My cat terrorizes me in the middle of the night--pouncing on my bed, scratching, etc. What can I do?

Question

I'm a very light sleeper and therefore probably not the best candidate for a cat owner, but nonetheless...

I simply cannot continue to lose entire nights of sleep because my 1 1/2 year-old male cat won't leave me alone.

Help!

I can't put him out at night, as I live in Michigan (too cold) and in a traffic-y apartment complex. If I shut the bedroom door, he simply scratches at the carpet all night. I cannot put him in a crate, because he claws at the door until his paws are bloody.

If I spray him with something, won't he come to be mean towards me?

Answer 1

Hi there...many cats sleep all day when we are away at work so it is helpful just before bedtime to play 10-15 minutes a game of chase with either a laser light or feather toy to wear them down. Some cats also benefit from eating a light meal before bedtime which fills their tummy and makes them feel sleepy. The latter only works if kitty isn't free fed.

Answer 2

Is he neutered? If not, he could be trying to establish his "territory", as most unneutered male cats start to do at around age 1. If he is not, get him done a.s.a.p. I live in Michigan too, and putting him outside suddenly if he has always been an indoor cat is not too nice to do to him. Try to play with him an hour or so before you go to bed, to get him a little tired out and then try to settle him before you go to bed by just petting him. Also, giving him a number of toys and a cat scratching post or corrugated cardboard scratcher that will keep him occupied might help. My kitten is currently pouncing after my feet under the covers, so I give him a little squirt of water to discourage him using the bed as a "play area". This seems to be working, because all I have to do now is just shake the water bottle when he starts to do something innappropriate.

Cats are nocturnal by nature and can sleep up to 13 hours a day, so maybe you can figure out how to adjust his sleep schedule. I would bet that he sleeps when you are at work, and is just happy to have a "buddy" to play with who pays attention to him. Maybe he needs a companion cat. Some cats are like that. My oldest cat was like that, and I got another kitten, and right away, he was happier and playing with her and not my feet! Just a suggestion. But be sure to neuter if you haven't done so already...that is a BIG thing that must be done. Nowadays, vets can perform the surgery with very little pain or problem.

Goodluck!

Answer 3

I have had cats for as long as I can remember and every now and then you get one like your little guy. He loves you and wants your attention ALL the time! The best thing I can suggest (that works for us) is training him to stay at the end of the bed. If he comes up to your face and hands wanting love at night very calmly and gently move him to the end of the bed and tell him "lay down". This will take many nights of repeated training, but it will pay off for you if you are patient. You could also put a favorite blanket he likes or something at the end of the bed and that can be "his spot", place him in the same spot each time. Do not lavish attention on him at this time or he will continue to come back for more, that is what he is there for to begin with. Eventually he will get the hint and understand that the bed is for sleeping, cats are pretty smart.

Answer 4

Spraying won't make them "dislike" you. They will associate it more with what they're not supposed to do. I spray one of my kittens whenever he's doing something or going somewhere he's not supposed to. He is still super affectionate towards me and will cuddle. So I don't think there is any link between liking (remember, you also feed your cat, so he will remember that) you and spraying.

Also, are you playing with him a lot during the evening when you're home or do you let him sleep while you watch tv, etc? Your cat is probably feeling very playful and just wants to play with you! Maybe you can play with him more before you go to bed and then he'll be tired out when it's time to go to bed. That's what I have to do with my 2 kittens or else they're up and running around all night keeping me awake.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Both of my 10 month old kittens sleep with me. They used to be little hell-raisers at night, but now they wait until dawn before the "campaigning" for food and a run outside start. I think it changed for a few reasons. First the trainer of exotic and domestic cats was right about little games and food before bed. That really helps. Also, I got those little flat saucer-shaped beds for them to lie on at the foot of the bed. They seem to be calmer if they know where they are going to sleep. Water and litter are available upstairs. Also, when they start to act out horribly right after I go to sleep or turn off the lights, I gently herd them out the door. They are not allowed to return for at least 45 minutes. When they come back their behavior is always better. I haven't had to kick them out at all at night for quite a while, and I use the same procedure to make sure that I am allowed to sleep undisturbed until dawn.
If your cat walks on your head, pushes your head off the pillow or sticks whiskers in your face while you are trying to sleep, it's time to consider keeping him in the kitchen at night, or some place where you can't hear him.

Answer 6

Oh you poor thing!

My guess would be that he is an indoor cat and he is bored to tears.

Male cat? Is he de-sex?
Otherwise your fun has only just began... lol

If you don't want to get up... keep a bowl of biscuits and a bowl of water next to your bed. When he wakes you up, tell him to eat his biscuits. Once he has done so, he will go to sleep.

If you lock him out of your bedroom, he is likely to miaou until you open the freaking door.

By pouncing and scratching, I think you mean kneading or whatever they call it. I just answered someone question on this subject. It's mean he likes you and want a caddle.

Bet you that if you pat him two or three times and tell him to go to sleep, he will. But he probably want to sleep on your bed next to you. They love company.

Look at it this way.
The cat is your boss.
And he thinks you are his mother.
You have to do whatever he is asking for if you want peace.
If he does not let you sleep, it is because you are ignoring him.
Why did you get a cat?

Answer 7

Put him in the laundry and shut the door. Make sure he has some water, and a litter tray. This is what I did with my cat, he was a right nuisance at night too. He whinged for the first couple of nights, but now he voluntarily goes into the laundry each night. He knows the routine now and he seems cool with it. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

Do not give it free range in the house, keep him out of the bedroom, use the spray to keep him away from your bedroom door or he will scratch all night, which is just as bad.

Answer 9

Two choices:
1. Put him out at night. It wont hurt him one bit
2. If he is an indoor cat or has been declawed then simply close your door at night so he can't get in the room. Make sure he has everything he needs food, water a litter pan and maybe you could leave the TV on. If you don't have that option you will need to crate him at night

Answer 10

You can either shut him out of your room, or play with him and tire him out before you go to bed. Another measure, and this is probably the most difficult, ignore him when he does it. Cats when they're in their "prey mode", naturally react to movement. If all else fails, you can try spraying around your doorway or bed with cat/ dog repellent found in most stores, or sprinkle around those same areas with lemon or orange peel or anything you like the smell of but he doesn't.