How do we keep our cat from waking us up?

Question

Figaro sleeps all day, and then when we go to bed he wakes us up to let him out. We let him out only to be woken back up soon after by him meowing at the window to be let in. This tends to repeat its self all night, can we stop him? We really don't like letting him out at night but he just bugs us until we give in.

Answer 1

Make up your minds that Mr. Figaro is totally an indoor kitty.  All kitties are at risk when they are let out to roam around. I hope he has been neutered.  This will take awhile to accomplish since he is used to going out now but sooner or later he will give in and stop asking to go out.

Also leave some kibble out for him to snack on during the night as you sleep.

During the day roust him out and get him playing. Keep him awake as much as your time and inclination will allow.

Immediately before going to bed play hard with him. a feather tied to a yard stick usually works great with this or a ball for him to chase. Play until he is tired and wants to stop.

Answer 2

First realize that you cannot make a cat sleep when you do, but you can change their behavior. Many times in the morning they will meow like crazy because you get up and feed him, (hoping that will make him shut up) and go back to bed. They meow, then you get up and feed them, pet them or play--whatever you think they want. This is why they meow again later, because they know they will get a reaction from you. This is called conditioning.  So, you need to stop reacting; just ignore it.

More info:

Felines are nocturnal, (naturally more active at night or early morning hours).  They sleep a lot, (16 hours) mostly during the day.  When dusk or dawn sets in, their instinct tells them to hunt.  It is also the most productive time of the day to catch prey.

When you compare the cats sleeping habits and human sleeping habits, it’s actually no wonder when some felines are perfectly happy to wake us up at 3 am and ask for food or for entertainment.  We probably don't appreciate it as much and it can become quite a strain when those early wake-ups happen regularly.

• Schedule a vigorous play session, (at least 15 minutes) before you go to sleep, then feed the cat.  A cat that is all worn out from playing, and has a full belly will be less likely to bother you when you're asleep.

• Don't be tempted to get up and play with your cat in the middle of the night when it demands it.  If you do, your cat will make a habit of it and won't understand when you suddenly refuse. Remember, consistence in your behavior will be more effective in changing their behavior.

• Don't feed your cat as soon as you get up. Do your morning routine, such as make coffee, pet him and then feed him. This way he won’t think you got up only to feed him.

• If ignoring doesn't work, invest in an automatic feeder that opens at the requested early time, the cat will help itself and won't bother you as much, or, if you're feeding dry food, fill up the bowl just before you go to bed, so that there is still plenty left for the morning

• Keep your bedroom door shut, so that your cat can't physically wake you up

• If it starts meowing and scratches the door, try to ignore it and don't react, after a while your cat will figure out that meowing doesn't help and it will retire

• Be aware that any reaction of you, positive or negative, will actually encourage your cat to go on with the attention seeking behavior

• Be strict!

Answer 3

It sounds like you have been spoiling your kitty ;-))

You will have to make a complete change of habits to effect the needed results. First, buy some good nighttime ear plugs and give everyone in the family a pair.

Second, he does not get to go out at night anymore. It will take a few nights for him to get used to the new program but the humans will control the situation again.

Third, at bedtime everyone put in your earplugs and get some well deserved shut-eye.

Answer 4

EASY! I HAVE 10 CATS!

1.CATS ARE MOSTLY ACTIVE AT NIGHTS!

2.TRY PLAYING WITH HIM 10 MINUTES BEFORE YOU SLEEP!

3.TRY TAKING A LONG PIECE OF SOFT STRING OR ANYTHING SOFT AND PLAY WITH HIM!

4.THE MORE YOU PLAY THE MORE TIRED HE GETS!

5.WHEN HE'S TIRED PLAYING THEN HE WANTS TO SLEEP!

6.LET HIM GO SLEEP!

7.WHEN HE COMES IN TO WAKE YOU UP.DON'T IGNORE HIM HE MIGHT JUST PEE ON YOU TO SEND YOU A MESSAGE! TRY PLAYING WITH HIM A LITTLE MORE ON THE BED! HE WILL LEAVE YOU AFTER HIS PLAY!

PLEASE DON'T HIT THE CAT YOU WILL JUST CONFUSE IT!

IF THIS DOESN'T WORK THEN I'M SORRY! I HAVE CATS AND I STARTED TO TRAIN THEM FROM YOUNG! WHEN I SLEEP MY CAT JUST COMES TO MASSAGE MY BACK THEN HE GOES  TO SLEEP.ITS LIKE HIS DAILY ROUTINE! START TRAINING YOUR CAT! TAKE LITTLE STEPS!

                  GOOD LUCK! AND I HOPE YOU REST WELL!  

Answer 5

1)don't let your cat outside.

2) about 15 mins before you go to bed get out a string toy or something and have your cat running around like crazy to wear him out and then have one of your cat's feeding times be right before you go to bed.  they will sleep longer and let you sleep longer.

if that doesn't work get a large dog crate and a small litter box and put the litter box in the large dog crate along with a bunch of toys and don't forget a nice cozy towel or blanket in there put some water in there and food.  and if your cat bother's you in the night or before going to bed put him in there.  make sure that your cat has enough room in there that he can have some room to sprall out and all.  I had to do this with my cats for about 3 months and then I haven't had to use it ever since

Answer 6

Well if you are at home during the day, you can wake him up and try to keep him awake. Also, let him outside BEFORE you get into bed. And then let him back in BEFORE you get into bed. Once you've done this go to bed. Cats are like other pets as well as children they like a routine. Once you get the cat onto a routine it will be easier for both of you (the cat and yourself.)

Answer 7

Best bet is to start waking him up during the day, to decrease the chances of him being up at night. Let him out during the day, and then at night, bring him in.

If he still wakes up at night wanting out, ignore him. You just gotta stop letting him get his way in that sense.

Also, if you kept him all indoors it would be much easier =) And safer for him and so many other cats too.

Answer 8

shut him in a room in ur house where you can't hear him meow with a litter box and some food  at night and let him outside in the day time

Answer 9

Put him in a room on the other side of the house where you cannot hear him.   Are you home to keep him away during the day?

It's hard to ignore him, but you must if you want him to stop.

Try using a fan near the window to drown out his meowing.