Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 6/3/2010

Question
Hello. I need some help with my 9 week old male kitten sleeping at night. We have been letting him sleep with us. We play with him before bed to wear him down, which works at first. I gave him his own pillow that I placed at the top of the bed, between my husband and I. He also likes it there because the window at the front of the bed has blinds and he like the cord, and the window. He usually will fall asleep there, but around 4 in the morning, he wakes up and wants to lay on my head, at the top of my head, or on my pillow. I pick him up and place him back on his pillow, but he gets right back up and tries curling up to my face on my pillow. We just go back and forth. I try putting him in another comfy spot near me - a spot where I can deal with - but usually isn't not what he wants. I usually give up and let him there until I roll over or move, then I move him. 1 or 2 nights though, I got up and put him in his cage, but I feel so bad because he isn't being 'bad'. Plus he just cries all night long. I don't know why he doesn't bother my husband, just me. One night, he work me up by licking my nose! How can I get my kitten to sleep on his own pillow, in his own spot? We have a king size bed, there is plenty of room either beside us, at the foot of the bed, or at the top. I read somewhere that I should get a towel or blanket and warm it by putting it in the dryer, but i don't think that will help because he usually falls asleep on his own anyway. It's not until early morning that he wants me. What can I do?

Answer
Alicia,
As I told you in your last question, putting a kitten in a crate or cage for a while doesn't feel like he is being punished, but he will cry to be with you.

Kittens are like children, you just have to deal with this behavior until he is a bit older then they settle down more. There isn't much you can do except make him sleep in his cage and shut your bedroom door so you don't hear him cry. I just push my cats off of me and they go lie down somewhere else. It won't hurt his feelings.

My cat likes to lick me too, but I push her away and she goes and lies down elsewhere. She is 8 yrs old too!  

One thing you can do is tell him a sharp NO! when he licks you or wakes you up. Tell him that when he does the deed like waking you up and then set him down by the foot of the bed but don't pet him. Just go back to sleep. If he persists in bugging you, tell him No! again and if he won't settle down then put him in his cage and close your door.

He will eventually get the message that you don't like being woke up at 4 am. As I mentioned before- getting him a playmate helps tremendously. Cats do much better in twos, they sleep together, play with each other and keep each other occupied instead of driving you nuts. Get him another male kitten or a small female but make sure they are both neutered young!

Other than trying the above, there isn't much you can do except be persistent and loving.

It will pass!!