We all love our cats, but if they're suddenly full of energy as soon as the sun goes down and you're trying to sleep, it can be a little frustrating. Cats are naturally more active at night, and your kitty may want to play when you want to rest.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to calm your cat before you go to bed. Some of them are very simple and you can try them right away; others need a little more time to organize. Either way, we're confident that our tips will help you get a better night's sleep and help your kitty get the attention he deserves.
Add variety to your cat's daily routine
The busier your cat is during the day, the less likely she is to want to play after dark. Making sure your cat has plenty of healthy activities is a great way to keep her active during daylight hours.
Consider adding things like cat trees, food puzzles, and interactive toys. If your cat is an indoor cat but you have a backyard, you can even build a cat enclosure so they can spend plenty of time observing the local wildlife.
Setting up a bird feeding station near a window is also a way to give your cat something interesting to look at during the day.
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How to calm a kitten or adult cat when he's mad
Most often problems arise with kittens. Hyperactivity in children is the norm, explained by an inexhaustible supply of energy and increased excitability of the nervous system. Before acquiring a new family member, it is recommended to secure the apartment in the following ways:
- block or remove the blinds control chains;
- remove long curtains or replace them with shorter ones;
- place all fragile and valuable items in closed cabinets or on top shelves;
- Isolate access to wires, outlets and small spaces where you might accidentally get stuck.
Owners of older pets should also be on alert. Adults, like kids, love to play pranks, and the methods for calming them down are identical.
Distraction method
A toy, a sharp sound (clapping hands, whistling) or splashes from a spray bottle are suitable for distraction. By switching attention to another object, the cat will calm down a little and reduce its ardor.
Ignore method
It is recommended to use it every time a furious kitten begins to scratch and bite its legs. In such a situation, it is necessary to abruptly stop the game and leave the room, leaving the pet alone.
Education method
A combination of punishment and reward systems will help you get rid of bad behavior. The first includes:
- light tapping (but not a literal click) on the nose;
- spray from a spray bottle;
- gently grabbing the scruff of the neck and then pressing it to the floor.
Remember that you can punish a pet only at the moment of committing an offense or immediately after its completion. Delayed punishments do not work because animals quickly forget the events that happened.
Treats, praise and affection are suitable as rewards. They, like punishment, should be applied immediately after a certain action has been committed.
Food method
Reinforcement with food is only effective as a reward. If you use it every time your cat gets mad, it will make the unwanted behavior worse.
Give treats only if the pet reacts to your prohibitions. For encouragement, a special treat that is not included in the main diet is suitable.
How to calm an active kitten at night
With the onset of dusk, many mustachioed pets are possessed by demons. This is natural due to the nocturnal lifestyle, but is completely reversible. Changing your daily routine will help reduce activity. To do this you will need:
- move all outdoor games (running after a laser, chasing wind-up mice, rustling bows or teasing fishing rods) to the evening;
- Feed your pet tightly right before bedtime shortly after playing.
Please note that the completion of the game should be smooth. Stopping catching the teaser too abruptly is fraught with an attack on the legs and even greater madness.
The cleanliness of the tray and the availability of drinking water play a significant role. If the cat is not bothered by anything, then he is more likely to sleep with you until the morning.
It is also recommended to stop any activity in the bedroom. When sleeping together, your pet must distinguish between a place to play and rest.
Feed your cat before bed
Cats have a natural rhythm to their day, which includes hunting and catching prey, eating, grooming, and then sleeping. The best way to encourage your cat to sleep is to follow this rhythm!
After you've had a good time playing with your cat to imitate hunting and catching part of its rhythm, it's time to feed your cat. This can give them the satisfaction they would naturally feel if they caught something in the wild and then settled down to eat it.
Once your cat has a nice full tummy, she will be ready for some nice grooming and then some sleep. Timing the start of their sleep cycle to coincide with your bedtime means they are less likely to wake you if they are full of energy when you go to bed.
Tip #4
To make the educational process more effective, you can reward the kitten for good behavior. For example, when he stopped meowing loudly, at the request of the owner, got off the curtain, and stopped playing too rough, he should be praised and treated to his favorite delicacies.
But there must be consistency here: you should not overpraise your pet or do it too often, otherwise he will try to receive encouragement as often as possible.
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Leave toys for your cat to play with.
Most cats wake up at least twice during the night, at which point they will be ready to begin their cycle of hunting, catching, eating, grooming, and sleeping again! If your cat can't find anything interesting to play with because you've put all her toys away, she'll probably come looking for you!
Leave a few of your cat's favorite toys for her to play with at night. You can even get interactive, battery-powered toys that are activated by your cat's touch.
Health problems or bad upbringing?
It is extremely important to understand whether the pet is simply trying to attract the owner’s attention through its behavior, as any capricious child does, or whether it is sick and really needs help. To do this, most likely, you will have to watch the animal a little.
Cats suffering from poor health usually meow with an unusual intonation. It may sound like a yelp or howl. Such alarming symptoms, for example, loss of appetite, constant restlessness, restlessness, endless attempts to find the most comfortable place for yourself where you can lie quietly, should not be ignored.
Having noticed such changes in behavior in an animal, you should not punish him for the inconvenience caused, but take him for an examination to a veterinarian, who will help determine what exactly is bothering him.
Buy an automatic document feeder
If your cat gets hungry at night and can't find food, she will come looking for her human to feed her.
Using an automatic feeder is a great way to give your cat a limited amount of food at night without having to deliver it yourself! Your cat will soon learn to sit and wait for the feeder to give her food instead of coming and waking you up.
You can also purchase slow feeders shaped like small mice. You can fill them with a kibble before bed and place them around the house for your cat to sniff and “hunt” while you sleep.
Medicines
Calming tablets are the most radical way to correct the hormonal levels of “walking” cats. Conventionally, they can be divided into two main types:
- Hormonal. They block sexual arousal, interrupting estrus. There are many drugs of domestic and foreign production on sale, the most popular of which are “Stop Intim”, “Gestrenol”, “Sex Barrier”, “Anti Meow”, “Pillkan”.
- Mild sedatives, including homeopathic ones. Tablet drops “Cat Bayun”, “Feliway”, as well as “Suprastin” or regular “Valocordin” help relieve emotional and physical stress.
Ferromones. The synthetic ferromone “Feliway”, produced in the form of a diffuser, shows itself well in practice. The device is connected to an outlet and operates within the entire apartment or a separate room (depending on the area). One package is designed to be used for approximately 4 weeks.
You can now view the current price of sedatives and buy them right here:
Which of the above methods will work can only be determined by trial and error. The main thing is to be patient and understand that the cat is not engaged in “sabotage” on purpose, but at the call of nature.
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Two cats are better than one
It may seem counterintuitive, but if your cat wakes you up at night because she's looking for someone to play with, then another cat might be the answer! Two cats are more likely to play with each other and have fun.
Just be aware that they may make noise as they jump around the house, and sometimes this can be as disturbing as your lonely cat bothering you. However, for some cats this is a great solution.
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How to calm a scared cat or kitten
Another reason for restless behavior is fear caused by fear or nervous tension. It is expressed by the following behavioral changes:
- prolonged licking of one part of the body;
- very loud purring, soothing with its vibrations;
- indifference to food or unusual gluttony;
- perversion of appetite (eating inedible objects);
- hiding in dark and inaccessible places;
- profuse drooling;
- loud meowing or hissing;
- involuntary urination;
- freezing in place or an emergency attempt to hide from sight.
A cat can be frightened by a change in familiar surroundings, the appearance of a new family member, the sound of thunder, a trip to the veterinarian and other ordinary situations. To calm down, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of fear or prove that it does not pose a real danger.
Be sure to take into account the condition of your pet. Some will need consolation in the form of affection from the owner, while others will prefer to rethink everything alone.
In the first case, behave as usual. A voice that is too insinuating and comforting can increase the animal’s fear. It is better to act according to the following algorithm:
- Take a few steps back to give your cat more personal space. Don't try to pick her up.
- Start a normal conversation in a gentle and quiet voice, sitting on the floor. Being a little taller will reduce your potential danger.
- If the cat does not show aggression, approach and pet it. Otherwise, wait for her to take the initiative. Until this moment, you can hold out her favorite treat in your hand.
Particular attention should be paid to the environment. Isolate your pet from other animals and children by placing its sleeping area in the quietest and most protected area.
If you experience frequent attacks of fear, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. In some situations, you cannot do without taking sedatives.
Provide your cat with a safe den
If your cat feels insecure because she doesn't have a safe place to sleep, she will be more likely to wander around your house at night.
Provide your cat with a variety of bed options. Many cats love the security of an igloo bed with a roof so they can curl up in a dark space.
If your cat likes to spend time high up in cat trees or bookshelves, then providing them with a raised bed can help them feel safe enough to fall asleep.
Kitten behavior in a new place
If a kitten is taken away from its mother early, it may have problems adapting to a new place, decreased immunity, etc. Therefore, this should be done as late as possible. If he cries at the time of weaning, then you should not take him away. It's better to wait 1-2 months.
The move should be comfortable for him, both physically and mentally. It is better to transport him in the car in a special carrier that protects him from external irritants, inside which a familiar toy and soft bedding are placed. Transporting it on public transport is dangerous.
There is no need to create a stir around your pet in a new place. All family members should get to know him in turn.
It is important to limit his access to items that are potentially hazardous to health.
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Take your cat to the vet
If your cat keeps you awake by meowing excessively, rather than demanding time to play or eat, she may be in pain. If you have any doubts as to why your cat is restless at night, be sure to schedule an examination with your local veterinarian. There may be an underlying problem with your cat and it is important to get it checked out.
Posted by Christian Adams An American expat living in Metro Manila, Philippines for over a decade, Christian is a lifelong cat lover and the proud father of two rescue cats, Trixie and Chloe. Both girls used to be among the crowds of homeless people who roam the cities and countryside. Three-year-old Trixie was rescued from a litter found under a neighbor's porch, and two-year-old Chloe was brought home by Christian's young son, Henry, who discovered the crying kitten in the parking lot.
Methods to Avoid
Without a doubt, excessive nighttime activity of pets causes their owners a lot of inconvenience, but even in this case, the use of some educational measures should be abandoned. Such undesirable methods include:
- Trying to lock the cat in the bathroom, closet or any other room.
It is unlikely that you will be able to train a cat to sleep at night in this way, because the offended animal will only protest louder against its unjust imprisonment. - Punishing an animal without finding out the reason for its behavior.
Some owners splash restless cats with water, try to shout at them, or even throw something at them. But these methods, as a rule, do not give a positive result for more than a few minutes. Having recovered from the shock, the animal often begins to behave even more intolerably. - The desire to calm the cat by petting or playing with it.
The animal will, of course, stop meowing and making noise, but will quickly understand how to get the owner’s attention at any time.
Why does a kitten not let you sleep at night and what should you do about it?
As soon as you have acquired the long-awaited kitten, some problems immediately arise, one of which is the pet not sleeping at night. The owners are tired from the day and are sleeping, but he is awake, playing or meowing out of habit. First the cat meows to be let into the bedroom, then to be let out. During the day, people need to go to work or school, but the mustache goes to bed and rests until the evening. And there again...
Of course, young animals are naturally playful, but the kitten must be aware of the limits of its territory, as well as the limits of the master's bedroom. To do this, you need to know what the causes of cat insomnia are and how to deal with it.
