How to get your cat to sleep the night

Discussion in 'Behaviour & Training' started by BeautifulAngel, Jul 30, 2012.

  1. BeautifulAngel

    BeautifulAngel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2012
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    2
    My boyfriend and I just recently got a kitten and she has a difficult time sleeping during the night time. We've tried to get her tired before bed and she still wakes up at 6 am every morning wanting to play. We're not sure what to do since we've tried the spray bottle and also making loud noises as well as trying to cuddle her/ pet her to calm her down.

    Any advice or help is really appreciated!

    Thank you!
     
    BeautifulAngel, Jul 30, 2012
    #1
  2. BeautifulAngel

    Victor Leigh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2011
    Messages:
    904
    Likes Received:
    91
    Location:
    Malaysia
    Why do you want you cat to sleep at night? My cats do not sleep at night. They sleep during the day. Night time is hunting time. So they have to be awake at night.
     
    Victor Leigh, Aug 1, 2012
    #2
  3. BeautifulAngel

    BeautifulAngel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2012
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    2
    Because I find the kitten really disruptive if we let her stay up during the night and if we close our bedroom door she will sit at the door and meow until we let her in. I need to get a good night sleep because I need to work almost everyday and it can get tiring if I don't get enough rest.


    Thanks
     
    BeautifulAngel, Aug 3, 2012
    #3
  4. BeautifulAngel

    Victor Leigh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2011
    Messages:
    904
    Likes Received:
    91
    Location:
    Malaysia
    I see. In that case, would your kitten be happy to sleep in a basket on its own near your bed? Put some of your old clothes in the basket. It might help your kitten to feel more comfortable.
     
    Victor Leigh, Aug 4, 2012
    #4
  5. BeautifulAngel

    steph84 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    645
    Likes Received:
    63
    I would wrap my fickle kitty in my flannel sweater and rock him to sleep like a little baby. Any time he would get restless I would do this and it would work.
     
    steph84, Aug 6, 2012
    #5
  6. BeautifulAngel

    Victor Leigh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2011
    Messages:
    904
    Likes Received:
    91
    Location:
    Malaysia
    You really do that? I hope it doesn't become a habit. Human babies who are rocked to sleep usually cannot sleep unless they are rocked. Hope the same thing doesn't apply to your kitty.
     
    Victor Leigh, Aug 6, 2012
    #6
  7. BeautifulAngel

    BeautifulAngel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2012
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    2
    Here is an updated on my kitten:

    My kitten is now sleeping the nights happily and doesn't usually wake up unless either my boyfriend and I get up.

    The trick I use is to not let her sleep too much during the day (unless she gets medication from the vet and it makes her tired) and about an hour or so before my boyfriend and I go to bed we play with her to make her exhausted and want to sleep at night.

    Thanks for all the tips and help, I really appreciate them all!
     
    BeautifulAngel, Aug 9, 2012
    #7
  8. BeautifulAngel

    Jessi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    1,077
    Likes Received:
    119
    Glad you got her on a decent schedule then! It's pretty normal for them to wake up on and off throughout the day and night, but I can see how it'd be disruptive if you're trying to sleep. An alternative might've been to keep her in a different room at night so she wouldn't come and meow at your door.
     
    Jessi, Aug 10, 2012
    #8
  9. BeautifulAngel

    Beth23 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    CT
    Cats are nocturnal. This is when they are most active especially when young. You can try to make them sleep at night but it will be hard because it go's against their nature and instincts. I agree with Jesse, keep your kitten in another room thats safe for her to play in. I think 6 AM is pretty good. My cat wakes me at 3 AM like clock work every morning.
     
    Beth23, Aug 11, 2012
    #9
  10. BeautifulAngel

    nikki Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    2
    Try leaving the light on in the room it is in. That should mess up the nocturnal thing and hopefully it will behave and not try to hunt all night. There really isnt much you can do though.
     
    nikki, Aug 14, 2012
    #10
  11. BeautifulAngel

    footballtim Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    4
    I think a lot has to do with how much you interact with your cat. It seems to me that the more you personally interact with your cat, the more they are in tune with you and know when it is bed time. I know cats are nocturnal, so I know that this does not always help. Also, some breeds of cats are more able to be in tune with their owners than other breeds. You should try to wear your cat down during the day as much as possible if you have not tried that already.
     
    footballtim, Aug 28, 2012
    #11
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.