Cat scratches door then runs!

[thenautilus]

Hi! My kitty Mama is a couple years old and she never used to do this but it started about 6 months ago. She thinks its a fun game to scratch at the door around 2-4 in the morning and book it to a hiding place before we open the door. In the beginning when she would do this, she'd run just around the corner and sit there. Now she books it up both sets of stairs to behind the couch. She is an indoor and outdoor cat, but she has never been let outside at that time, and she knows she's not allowed out at night.

She gets fed plenty, her water is always full and fresh.She has plenty of toys and other stimulants, she always gets attention and played with all day whenever she wants it haha (She's a sassy adorable little princess).

My boyfriend and I strictly don't let her or our other cat Griffin into the bedroom at night because we are both light sleepers and the cats will rummage through things, knock over water glasses, chew on phone charger cords, and worst of all they jump up on our desks with our monitors and my fish tank. They have knocked a monitor off the desk causing it to be hanging by it's cord. They can not be in that room at night, no exceptions.

How do I stop Mama from scratching on the door? And how do I stop her from running once she scratches? We have tried everything from following them to see what they want, playing with them before bed, putting double sided tape on the places they scratch on the door, and worst case the spray bottle. (We found out that doesn't stop her. It provokes her to do it more and louder) I can't handle it anymore. I love her so much but she's driving me crazy haha. Its to the point where I locked her in the laundry room with her cat box,toys, food, and water haha. Please help! My sleep begs you!

 

[thenautilus]

I also must add we tried ignoring her but after 3 months of her not changing that habit we decided to look for help.

 

[foxden]

T thenautilus
Welcome to TCS.
Bumping this so more members see it

 

[kittykisa]

I also must add we tried ignoring her but after 3 months of her not changing that habit we decided to look for help.

If she's been doing this for 3 months and you've tried most things, it's unlikely that she'll easily be able to stop. My best advice would be to see a vet or a cat behaviour specialist, none of us here can give you any solid advice as to why she's doing this and how to get her to stop. I do hope someone with more knowledge than me comes along to help you out, though! I hope everything works out

 

[cat nap]

Hi @thenautilus...I liked the way you ended your post with "please help! My sleep begs you!"  

 

I sure hope we can suggest some ideas, or there are other threads in the "Search" bar, above, that has some similar cats, and some more ideas to solve this.

(I too am a light sleeper, and sometimes have to wear 'soft foam ear plugs' to cut out noise.)

As for your cats, it does sound like Mama, is playing a game with you at night, since she is waiting for you, and got a reaction, and now does it again.

Can you possibly put some cardboard and 'remnant carpet pieces' on the door, so that when the cats do scratch, they are scratching the carpet, and cardboard, ...which should muffle the sound.

Sometimes, you need that 'foam under-padding for carpet,' to truly muffle the sound.

Carpet remnants, you can find in some hardware stores like home depot, or carpet stores. You don't need a big piece, so even a small 'carpet type runner', or carpet mat, would do.

(If you need to protect the door from scratches, then a layer of 'plastic plexiglass' usually works, acrylic, or polycarbonate sheets, to prevent the scratches.)

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Glass-Plastic-Sheets/N-5yc1vZbrdg

I know that members have mentioned using 'foil paper' to keep cats away from counters, and off of tables, but I'm not sure if this would keep them from scratching a door.

Maybe try the foil paper, under supervision, and see if that works. As long as Mama, or Griffin do not eat it, then it would be okay.

As for the 'running away', once she scratches...yeah...I don't know. It sounds like it's all fun and games to her. That particular time, from 2-4 am is when my cats are active, too. Sometimes, it's 12am, sometimes, it's 4am. What you are already doing by playing with them before bedtime, and giving them a meal, sounds like it should work. Maybe just try changing the times, that you do play, and see if that makes a difference. Good Luck.