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Cats/Cat wake me up every morning for food

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Expert: - 4/18/2007


Question
HI Karen,
My cat is a 3 years old Angora, i used to feed him every morning (around 8;00am) & night (around 8:00pm) with mixed (dry & canned food), & i put dry food in between meal in case they get hungry, but he just won't eat it (i have another cat, she would eat dry food), & recently, he comes to my bed, meow & pat my face every morning at 5:00am to wake me up for food, i could not close the door, because he would scratch it. do you have any suggestion could stop him fm doing this? thank you!!

Answer
Hi Emma,

Try changing the dry food. Go to a high quality product like Wellness, Evo, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack. Usually cats love this stuff. Just make sure you do the changeover gradually. It should take about 2 weeks to change them over completely. He is coming up to you at 5 because he has you trained to respond to him at that time. It may take a little time but you you must not respond to him in a positive fashion at that hour. I have two cats that tried that with me. They both now wait with the rest. I'll give you another little tip for breaking him of the morning wakeup call. Blow in his face. Blow like a little sharp puff. Cats don't like this and he will back down from you. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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