How do I make the cat calm down?

Question

I adopted a cat a few months ago, and he's just full of personality.
But that's the problem. He's very clingy. I'll wake up at night with him rubbing his face on my nose and hands, and purring loudly. He doesn't let me sleep for more than 4 hours at a time, and lately it's been getting worse and worse. He whines and jumps on everything. What am I supposed to do about him?

I can't have dogs; I'm allergic.

He does have a friend. They just don't get along all the time.

Answer 1

Hi there...it sounds like your kitty has found a schedule of his own. There are many possibilities as to why he may be waking up at this particular time of the night For example many cats who are fed at a scheduled time will learn when to expect their meals, the family members come home and leave for day, etc. It's more of a conditioned response from a pattern which is being continually reinforced...and is why I'm making this assumption.

If you would like to change/adjust his schedule to yours consider by playing with him using more physical active activities (e.g. laser light) using interactive play toys for 10-15 minutes prior to bedtime to exhaust him so he'll sleep longer. If your cat isn't free fed (food available at all times) some people who feed their cats on schedule (once in the morning and once at night) have found that by feeding right just before bedtime also note that this has a sedating effect because their tummy's are full.

This particular method isn't known to many, as most people are not willing to consider it, however one of the things we as animal trainers/behaviourists do to break bad behaviours with animals is to ignore the undesired behaviour. What follows is called an extinction burst where the behaviour becomes progressively worst for awhile hoping for the same positive reinforcement as received in past. Eventually the animal learns this behaviour does not gain them any positive reinforcement and eventually fades away.

Here's another example of how an extinction burst works: This happens when a proven method of doing something that brings a desired response (i.e. stealing socks always elicits a chase from a human), all of a sudden stops working. The extinction burst is the part where the dog tries the proven method again and again, and hundred times stronger before they figure out that it just doesn't work anymore. Human equivalent: you're at the elevator. You pressed the button 10 seconds ago. This has always made the elevator come and pick you up. For some reason, there's no sign that the elevator's coming. You press it again. And again, and again and again, harder and harder, with more force (extinction burst!), until finally you just give up and use the stairs. If the original method doesn't work anymore, why use it?!

More on Extinction Burst: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bursts.txt

You could consider trying a holistic product called Rescue Remedy, which can help with the anxiety: http://www.bachflower.com/rescue_remedy.htm or an organic catnip which has been known to have a calming effect as well for some cats.

If your kitty has more serious behavioural problems some cats can be successfully helped who are on antidepressants, but it's usually given to cats who suffer from aggression/anxiety disorders as well as inappropriate elimination (urine spraying/peeing) disorders: http://www.newmanveterinary.com/feline.html However, you could discuss this in more detail with a feline behaviourist/veterinarian to see if they can ask more questions to determine if he would be a candidate or if there are more behavioural modification methods that would be useful.

Answer 2

Calming A Cat Down

Answer 3

A few things to try: keep your bedroom door closed during the day as it will get him use to it being shut out of the bedroom. He may paw the door at night, though, so it does not always work. Since he has not bonded with his current companion, I would suggest adding a female, opposite sex, and younger (twelve weeks or less). If he has that much affection to they tend to seek each other out and bond. The last (this will sound weird, but it often works) - when, and only when he does it in the bedroom (otherwise he will get confused) gently pin him on the bed, stare him down, growl at him, and push him off the bed/out of the bedroom. You are establishing yourself as alpha and letting him know the behavior will not be tolerated. I do have one male cat this has not worked for - eventually they tone it down, but it may take a while.

Answer 4

I had the same problem until I adopted another cat. Your cat probably wants, and needs kitty companionship. Two cats really are more fun than one. By the way, it's not easy when a person brings home a new cat, but they get used to one another fairly quickly. All the best.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I make the cat calm down?
I adopted a cat a few months ago, and he's just full of personality.
But that's the problem. He's very clingy. I'll wake up at night with him rubbing his face on my nose and hands, and purring loudly. He doesn't let me sleep for more than 4 hours at a time, and lately it's...

Answer 6

They say the best toy for a cat is a play pal. Another option is getting a can of air but do not spray directly on the cat (spray upward), this may scare him and keep him away as you sleep. I've tried this myself, but I now regret it because my cat won't come on the bed anymore.

Btw- you can get the can of air in the electronic department of most stores.

Answer 7

Soothe your cat by giving him lots of rubs. Also, you could get him some toys, or go to the pet store and buy him a video of cats playing. This usually keeps them busy, so this could calm him.

Answer 8

He may be going through a stage, He is marking you as HIS. Give him a lot of appropriate attention when you are up. He probably gets lonely during the day and figures when you are home , you are fair game. Its just his personality to want to be with you, some cats are aloof, others are love machines, you got the latter.

Answer 9

I have had so many kittens do this. This is what I have done:
1. With one of my kittens, I actually wanted him to sleep with me. So everytime he bothered me at night, I would put him where I wanted him to sleep and pet him. I had about a week's worth of interrupted sleep, but after that he got the message.
2. With another one of my kittens, he was just dense, so I had to patiently put him on the floor everytime he bothered me at night. It took awhile, but eventually he got the idea.
3. With other kittens, I have just shut them out of my bedroom. At first they would cry, but eventually they curled up on the couch or catbed and went to sleep also.

With my present kitten, he gets wound up alot in the evenings. My boys and I play with this kitten about an hour before bedtime until he has had a good workout. Then I feed him his evening meal. After he gives himself his kitty bath, he curls up and sleeps soundly through most of the night!

It is true that most kittens just need to be taught the rules of the house. Decide what your rules for your kitty are and follow through. He will calm down once he is about 6 to 8 months old.

Answer 10

lock the cat in the bathroom for about 30min.