Hello, and thanks for reading my post. After living with a roommate and her cat for the past 2 1/2 years, I recently moved into my own place and adopted a cute black cat named Otis. He's been home for 2 days, and I'm feeling overwhelmed and a little depressed. I've read several threads about how this is normal, so that makes me feel a little better. Still, I hope I didn't make a mistake. I really loved my roommate's cat (sadly deceased), but ultimately I was not the primary caregiver.
Anyway, one thing I'm trying to deal with is sleep. I have a sleep disorder so I really need to get a good night's sleep. This isn't helped by Otis waking me at 4AM! I live in a large studio apartment that is divided into a couple of rooms, but my bedroom doesn't have a door. I've decided I want to try to not let him sleep in the bedroom. I have two options for this: 1) A barricade that I put together that will go between the bedroom and rest of the apartment, or 2) Put him in the small 4 x 6 room where his litter box is and which does have a door - and shut him in there for the night. I'd also give him a bed, some water & kibble, and toys I got today. Clearly option 2 will guarantee he can't bug me while I sleep, but I'm afraid it's too drastic. Have any of you ever tried something like that? Or what have you done in this situation?
I'm also going to play with him before bed tonight and feed him before I go to sleep.
I want to try to make this work and I don't want to be cruel just because I need to sleep, but sleep is important to me.
Thanks!
Anyway, one thing I'm trying to deal with is sleep. I have a sleep disorder so I really need to get a good night's sleep. This isn't helped by Otis waking me at 4AM! I live in a large studio apartment that is divided into a couple of rooms, but my bedroom doesn't have a door. I've decided I want to try to not let him sleep in the bedroom. I have two options for this: 1) A barricade that I put together that will go between the bedroom and rest of the apartment, or 2) Put him in the small 4 x 6 room where his litter box is and which does have a door - and shut him in there for the night. I'd also give him a bed, some water & kibble, and toys I got today. Clearly option 2 will guarantee he can't bug me while I sleep, but I'm afraid it's too drastic. Have any of you ever tried something like that? Or what have you done in this situation?
I'm also going to play with him before bed tonight and feed him before I go to sleep.
I want to try to make this work and I don't want to be cruel just because I need to sleep, but sleep is important to me.
Thanks!