How do I keep my cat from whaling during the night?

Question

My cat sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night and whales or cries so loud it wakes me and my husband out of a sound sleep. She has food & water, sometimes I will open the front door to let her out and she doesn't go. Does she just want attention, is she insane? What can I do about this?

Answer 1

Hi there...I'm partially reiterating some of the other suggestions here, but elaborating on them. It sounds like your kitty has found a schedule of her own. There are many possibilities as to why she may be waking you up at 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 her schedule to yours consider by playing with her using more physical active activities (e.g. laser light) using interactive play for 10-15 minutes prior to bedtime to exhaust her so she'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 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 gains 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

Answer 2

try playing with her before bed time to release some energy, she more than likely sleeps during the day and need some attention at night. But some time they just whale for the heck of it grrrr

Here were I live cats are licenced and only can be outside on a leash same as dogs. So for me putting them outside is a no no, also indoor cats live longer than ones that are allowed outside.

Answer 3

Cats are nocturnal. Put her in a room where you can't hear her at night. There isn't really anything that you can do. It's a lot hard to influence the behavior of a cat than a dog.

Answer 4

I have a couple of cats.That is normal .Perhaps the cat is in heat.If is that ( chances are) you must take it to the vet.Or open the door and let it go a couple of hours.As soon as the steam is gone and everything is cool enough,will be no whaling.

Answer 5

I habe areally old cat and he is always yapping all night and i can't get any sleep. Well it might just be that he/she is really old. Also try keeping a fresh bowl of water and food out for him everynight. Try keeping somwhere light or even try putting on a night light next to it. If you do leave food out make sure your cat can see it. Make sure the water is fresh and not ful of food crumbs and food remains

Good luck and get some sleep!!!!

Answer 6

First she needs to stop hanging out with Captain Ahab and Herman Melville. "She be lookin' fer the White Whale?"
If she has not been spayed she is most likely going through her heat cycle and needs to be kept indoors to start with.
Here's a trick that should help. Set your vacuum near where she starts her wailing (in the "on" position, but unplugged). The second she begins to start raising a row, plug the vacuum in (thus turning it on). This usually only needs to be done two-or-three times to stop her.
Best of luck. --Andy

Answer 7

Try getting a puppy crate for her and put her in it at night. Make sure its big enough so that she can walk around and isn't just stuck in a tiny ball. She probably just wants attention so leave lots of toys with her.

Answer 8

Maybe she is in heat?

We let our kitten sleep with us. It is soo cute how she loves to cuddle with us. At first she just played and we had very little sleep for a week or so, now she leaves us alone when we are asleep and just curls up next to us.

Answer 9

spray her...

if she is already sprayed try bringing her into your room (if you dont mind a cat on your bed) maybe she is lonely and just wants to know people are near....

if that doesnt work find a room or a dog crate somewhere where you can her because cats are nocturnal and maybe she just is "hunting"

Answer 10

I stopped my cat from whaling by taking away her harpoon gun.