It is common to hear of the case of ” my cat does not sleep at night ” and that this is an inconvenience for the family and all the neighbors.
My cat doesn’t sleep at night and I can’t sleep anymore
The characteristic of cats is that they move around the house, that they surprise us with their runs from one side to another, or that their jumps are even funny and this is normal, it is part of their genetics, even hunting at night, is.
The uncomfortable thing is that this practice is somewhat annoying at bedtime because while your cat wants to actively watch your house at night and breaks the silence with a meow or a few scratches on the door, you are about to lose the calm for not being able to reconcile the precious night sleep.
But it’s up to you to help your cat overcome its built-in urges and adjust to your sleeping patterns.
“One of the most important things every pet and pet parent needs is an education,” said Russell Hartstein, certified cat behavior consultant and founder/CEO of Fun Paw Care, Los Angeles.
“All of these behaviors ( excessive scratching, running, meowing ) are manifestations that basic needs are not being met to some degree.”
1. Basic aspects to take into account the most important: attention
Covering the basics for your cat starts with providing healthy food, plenty of clean water, and a clean litter box in a secure location.
Cats also have a basic need for social interaction and depend on us to fulfill this need. If a cat is left alone all day and is ignored when his parents return home, he may meow, scratch, jump, defecate outside the litter box, and:
Acting out at night as a way to get the care you need.
“Cats have a great need to exert energy”
said healthy pet trainer Jodi Ziskin, Santa Rosa, California.
“When they are not provided with the proper stimulation, such as interactive playtime , vertical structures to climb and jump on, and places to stretch and scratch, they can become anxious, reactive, and even aggressive toward their people or other pets in the home. »
More attention can often solve behavioral problems, such as spending time brushing, cuddling, and playing with your cat. The problem is that many pet owners simply don’t have the time and energy to care for their beloved cats.
“Everyone’s life is so busy that we can’t afford to spend much time with our cats”
said Sabrina Castro, DVM, of Vetted Pet Care in Los Angeles, CA.
“The real key is to provide a lot of care when we go back home.”
It can also be helpful to turn the television on to a low volume to visually stimulate your cat when you’re away, Castro said.
Scheduling a late-night feeding time can also be an opportunity to curb your cat’s nocturnal hunting behavior.
2. Anxiety and illness affect your cat’s behavior
If your cat has suddenly started strange behaviors during the night, the first step is to analyze the cat’s life to see if any new stressors could explain the behavior change.
” Excessive meowing in the middle of the night may be a sign of feline cognitive dysfunction in older and geriatric cats “
Ziskin said.
“It can also be a sign that a cat is in pain .”
Physical illness can also be a manifestation of psychological distress and chronic anxiety.
“Prolonged anxiety can trigger physical ailments, including infectious and chronic diseases, so a visit to the vet is recommended”
Ziskin said.
3. Stress in cats
Small changes in the home can affect your pet, a new member of the family, a move, changes in their usual places of play cause stress to the cat.
Even a change in the scent of a favorite human can stimulate or irritate a cat’s nose and cause a behavior change, Hartstein explained.
“Cats are extremely sensitive to noise and smell, so there are a lot of factors you need to consider.”
Once the potential stressor is discovered and addressed, the cat may stop its late-night gigs.
4. Is punishing your cat a good idea?
Cats do not associate their inappropriate behavior and their negative reactions. However, they will associate the behavior with getting your attention. Reprimanding your cat when she scratches your rug, meows excessively, or otherwise keeps you awake can encourage her to continue the behavior because you’re giving her the attention she’s looking for.
how to correct it
“Ideally, ignore them”
Castro said.
“And whatever you do, don’t respond with food.”
If you do, she says, the cat will think that every time it acts like it did the last time it responded with food, you’re going to feed it.
5. Effective training
Cats, and especially kittens, are receptive to clickers and other types of training. But training is not a universal remedy for misbehavior.
To get to the root of your cat’s behavior, a pet behavior specialist or cat-savvy veterinarian can help determine the reasons why your cat is behaving strangely and if training is a viable response.
“Cats are individuals. Sometimes the cause is obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. If you think your cat is doing something that isn’t normal behavior [and you can’t solve the problem], that’s a good indication that you should seek professional help.”
