Night-time help (so sleep deprived)

KarenIrl

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How do I get my young cat to ‘behave’ at night in our bedroom? I have had cats all my life, but usually from when they were very young kittens. Dot is about 6 months old and has been with us for about 7 weeks. She turned up at our door with a severe break in her tail. We took her to the vet, most of the tail had to be amputated, we had her neutered at the same time. I think she might have been a barn cat - used to having humans around, but not living in a house. She is very energetic and has excellent hunting skills (spiders, moths, flies). The biggest problem is nighttime. I want to be able to leave the bedroom door open so that she can come and go as she pleases. I tried playing with her and feeding before I went to bed but if she isn’t tired, she attacks the bedclothes, tearing at them, even if I am not moving. Or she just runs round, ’killing’ the rugs, bouncing off all the furniture, you get the picture! So, we resorted to shutting the bedroom door. Which works until early morning, when she starts scratching at the door and miaowing. I’m a light sleeper, so it wakes me up. We have been ignoring her until a reasonable hour, currently 6.30, but it still means I’ve been awake since 4.30! How can I get her to settle in the bedroom at night?
 

jefferd18

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How do I get my young cat to ‘behave’ at night in our bedroom? I have had cats all my life, but usually from when they were very young kittens. Dot is about 6 months old and has been with us for about 7 weeks. She turned up at our door with a severe break in her tail. We took her to the vet, most of the tail had to be amputated, we had her neutered at the same time. I think she might have been a barn cat - used to having humans around, but not living in a house. She is very energetic and has excellent hunting skills (spiders, moths, flies). The biggest problem is nighttime. I want to be able to leave the bedroom door open so that she can come and go as she pleases. I tried playing with her and feeding before I went to bed but if she isn’t tired, she attacks the bedclothes, tearing at them, even if I am not moving. Or she just runs round, ’killing’ the rugs, bouncing off all the furniture, you get the picture! So, we resorted to shutting the bedroom door. Which works until early morning, when she starts scratching at the door and miaowing. I’m a light sleeper, so it wakes me up. We have been ignoring her until a reasonable hour, currently 6.30, but it still means I’ve been awake since 4.30! How can I get her to settle in the bedroom at night?



I can sympathize as I too an a light sleeper and every little noise wakes me. The only thing that has helped me is to wear earplugs. I would also suggest maybe putting her in another room at night until she grows up a little bit more.
 

ArtNJ

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Ignoring should work eventually.

In my younger days, I tried squirting or chasing the cat off. Doesn't work at all in this context. Any response is a response. So the cat will just evade you. And the cat will have successfully gotten attention in some fashion and come right back to the door once you close it again. You won't get back to sleep and ignoring will be all the harder.
 

rubysmama

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Hello and welcome to TCS. :wave2: Thanks for rescuing Dot and giving her a home. :petcat:

About her nighttime antics, I think once she gets a bit older, she'll settle down at night. But right now I feel for you. Sleep deprivation isn't fun.

Here's a TCS article that addresses the night time issue: How To Stop My Cat From Waking Me Up At Night (step-by-step Plan)

Good luck. Hope you get some full night sleeps soon. :sleep2: :catlove:
 

Suru

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I would continue to ignore her. When my cat did the same at 5 months old, I opened the door and hiss really loudly in his face, then I closed the door and he didn't try again for the day :flail:It took a few days before he learned that when I said "goodnight", it means not to disturb me until I emerge in the morning. These days he's taken residence in the kitchen - too many doors removed from me for me to know how he overcomes his nightly boredom before his cat door is opened for the day.

I learned how to hiss from his sister. She was such a princess and would hiss at him for even being a tiny bit rough, and he would obediently comply. As a result, he's a very gentle cat, and they still get along great, so I figured that if she can do it, I could too! and it works!
 

cookiedough03

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not sure this is helpful, but for your situation, I would have the cat sleep in another room with water food toys and litter box and close the door. other options include using a big cage with all necessities only locked at night, but might not be convenient. after a while she will get used to sleeping in one area and won't bother you. it takes time.
 

cataholic07

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Are you doing a massive play time and big last meal? If not I would recommend it, it means the kitten will sleep for longer. Unfortunately the only thing you can do is ignore them. If my kitties dont sleep in my room I usually dont wake up until 7 when my mom gets up. When they do sleep in my room the cats usually wake me up at 5 am.. but I just go back to bed lol.
 
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