Cats are independent creatures, but they do seem to have a knack for waking their human companions. After all, cats tend to be “night owls” and can get lonely when they’re all alone in the house while everyone else sleeps. But it’s never fun to wake up to a meowing cat or one that is jumping on your bed or pawing at your body.
Maybe you want to figure out how to stop your cat from waking you up at night, or you might be focused on determining how to stop your cat from waking you up in the morning. Either way, here are a few things that you can do.
The 6 Tips to Keep Your Cat From Waking You Up
1. Commit to a Play Session Right Before Bed
A great way to reduce the chance that your kitty will wake you up while you are sleeping is to play a game with them right before you hit the sack. You could throw a ball around for them to chase or pull out a feather toy and get them to jump up for it. The idea is that the more energy they expend, the more laid back they will be while you sleep. With any luck, they’ll sleep the entire time that you sleep for.
2. Make Sure Toys Are Accessible in a Separate Room
It’s a good idea to put a few toys out each night so your cat has something to do and will be less likely to get bored while you sleep. Make sure the toys are located outside of your room, so they don’t wake you up when they get played with. You will also want to make sure the toys you provide are quiet – avoid bells, rattles, and other noise-makers. Consider keeping a basket of toys so you can alternate the ones that you leave out for your cat each night. This will help ensure that they always have something new and different to do.
3. Visit Your Veterinarian
If your cat is suddenly waking you up at night, either in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, a vet visit is necessary to rule out medical conditions. Problems with the litter box (e.g. constipation or uncomfortable urination), generalized painful areas, ravenous appetite, and feline cognitive dysfunction (dementia) could all result in your cat waking you up at odd times to express their discomfort or to seek your attention for relief. You don’t want to ignore potential medical causes!
4. Offer a Snack Before the End of the Night
If you go to bed hours after your cat eats dinner, providing them with a snack before bedtime could help keep them from waking you up in the middle of the night or too early in the morning. A tablespoon of tuna, a small piece of ham, or a bit of shredded chicken all make good snacks that will help keep your feline family member’s belly satisfied until it’s breakfast time. You can also consider using an automatic feeder to provide your cat with a hands-free midnight snack.
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5. Put a Pair of Earplugs In
If you have ruled out any potential medical causes and tried the other tips on this list, you may need to simply put in a pair of earplugs right before you go to bed at night. The earplugs might take some getting used to, but they should stop you from having to listen to your cat’s meows and the sounds of them knocking things over. Choose a pair of earplugs that conform to the ear for the best results and comfort.
6. Keep Your Door Closed Throughout the Night
If all else fails and you cannot get comfortable with wearing earplugs while you sleep, you may have to leave your cat in the living room and close your bedroom door so they cannot get inside and bother you. Before you do this, make sure your vet has cleared your cat of any potential medical issues. You could always start the night with the door open in case your cat wants to be near you without disturbing you. However, the second that they wake you up, you can remove them from the space and close the door. They will forgive you in the morning, especially if you leave them with toys to play with.
Final Thoughts
Cats can be noisy and bothersome at night. Fortunately, a few things can be done to reduce the chance that they’ll wake you up until you’re ready to wake up on your own. If your cat is consistently waking you up at night, they may simply need more play sessions, midnight snacks, or accessible toys. If the behavior continues even with plenty of enrichment, make sure you speak to your veterinarian to clear any potential medical causes. And if you’ve tried all of these tips, you may need to invest in comfortable earplugs or close your bedroom door. We hope these tips help you get better sleep while taking excellent care of your feline friend.
Featured Image Credit: Stock-Asso, Shutterstock
