How to Stop Your Cat Waking You at Night

1 Stopping Nighttime Cat Disturbances

Many new owners lose sleep to a lively pet. If this bothers you, learn to manage your cat better.

Burn off the cat’s energy

Cats are nocturnal, with different rhythms from people.

By day they’re often calm; at night they’re full of life.

Spend time playing with the cat by day to use up some energy.

Meet basic needs

A hungry cat or one annoyed by a dirty litter box will meow.

To avoid midnight meowing, check food before bed and clean the box.

Build a regular feeding habit

Feed at set times; don’t feed when it meows or rubs you.

That teaches it meowing is the best way to get food.

Try a timed automatic feeder set for midnight.

Once the cat learns the machine’s schedule, it goes to the bowl itself — no more bothering you.

Keep the cat out of the bedroom

If your cat is lively and noisy,

keep it out of your bedroom.

Prepare a safe room

Comfortable, warm, with water and food; don’t open even if it cries at the door.

The cat will gradually get used to being alone at night and stop disturbing you.

Ignore the meowing

Don’t answer the cat’s calls.

When a cat cries at night out of habit, it may just want attention.

Leave it be; don’t reply verbally or call it.

If you appear or respond whenever it cries, you encourage more crying.

At first, if the crying is unbearable, use earplugs.

Slowly the cat learns no one hears, however it cries.

Stop the cat biting

If the cat gently bites your fingers or toes in sleep, don’t let it win.

Cover up with a blanket before sleep.

You can also wear socks, so the cat won’t take your twitching toes for prey.

Also give catnip toys, sisal balls, scratching posts, or other chew toys it likes.

Finally, whatever method you use, stay firm. When your decision concerns the cat, don’t waver. In training, enforce it consistently — once the cat sees you mean it, it obeys the new arrangement.