Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life

Cat Model, Therapy Cat, and Cat Lifestyle Expert

  • Home
  • Diary
  • Kitty Wisdom
  • Catinees
  • Store
    • Cat Beds
    • Cat Stuff for Humans
      • Cat Calendars
      • Cat Gifts
      • Cat Jewelry for Humans
      • Cat Stationery
      • Cat T-Shirts
    • Cat Trees, Towers and Furniture
    • Designer Cat Collars
    • Interactive Cat Toys
    • Litterbox Furniture, Cabinets and Covers
    • Scratching Posts and Cat Scratchers
    • Special Items for Special Kittys
  • Advice
  • Book Reviews
  • About
  • Contact Summer
    • -Advertise Here!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fan Club
You are here: Home / Advice / Dear Sparkle: Am I Really Crazy Like Humans Say I Am?

Dear Sparkle: Am I Really Crazy Like Humans Say I Am?

October 24, 2013 By: Sparkle Cat38 Comments

Dear Sparkle,
I think I may be in big trouble. When I was a tiny kitten, I got separated from the rest of my family. Some humans found me and took me to this place to live with a bunch of other kittens and young cats. It was fun! All I had to do was play all day with my friends, and occasionally humans I didn’t know would come over and play with me too. Eventually one of these strangers took me home. I thought we were going to be great pals and I had lots of fun stalking this human and attacking him. I even learned how to ambush him from above by balancing on top of a door and jumping! But then he started to get mad at me and it seemed like he was always yelling at me whenever I tried to play. Then one day he shoved me in a big plastic box and took me back to my old home. He told the humans there I was “crazy” and “unmanageable.” I was hurt by that, but at least I was back with my old kitty friends — and some new ones too.

Well, a couple of weeks later, another human decided to take me home with her. I thought maybe she would be more fun than the other human, but she doesn’t seem to like my games either. In fact, once when I was ambushing her, I jumped on her a little too hard and drew blood — and she began crying! I felt really bad about that and tried purring to make her feel better. Maybe it worked because she said it was okay, and “it wasn’t my fault.” But I still can’t get her to enjoy my stalking and attack games, and I’m worried she will take me back to my old home too. I’m starting to feel like there is something wrong with me. Or is it the humans that are wrong?
Signed,
Confused

Dear Confused,
There is nothing wrong with you at all. You are a very normal, hyperactive teenage kitten! And I will be polite and say it’s not so much that the humans are wrong as they are ignorant. Hm. I thought I was being polite, even if it didn’t come out quite that way. And since ignorance can be teachable, maybe that is the politest way to put it.

Humans always think they want kittens because they are cute and fun and playful — and then they get upset because these cute, fun kittens play rough! And most humans don’t realize there are right ways and wrong ways to play with kittens like you, who are especially bright, imaginative and active. When you are with other kittens and young cats, you learn boundaries and limits because your friends tell you in no uncertain terms when you have gone too far. Humans, with their furless appendages, are more fragile and when you get too excited and land a few scratches on an arm or an ankle, they tend to complain and call you “crazy.” Smarter humans will play with you using toys on strings, or balls or nip mice they can throw for you to chase — any sort of play that does not involve them using their hands and fingers to interact with you. Humans are supposed to know that hands are for petting and feeding, not for playing — and they also should make time to pull out toys and play with you daily.

Now, what to do with your present human? The best thing to do is to take out your excess energy on other things and not on her. When I was a kitten, I used to beat up the blankets and bedspread regularly. Doing sprints around the house is a good idea too. Play with things that aren’t attached to your human, and at least you won’t injure her. It sounds to me like she likes you, and perhaps she is teachable, but you know what? If she packs you up and hauls you back to your old home, it is not the end of the world. You have lots of friends there — and if any of the humans in charge there are savvy, maybe instead of taking you back, they will convince your human to adopt a friend for you — because having a buddy to mess around with would be the best way for you to burn off all your energy, and have lots of fun doing it.

Share5
Tweet
Pin1
Buffer
Pocket
Email
6 Shares
* * *

Subscribe to my blog posts here!

Summer's 2023 Monthly Wall Calendar My New 2023 Calendar is out! Get it here
Check out the rest of Summer's merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop

Comments

  1. Amelia Hughes says

    October 27, 2013 at 6:58 am

    Excellent advice Sparkle! As they say in Boston {full disclosure I am not a native but I hear this ALL the time} you are wicked smmmahhhht. If I translate that to any other city I have lived in it means you are very smart!

    Reply
  2. Texas, a cat in... Austin says

    October 25, 2013 at 11:23 am

    The humans should really read your books, Sparkle!

    Reply
  3. Savannah's Paw Tracks says

    October 25, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Brilliant Sparkle, as always. Do you know we had a kitten returned to my former shelter last year ‘cuz she was “too affectionate”…peeps are sure hard to purrlease…IMHFO

    Reply
  4. Austin Towers says

    October 25, 2013 at 5:38 am

    Some humans have a much steeper learning curve than others, that’s for sure. x

    Reply
  5. Spitty the Kitty says

    October 24, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Sparkle, how did you get so smart? Did you go to Mewniversity or sumfing?

    Reply
  6. Angel Abby says

    October 24, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Just keep on trying to teach that human!

    Reply
  7. Shoko & Kali says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    You are so right Sparkle. Humans don’t think things all the way through. This cute kitteh that beats everything up is expelling excess energy not just playing for the human’s amusement. This kitteh is like this most of the time so if a human doesn’t like playing with kitteh for hours, then don’t blame the kitteh. He has shown you what he is like most of the time. Good call Sparkle.

    Reply
  8. Oui Oui says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Its truly sad when people dump kittens because they act like kittens. And kittens have those sharp razor like claws too! Hopefully the people will wise up and use the proper cat toys and not their hands to play with cats, so a lesson well taught, Sparkle.

    Reply
  9. Lin says

    October 24, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Oh, Sparkle, you gave really good advice.

    We had a kitten who was separated from her litter and she played rough too. She needed another kitten to roughhouse with–NOT a human. So, we bought her a dog toy–one with rope arms and legs, ears and a long rope tail. This would be Ruth’s new littermate. When we played with her, we would let her bite, rabbit-kick, and scratch the toy. She would bite the ears and attack the tail–all things kittens do with their littermates. It worked. She never bit us again!

    People just don’t get it sometimes.

    Reply
  10. Katie Bella says

    October 24, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Sparkle, I wish this came as a set of directions for each and every clueless human out there who does NOT know how to live with kittens. ❗

    Reply
  11. Kitties Blue says

    October 24, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Excellent advice, as always, Sparkle. They didn’t do it with Calista (Astrid and Lisbeth are only 10 months older), but our humans believe in adopting in pairs. Kittens do have an inordinate amount of energy and sometimes it is impossible to wear them out. Chasing each other throughout the house burns gobs of kitten energy. Calista and Astrid do lots of this. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    Reply
  12. Baby Tali says

    October 24, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I was a crazy hyper kitty too..but my humans never would has given up on me..they is not giver uppers..Good luck little kitty 😥 ..Great advice Miss Sparkle!

    Reply
  13. Ragdoll mommy says

    October 24, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Hello,Sparkle! I love your blog! I found my way to your blog by going to Katie Isabella’s blog.

    Aren’t you a Somali? That’s a kind of cat breed.
    I hope to see you soon!

    http://LifewithRagdoll.blogspot.com

    Kisses.

    Ragdoll Mommy~

    Reply
  14. Brian says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Poor little one. I hope the human is a good one for that sweetie.

    Reply
  15. Grace says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    A cat is going to be a cat and if you can’t deal with that then you shouldn’t be living with a cat…My husband sometimes gets cranky when the cats act like cats and I have to remind him – that’s what they do and HE has to adjust.

    Reply
  16. Harvey Button says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Be patient with that Human, there IS HOPE!

    Harvey Button 😀

    Reply
  17. Pasha says

    October 24, 2013 at 11:41 am

    You are just the kind our human likes the most Dear Confused! We wish you the best!

    Reply
  18. Mags Corner says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:51 am

    Oh, we like your advice sweet Sparkle. What a wise kitty you are. Hugs and nose kisses

    Reply
  19. BeadedTail says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:42 am

    There’s lots of humans that need to be trained about what being a kitten is really all about so this is great advice Sparkle!

    Reply
  20. Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101) says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Hopefully the human in question with read up on cat behavior or consult a behaviorist.

    Reply
  21. Famous SpokesGoat Pricilla says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:13 am

    Some humans just don’t understand young animals no matter the species. We are all very lucky with our publicist. She knows that with kids and kittens there will be hijinks!

    Reply
  22. Emma and Buster says

    October 24, 2013 at 9:56 am

    great advice sparkle. now if there is someone to advice the humans, that would really really help too.

    Reply
  23. Tillie and Georgia says

    October 24, 2013 at 9:40 am

    Good advice as this kitten may have a teachable human.
    There is a reason some toys are labeled “Kitten toys”
    You would think some humans would get a clue 😐
    We hope this kitty has a good outcome 🙂
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
    Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie

    Reply
  24. Feline Yogi says

    October 24, 2013 at 9:24 am

    I’m lucky in that both my humans understand how to live with cats. For those that don’t you are an excellent spokescat for getting the word out Sparkle! Keep up the good work!
    Meow and Namste! ~ Pippy the Feline Yognini

    Reply
  25. Jobi and Fisher says

    October 24, 2013 at 9:22 am

    Ah, the teenage years! Great advice, Sparkle. I hope confused pays close attention to every word.

    Reply
  26. Glogirly & Katie says

    October 24, 2013 at 9:09 am

    Dear Sparkle,
    Everyone says I’M crazy too. The Boss. Glogirly. Even Gloman.
    …but I think they kinda like it! As long as I can make them laugh, I know I’m doing something right.
    love, Waffles

    Reply
  27. Marg says

    October 24, 2013 at 7:47 am

    Good advice and I betcha, that when Confused gets a little older, he won’t do all that stuff any more.That was such good advice though. Take care.

    Reply
  28. Random Felines says

    October 24, 2013 at 7:23 am

    great advice…. we recommend people adopt kittens in pairs for that reason. and our fosters lost even more of their minds last night and were running around the house like it was a racetrack 🙂

    Reply
  29. Fraidy Kats! says

    October 24, 2013 at 7:18 am

    Great post, Sparkle! we like your idea for a kitty-buddy too!

    Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

    Reply
  30. Nerissa's Life says

    October 24, 2013 at 7:15 am

    Well said!

    Purrs,
    Nissy

    Reply
  31. Hannah and Lucy says

    October 24, 2013 at 5:11 am

    We think your advice abut getting a companion was spot on Sparkle.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

    Reply
  32. Madi and Mom says

    October 24, 2013 at 4:48 am

    Purrfect advice Sparkle…in my 11 years I have found it is the humans who are crazy.
    Hugs Madi your BFFF

    Reply
  33. The Poupounette Gang says

    October 24, 2013 at 4:02 am

    Very wise advice, especially about urging your human to adopt another kitten!

    Purrs,
    The Chans

    Reply
  34. Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal says

    October 24, 2013 at 3:09 am

    Pawsome advice´s Sparkle !

    Reply
  35. Toby & Leia says

    October 24, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Oh, good luck with your hoomin. We hope she learns how to live with you properly.

    Reply
  36. Sometimes, Cats Herd You says

    October 24, 2013 at 3:06 am

    Great advice, as always, Sparkle! This sounds like a promising human that will be able to be trained.

    Reply
  37. The Kitties of Purring Pines says

    October 24, 2013 at 2:46 am

    Excellent advise! We think this hooman is teachable. Happy Purrsday!

    Reply
  38. d'ArtagnanRumblepurr (@rumblepurr) says

    October 24, 2013 at 1:45 am

    Excellent advice Miss Sparkle.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me Here!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Our Sponsor

Get Summer’s Newsletter!

Stay up to date and get subscriber-only exclusives!

Sign Up For Summer’s Weekly Newsletter!

Follow me on Flipboard!

My Zazzle Store!

Buy from Sparkle's Zazzle Store
T-Shirts, cards, mugs and more!

Summer on Video

Tweets by @sparklecat
Powered by Dealspotr
Read my blog on Kindle
Winner Best Cat Blog Dogtime Petties 2014 Winner Best Cat Blog Dogtime Petties 2010 I won Best Blog Post!
BlogPaws 2016 Nose-to-Nose Awards Finalist badge

Copyright © 2023 ·