Expert: Becky - 5/26/2004

Question
Hi Becky,

I am having a problem with my cat (Mushu) and I am just about at my wits end on how to solve it. Both my husband and I work and we usually don't get home until 6:30pm. We usually let Mushu out at that time for a few hours. However, on the weekends we usually let him out right away in the morning. He has taken to crying at 5:30 in the morning and he doesn't stop until someone gets up around 7:30, needless to say I am feeling pretty sleep deprived right now. If we close the door to the bedroom, he sits outside the door and cries until someone opens it and then moves back to the back door and continues to meow, the long and short of it is that he wants to be let out. My husband and I don't want to let him out first thing in the morning as we then can't get him back in before we have to leave for work.

We have debated putting in a cat door, but we have about 4 other cats in the neighbourhood and the city we live in has a strong cat policy, so we don't want him wandering while we are at work.

I am strongly considering setting up a room in the basement with his litter box, bed, toys and some food and putting him in there at night when we go to bed and then letting him out in the morning, but I don't know if this is the best solution.

Any ideas you have would help.

Heidi

Answer
Hello Heidi,

Sounds like Mushu wants it HIS way NOW !  LOL.  My manx does something similar... she will paw at my face until I get up. It drives me crazy, but I must admit she has kept me from oversleeping a few times!  If I could only teach her that I sleep late on weekends!  lol
Anyway, back to your problem.  Your solution may be the best thing.  Mushu is obviously not going to let up until you give in. (smart cat actually!).  The thing is, depending on where your basement is located,  he will probably stand at the door scratching and crying to be let out of there!  That won't solve your problem either.  
Why don't you try letting him out in the morning when he first begins to cry (some would call this "giving in"...lol), and then, make feeding time right before you go to work.  Maybe when he sees in order to eat, he has to come in, it might just work.   Try it a few days, and if he won't come back or you're afraid to leave him out all day, then try the baement approach.   I feel for you .  Cats are quite insistant and do not give up easily!
Good Luck and God bless,
Becky