and neuter site.  We really feel it is important.. this article is all about why.  

I'm a little concerned that she may be ill since she's been playing before and has cut down.  Have you taken her to the vet at all recently? It might be worth having her checked over.

But kittens and playing can be relative.  When they're really young it's all play/eat/sleep/play.  She may just be growing up.  

Mani, thank you for the reply. I am generally against spaying because I believe cats have a vocation as we do. However, I would like to know why cats cannot be spayed in adulthood. Do you know that the round trips to the garden alleviate all that moaning and crying and yelling my kitty does when she reaches her heat! She's currently sleeping quietly at home.

Cats can certainly spayed in adulthood.  But adulthood in a cat is over 1 year old, so it's not that long away.

It's good that the walk settles her, but she's only five months old, so her heat is going to get stronger and stronger as she ages.   I'm pretty sure that going on heat  is not a whole lot of fun for a cat, and mating certainly isn't.

I do hope you're not going to allow her to mate.. Kittens who get pregnant early can have very difficult births and there can be awful repercussions. 

Of course cats of any age can have issues with pregnancy:

 [article="33362"]How To Save Your Cat From These 16 Life Threatening Pregnancy Risks​[/article]