Expert: Tina - 10/3/2006

Question
Hi there, My cat is very vocal to be honest he's driving me mad at the moment especally as I am having a lot of trouble sleeping anyway. He has food, water and usually cuddles but he bursts in through the cat flap and its meowwwwwwww, constant meowwwwwwwww. Any ideas? Thanks

Answer
Hi Ju,

Cats may be vocal for a numbr of reasons, but it sounds like your cat may be bored or lonely. Cats are nocturnal and are often active at night when we are trying to sleep, but it is possible to help them learn a new schedule. Intelligent cats are more likely to get bored and demand that you entertain them.

The best thing to do is keep to a strict schedule of activities with your cat. Feed him at the exact same time each day (right before bed especially, so he doesn't get hungry at night). If he is begging for canned food, only give him that at night before bed or cut it out altogether.

Set a play time (again before bed is recommended) and play with him using a laser pointer or feather wand or something that gets him active. Lots of cats like the game where the feather on a stick "hides" under a blanket and peeks out. Play with him at specific times of the day, even if it's only for 10 minutes at a time.

He will come to expect these activities and hopefully the schedule with activities during the day will help him learn to sleep at night.

Also, if he is allowed outdoors as it sounds from the cat flap (I do recommend against letting cats roam loose outdoors) try keeping him indoors at night. Initially this may make him louder at night, but once he adjusts to the active day nime scehdule including being allowed outside, he will use the night time to sleep. He may also be encountering other cats outdoors which may make him vocal.

You may also want to consider getting him a companion cat, someone to play with and hang out with while you are asleep. if you try this, be sure to talk to your local shelter or rescue group and find a cat or kitten who gets along well with other cats, and to introduce them properly (gradually) to eachother.

Good luck!