Mary Allen
It’s three o’clock in the morning, you were just sound asleep and there it is again: the cat’s paw on your face. There can be several reasons why your cat doesn’t get any rest at night and instead disturbs your sleep. Here you can find out what these are and what you can do about them.
Cats typically sleep 14 to 15 hours a day. But unfortunately in the opposite rhythm to ours. Because the four-legged friends are nocturnal. Cats usually sleep when their owners are at work, sitting motionless in front of the television, or when nothing else exciting is going on in the household.
Accordingly, cats do not snooze at night. But that’s not all: They are often restless and even make themselves known by meowing and yowling. The reason: the animals want attention, food, or just a cuddle. Scratching at the door or attacking with a paw in the face are the most popular ploys of the nocturnal disturbers.
Ask Yourself Why Your Cat Won’t Sleep at Night
But no need to worry. With a few tips and tricks, you can do something about your velvet paw being disturbed. However, in order to be successful with your cat training, you should first consider what could be behind the nocturnal wake-up attacks. Possible reasons are, for example, the following:
Cats are Bored at Night
When no one else is around, many cats take long naps during the day. Accordingly, your four-legged friend is awake at night – and tends to disturb your sleep. It may help if you offer a second cat home so that your velvet paw has a playmate to romp around with during the day.
Disturbing Because of Hunger
Another reason for the nocturnal disturbance is hunger. Eight hours without food is a long time for cats because in nature they are used to eating many small portions throughout the day.
It can also be a habit: if you always feed your cat right after getting up, she might assume that she always gets food as soon as you wake up. So it makes sense for her to wake you up when she wants food.
In this case, it can help if you hide some treats around the house or have your intelligence toy with treats ready. So your kitty is busy on the one hand and on the other hand, she can satisfy her hunger a little.
Cat Disturbs at Night: Need to Cuddle Can Be the Cause
Cats are particularly cuddly in winter because they are looking for warmth and security in cold temperatures. So if your cat disturbs you while you sleep, it could also be because she wants to cuddle with you or warm up under the covers.
Attention – Immediately!
Some cats like to have an audience. That’s why fur noses often disturb not only at night but also at work or while eating. What attention consists of is secondary. The main thing is that you take note of your house tiger – even if you scold him. In this case, only consistent ignoring will help, and then one day your cat will lose interest in the nocturnal disturbance.
Outdoor Cats Prefer to Sleep Inside
If your cat is an outdoor cat, you should still bring it into the house at night if possible. In this way, you avoid your furry friend changing your mind in the middle of the night – and you have to let the kitty into the warm room exactly when you actually want to sleep. With a timely “return campaign” you prevent nocturnal cat complaints in front of the bedroom window from the outset.
It’s even better if you always bring your cat into the house at around the same time. In this way, the fur nose gets used to a regular day and night rhythm. Alternatively, a cat flap may be an option. This allows your pet to get in alone without disturbing your sleep.
Health Reasons If the Cat Disturbs at Night
If your cat is new to disturbing your sleep, the kitty may be ill. You should see a vet, especially if you have an older cat.
Your pet may be suffering from osteoarthritis and pain. But an overactive thyroid gland or high blood pressure can also mean that cats do not get any rest at night. An anxiety disorder is also possible. If it’s quiet and dark in the house, your fur nose will be afraid and will call for you.
Cat Training: Do not Reward Bad Behavior
If nothing helps and your darling is restless at night and plays the alarm clock, then the magic word is: ignore. Every reaction – even if it is “just” a scolding or the banishment of the cat from the bedroom – is a reward for the bored animal.
If the nocturnal disturbance does not stop, do not let the cat into the bedroom at night and use earplugs so that you are not woken up by meowing or scratching at the door. However, also note that sudden changes in behavior can be alarm signals. If your darling has slept through the night for years and is suddenly restless at night, you should consult a vet as a precaution.