Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/30/2008

Question
I have a 12 month old Bengal cat we have had her since she was 4 months old, she has a serious heart condition requires several heart drugs twice a day, her condition is now very stable and she is very fit and active. We love her very much and have probably spoilt her especially because she has been sick. The problem we have is that come 5-6am every morning she wants to wake us up running round the bedroom, climbing the blinds,meowing constantly or sat on my body rubbibg myself on me and purring loudly!.. Doesnt make any difference if i get up and feed her she eats then come back to annoy us!.. We have tried to keep her out of the bedroom by closing the door she can open doors!..Or she will howl loudly at the door and pulls up the carpet. We have an older cat who she plays and gets on well with. We are having a baby due next year we would like to try and stop this behaviour and try to train her out out sleeping with us, the cats have several cat beds around the house.  need helpplease

Answer
Joanne,


You need to change your routine with the cat and get her used to a new one.

Play with her before you go to bed. A pet laser light is an excellent interactive toy (you can get them at PetSmart, Petco, etc.). A good play session before bedtime will tire her out, which is essential for a good nights sleep for you both, and she is getting the attention that she is trying to get from you early in the morning.

Give the cat a can of catfood after you play with her, just before you go to bed. That way her tummy is full, she is tired, and you have more of a chance of her sleeping through the night. Leaving a bowl of dry food out at night will help too. If she gets the munchies, she won't have to try to wake you and it will tide her over until morning.

Feeding a cat first thing in the morning will only increase her desire to wake you up earlier and earlier because she will associate your waking up with the reward of being fed. To discourage this, take a shower, have your breakfast, play with her for a few minutes and THEN feed her.

Regarding her attention getting behavior:

I would put some plexiglass sheeting that goes under the door on both sides so she can't scratch the carpet, and put a slide lock on the bedroom door....then ignore her! COMPLETELY!

Ignoring her will be difficult and annoying to do, but habits are hard to break and that is what you need to do. You cannot acknowledge her actions in ANY way. She will EVENTUALLY stop when she doesn't get any reaction or attention from you. You MUST be consistant though. If you react even once to her behavior, then it won't work, and it will be worse because the cat will know if she does it long enough eventually you WILL react, so she will keep it up (she hasn't got anything else to do).

Congratulations on the baby! For future information here are some good links to articles on babies and cats that you may find helpful when the time comes:
(copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.sthuberts.org/petpouri/articles/catmeetsbaby.asp

http://westwoodanimalhospital.com/BhvArticles/Infants,%20Children,%20And%20Cats....

http://www.petplace.com/cats/helping-your-cat-and-new-baby-get-along/page1.aspx

And if you want to check out a good Bengal site for information, here is a very good link:

http://www.hdw-inc.com/frameset.htm

I hope this information has been helpful and that your "naughty" (really, she is just spoiled and loved) kitty 'changes her spots"!

Tabbi