Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/disruptive behavior at night

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/16/2009


Question
My male cat meows loudly and scratches the front door to be let out at about 2am every morning.

He is in and out all day long through the cat door but at night we need to keep he and his sister in.

The cats have plenty of toys and a litter box so I know that he is only meowing because he wants to go out.  

How can I correct this behavior?  

Answer
Angela,

Is he neutered? If not, get him done as soon as possible. That could be most of his behavior problem.

Play with him right 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 him out, which is essential for a good nights sleep for you both!  

Then give him a can of catfood (or his big meal) after you play with him, just before you go to bed. That way he will have a full tummy, be tired from playing, and will sleep longer (hopefully!).

The way to stop him waking you up is to ignore him. COMPLETELY! It is very difficult to do and annoying, but you can NOT acknowledge his actions in ANY way. He will EVENTUALLY stop when he doesn't get any reaction or attention from you. You have to be consistent though. If you even react once to him, then it won't work and it will be worse because the cat will know if he does it long enough eventually you WILL react, so he will keep it up longer.

DO NOT punish the cat.  He is only trying to get your attention and tell you his wants the only way he knows how. If some behavior got your attention before, then that is how he will do it again...and again.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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).

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