You are here:

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cats have days and nights mixed up

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/31/2008


Question
i recently got 2 cats about one week ago to my surprise they were like no one ever handled them the first night the cryed for 5 hours now all they do is sleep all day up all night playing and also they will not let me hold them or even pet them ..........HELP

Answer
Elaine,

It sounds like your cats are depressed. It will take a period of adjustment for them to get used to your home and you. Take it slowly, don't force them. They will warm up to you as they adapt to everything that is new.

If you are home during the day, try to keep them up. Get them toys, use a pet laser light to play with them, put ping pong balls in the bathtub (block the drain), etc.

Also play with them about an hour before you go to bed. Then feed them a can of cat food. Between being tired from playing and a full tummy, they should sleep through the night.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.