How Can I Stop My Cat From Waking Me Up?
Cats are loving, caring creatures who enjoy plenty of attention and playing with their owners. While this engagement builds a close bond between pet owners and their feline friends, it can be difficult to establish the boundaries for bedtime. Many cat owners find themselves being woken up during the early hours of the morning by their pet jumping on their bed or meowing outside their bedroom door. If this is sounding familiar, our experts here at Jaycliffe Pets are here to help. We have put together a list of top tips to help stop your cat from waking you up while you’re enjoying a peaceful sleep.
1.Is your cat in need of immediate attention?
If your cat is acting strange or unusually needy during the night, the main things to check are:
- Is your cat experiencing any pain or discomfort?
If so, you may need to take your pet to the vet as they may be suffering from a related health issue.
- Is their litter box clean?
Remember to check their litter tray at least twice a day, preferably before bedtime so it is clean for the night.
- Is their water bowl filled?
Make sure there is plenty of fresh water in your cat’s water bowl, replacing the water just before you go to bed yourself.
- Is your cat hungry?
While many cats choose to wake up their owner for food, this isn’t always because they are hungry. However, with this in mind it’s important to keep track of how often you feed your cat during the day to ensure they receive enough nourishment to last them through the evening.
If you notice that your cat is still hungry even after they have eaten more than the recommended amount, they may have a health issue such as worms, diabetes, hyperthyroidism so make sure you pay a visit to your local vet as soon as possible.
2. Excessive meowing during the night
Although it may be difficult to ignore your cat’s incessant meowing when they are sat outside your bedroom door, if you respond to their pleas by playing with them or giving them food then you are simply encouraging this behaviour. While it may seem easier to quickly get up and pour some food into the bowl, your pet will perceive this attention as reward so try your best not to pander to their meows.
To reduce the risk of being woken up, try feeding your cat just before you turn the lights out and go to sleep. While this may be a smaller portion than usual, it must be enough to constitute as a substantial meal and must fit with your cat’s daily allowance.
3. Play with your cat more during the day and just before bed
While there is no specified time limit on how often you should play with your cat, it’s recommended that you engage in three or four play sessions lasting 15 to 20 minutes at a minimum.
Remember: regular play sessions lasting 5 minutes is more beneficial than just one lasting for over half an hour – simply grab a play toy to entertain your cat for a few minutes whenever you can.
If you provide enough playful activity during the day for your cat, with one last play session before bed then your cat will be ready to go to sleep when the house is peaceful and quiet. Many cat owners live by the routine of a play session followed by a small meal just before going to sleep themselves – so why not give this tried and tested method a go and see how your cat gets on?
Here at Jaycliffe Pets we offer clean, state-of-the-art cattery facilities to ensure your cat feels comfortable and enjoys their stay. Whether your cat needs to stay with us temporarily or needs to be a long term resident of our cattery, our specialist staff are fully trained to care for your beloved pet, catering for all ages, needs, breeds and diets. Simply get in touch with our friendly team today for further information or to arrange an appointment.