I have just got a lovely 2yr old cat from the RSPCA and he wont settle at night.?

Question

He isnt shut out and can roam as he pleases. He has food, water, toys and my bed 2 sleep on if he wish's but he still meows. He also attacks my feet under the duvet which would be reallt sweet if it wasnt 1am, 4am and 6am.....im knackard. Any advise??? shut him out and ignore him or ?????

Answer 1

I've had exactly the same problem with my rescue cat, who I've had for about 2 months. He's 3 years old and seems to be going through a second kittenhood - sadly in the middle of the night!!

Here are the things I have found that help:

1) Someone reccommended I play with him before I go to bed and THIS REALLY WORKS! I tire him out with a laser pen or a toy on a string for about an hour in the evening, trying to get him to run around as much as possible. By the time it's time for bed, he's usually pretty tired and sleeps through the night.

2) Whatever you do, when he makes a noise and attacks your feet, just IGNORE him. If you react in any way, even to shout at him or shut him out, he's getting the attention he's been wanting from the beginning. It means a couple of nights of no sleep until he gets the message, but he will eventually.

3) Shut him out of your bedroom. There are plenty of places he can go to amuse himself, and he needs to learn to do this. When I did this, I found he miaowed outside my bedroom door, so, using some advice I found on a website, I plugged my hoover in next to my bed, put it outside the bedroom door and shut the door. When he miaowed outside the door, I flicked the plug switch for the hoover to come on for about 5 seconds. This soon scared him away.

All these things really helped. The last 3 weeks I've had no trouble and have even been letting him back in at night. He now sleeps between me and my boyf more or less all night and his sister sleeps on my pillow like a little furry hat!

I just wish he didn't dig like he was trying to get to Australia every time he uses the litter tray - that's the only thing that wakes us up now! Guess I'll have to move the litter tray further down the corridor.

Anyway, good luck. Persevere, and you will be successful. I can't emphasise enough how much the play helps. When I don't get time to play with him, he's much more disruptive.

Answer 2

Awwwww he sounds like a proper little cutie! I got my cat from a shelter when he was 2 years old and he was exactly the same, he would almost howl at night and jump around my head and sniff my ears. He just wants your attention, remember when cats are in shelters they usually have other cats with them, this is his first taste of being alone at night and he is probably just lonely. My cat is 5 now and he still jumps around my head every now and then, but he settled in after about 3 weeks and got into a routine. Cats are creatures of habit, so once he learns his new routine he will be fine. make sure he has things to do in the day, if you are not around leave toys hanging about and the curtains open so he can look out of the window, then he will be sleepy at night time and go to sleep when you do. I wouldn't advise letting him out all night, I think cats should be safe indoors at night, my cat goes out in the morning when i am getting ready for work and then at around 6pm until about 10pm, then he goes to bed for the night, I'm sure your's will be the same once he has got used to his new life!

have fun with him!

Answer 3

Cats are VERY intricate beings. There is really nothing you can do to "make him" settle in. He will indeed do it in his own time. Try not to overwhelm him by changing things too quickly. He needs to know that what he has is staying and he doesn't need to be fearful that it will be taken away. That means his bed, toys, food, water, litter box, and most of all YOU!

If he has his own bed, then make sure that it's far away from his litter box and that it's in a quiet area that is away from main thresholds, doors and high traffic areas. If he gets stressed, it's key that he has his own place to go that is out of sight and away from other forms of contact.

Just continue to show him positive attention and continue to play with him to his little heart's desire.

He'll come around, but there's no promise as to how long it will take since you got him from the shelter and there's no telling how much abuse he endured before being rescued. Patience, patience and more patience is all he needs. Well, that and lots of love of course.

Bless you for rescuing an animal, kudos to you for sure!

Good luck!

Answer 4

How long have you had him? It can take aaaaaages for cats to settle into a new routine. It may be months until he starts to feel completely comfortable. Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Try (and I know it's really difficult to!) to ignore him as much as you possible can in the hours you're sleeping. Try waking him up intermittently during the day for a hug or a play.

As for the foot thing? My 10 year old cats *still* do that. It's an evil game they play. I've adapted to sleeping with my feet tucked right up cos it's the only way to fool them lol

Answer 5

Your new cat has to get used to the new home. When he cries at night is to wake you up, because he feels suddenly alone in an unknown place. Don't shut him out, he needs your affection, not your indifference.

When he cries pick him up and give him affection. Before going to bed make him play a lot, so that he tires out. Then pick him up and take him with you on the bed, play some more and wait for him to fall asleep with you.

Use a soothing voice so that he will calm down. Plug in some Feliway diffuser to soothe him.

This tiring behaviour will last for a few weeks only, please be patient and give the little fella a chance to adapt.

Answer 6

First things first, well done for adopting an older cat, I wish there was more people like you that do that and not go for kittens all the time.

He will settle eventually, but at night until he knows his surroundings, shut him in a room where he as access to food, water, litter tray and his bed. He will soon realise that night means sleep and calm down.

Have fun with him, cats are great.

Answer 7

My cat does that as well but don't forget at present he needs loads of love and security. Be patient, he will settle in the end. When you take an animal from a rescue you do not know what sort of life he has led, but on the whole they are not in a shelter for no reason.

Answer 8

You have to give him a chance to settle in, he should calm down. But you dont know what sort of life he had before you rescued him either. Be patient and things will improve, maybe be a bit more affectionate as well.

Wish more people like you would adopt a cat from the RSPCA, they all need good homes. x

Answer 9

I sympathise! My mum cat is very attentive and can yell big-time for attention during the night. She's a lot quieter if I can keep her active, or at least not asleep, during the day! My Boy cat is getting spring fever too - he's becoming a lot more active very early in the morning now it's getting lighter earlier.

Good luck with your Boy.

Answer 10

Hehe, my cat does that too. But he has learned to follow my schedule, now. Keep him active during the day, don't let him sleep much and especially in the evening. Play with him a lot in the evening, feed him well just before you go to bed, and eventually I think he will adjust to your programme. cats are generally nocturnal animals, but they will not be if they are exhausted and fed by the time their mummy goes to bed. also get him used to sleeping with you, near your legs, so that he gets used to going to bed when you do.