Cat keeping me awake?

Question

I have an adorable 2 yr old male large brown & black striped tabby that I love an adore deeply. My problem is that every night around 4 or 5 in the morning he comes upt on my pillow and plunks himself on my face & kisses or licks whatever ,non stop until I have to push him off the bed . This lasts for about 5 minutes then he is back at it . Why does he do this ? And how can I stop it so I can sleep ? I will not close my bedroom door at night , so forget it . Help Sleepless!

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 you up at this particular time of morning. 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 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 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?!

Answer 2

You may have to start putting him in a carrier at night, make sure he goes to the restroom before bed - cats can hold it for up to 12 hours. If you get a larger dog sized carrier he'll also have room to move around in. You could also try putting bubble wrap on the door where he scratched. They don't like it. This method is used to keep them from jumping on counters. We used to keep our first kitten [now we have two] locked out of the bedroom for the same reason, and she'd come crying at the door every morning at 6am. But it wasn't an hour long thing. She'd stop after awhile and leave.

Answer 3

My cat will decide sometime around 3 or 4 in the morning to bat at the blinds in my bedroom, the cord for my radio, jump up on my dresser and scatter things all over or go tearing through my apartment like a heard of elephants. I sleep with a spray bottle next to my bed. That's only a temporary solution as well...not sure what else to do myself!

Answer 4

You need a good nights sleep. Why don't you keep the cat in a room where you can close the door behind him. For example we keep our cat in the kitchen at night which leads into the utility room where his food, litter tray etc is. No problems

Answer 5

I used to have a female that did the same thing so I would put her under my arm and hold her so should couldn't reach me an dgo to sleep. She would eigther cuddle up or just leave. I also know that certain face creams made her want to lick my face, perhaps there is one that will repel?

Our current cat Chases his tail. Which would be fine if I did not sleep directly below the spot where he does it and we did not have hard wood. It is just something I have gotten used to. It really is hilarious to see. Lol good luck!

Answer 6

He grows tired of cleaning his rear-end, and so tries to make you happy -- by cleaning your face. That's the natural thing about being a cat, in a pack and adhering to YOU (the one that feeds him). Cats don't hold down jobs, and can see in the dark.. so, 4am or 5am to him doesn't hold much weight. You won't shut him out, so you're only hope is to throw him offa you & yell about it, 2-3 days in a row until he gets the hint (which he will).

Answer 7

I had that trouble with my kitties a few times. They got the message after I ignored them and hid under the covers a few times.

Sometimes in the early mornings they get too rambunctious. Then I WILL close them out of the room. They behave themselves when I let them back in, after I'm awake.

Answer 8

Well our cat does this to and me and my husband have to sleep in seperate rooms but our cat will jump up on my husband`s bed and lick my husband`s face until he gets up to feed him and this cat of our`s does this every night. he does this sometimes about 3 or 4 in the morning. whenever he feels like getting my husband up. my husband spoiled this cat silly.

Answer 9

Make sure he has food and water and turn the T.V. on low and it will keep him occupied . Hopefully that will help and leave toys around and treats for him to find .

Answer 10

I have the same problem with my cat. Hope you get some good answers so I'll know what to do too.