Cats are known as animals that have a long sleep time, and can sleep for 16 hours a day. However, cats don't sleep for 16 hours at a time. Cats do not have a sleep-wake cycle like other mammals. Sometimes cats behave nocturnal and wake up at night, at times the owner doesn't expect, and this can be very annoying. If your pet cat is interfering with your sleep, there are several ways to help your cat sleep regularly each night.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Setting a Schedule
Step 1. Establish a regular sleep schedule, and stick to it
Cats are just like children, both tend to stick to a schedule. Establishing a regular sleep schedule is the first step to managing your cat's bedtime.
- Establish a regular bedtime pattern. Cats are friendly animals and always thirst for attention and affection from their owners. If possible, get up in the morning and go to bed at night at roughly the same time as your cat's schedule. This will help your cat adjust to your schedule, and increase the chances that your cat will be able to wake up and sleep according to your schedule.
- Turn off the lights at certain times. Darkness is a sign for a cat to sleep. However, keep in mind that cats also like to hunt at night, so the dark doesn't necessarily help them to sleep.
Step 2. Create the same state every night
Cats will adhere to the existing schedule and easily understand the signs of the owner's activity. If you sleep with the lights off, turn off the lights every night. If you turn off the television at night, turn off your television every night. If you have a fan on, turn it on every night. If you listen to the radio, listen to the radio every night. Create the same state every time you sleep. Your cat will understand this state, and understand that it is time to sleep.
Step 3. Change the way you feed your cat
Feeding time will greatly affect the cat's sleep schedule. Oftentimes, if a cat can't sleep at night or in the morning, a cat is really just hungry. If you can change the way and timing of feeding, this can lead the cat to sleep peacefully at night.
- Try feeding your cat before bedtime. We usually find it easier to sleep after enjoying a delicious dinner. Some people argue that giving your cat half a cup of dry or wet food before bedtime will keep him awake until the morning on a full stomach.
- Set up an automatic feeder for breakfast. Automatic cat feeders that can dispense dry food at specific times are available at online or convenience stores, and especially at pet stores. If your cat wakes you up in the wee hours of the morning wanting to eat breakfast, this auto-feeder will help. Of course, cats are known as animals that have the power of anticipation. If it knows that breakfast will be prepared, the cat will be near the feeder in the early hours of the morning instead of whining at your door.
Method 2 of 2: Entertaining Cats
Step 1. Schedule playtime before bed
Interactive play sessions in the afternoon are a great way to tire your cat out before bedtime. Toys that mimic the movement of mice and birds are a good choice because cats usually hunt these animals in the wild. Look for toys that bounce and wiggle, such as ping pong balls, toys with strings, and toys that are furry and resemble mice. Play until your cat looks tired or no longer interested. Cats will tire quickly from playing with high-speed movements (you can think of cats as sprinters, not long-distance runners). Cats are usually tired after a maximum of 10-15 minutes of activity. However, make sure that the cat plays several times a day.
Step 2. Provide entertainment options for your cat's activities throughout the day
A pet's life revolves between times when their owners come and go. Often times, cats feel bored during the day when their owners are away. This boredom makes your cat want to fulfill its needs at night, when you are trying to rest and want to sleep. Entertain your cat while you are at work or at school, and she will usually not need any more attention when you come home at night.
- Provide toys that the cat can play with when alone. Small stuffed mice, especially those filled with catnip, are a great choice. That way, cats can have fun even without the company of their owners. Be sure to provide a variety of toys because cats, like humans, want variety and tend to get bored with the same toys after a while.
- There are DVDs that can be purchased online and at some convenience stores, designed specifically for cats. CatNip videos from manufacturer Pet-A-Vision Inc., for example, contain pictures of birds and mice, so cats will try to capture those images when you're not home. Just turn on your television and make sure that the display catches your cat's attention.
- Battery-operated toys are available at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets. These toys move on their own and can be left out for a few hours while you are working. However, make sure that you read the instructions and warnings. It is recommended that you supervise the cat when using battery-powered cat toys.
Step 3.
Install a bird feeder.
Cats love to sit by the window and enjoy the view outside and you can do something easy to make the scene interesting. Installing a bird feeder is an inexpensive way to provide a spectacle for your cat when you're not home.
- Place the bird feeder in a quiet place where it is easy for you to refill. Bird feeders should ideally be placed close to places where birds naturally take shelter, such as trees and shrubs, so that the birds feel safe to roost.
- Make sure that the bird feeder is at least one meter away from the window of the house to reduce the risk of an accident from hitting a window, which kills millions of birds every year.
Setting Sleep Location
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Set up a separate room for your cat. If possible, keep your bedroom door closed at night. The cat will find it very difficult to sleep because he rarely sleeps for a full eight hours. This can be dangerous for you as the cat may bite and scratch as a result of being surprised by your sleeping movements. Keeping the cat out of your bedroom at night is the best way, but it can also give the cat the impression that your bed is not the place to be. Keep your bedroom door closed during the day too. Cats are territorial animals. The more access to certain places, the more the cat thinks it belongs to him, so you'll have a hard time shooing him away when he wants to sleep.
Help Cats to Sleep at Bedtime Step 7 -
Create a specific resting place for your cat. If you think you have a separate place to sleep, your cat usually won't take your place. Cats take shelter in comfortable places, surrounded by their toys, food, food, and bedding. Setting up a comfortable sleeping area for your cat means making room for him at night, so the cat won't disturb your sleep.
Help Cats to Sleep at Bedtime Step 8 - A high resting area is an ideal choice, as cats are natural watchdogs and like to see wide views. Bunk beds for cats are available online or at pet stores, and can be a good choice because they are both comfortable for resting and allowing your cat to climb to high places.
- Cats need more than one place to sleep, so provide them with several options. Many pet stores sell expensive bedding, but a pillow and blanket will usually suffice. Place beds that cats like around the house, in corners that you think are good for sleeping on for your cat. This signals to the cat that these are places he can sleep.
- Cats prefer to sleep in places they feel safe because they are vulnerable at that time. Provide quiet shelter at home, especially hidden places, such as behind or under household furniture.
- As mentioned earlier, the cat feels the place belongs to him if his belongings are around. Set up a resting place close to his food, water, litter box, and toys, so the cat knows this is the place for him.
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Place a deterrent near your bedroom door. If your cat keeps trying to get into your room at night, there are ways to prevent this behavior. Arrange for some things that are uncomfortable for the cat, or something that can disturb it, so cats will usually not come near your bedroom door to cry and scratch.
Help Cats to Sleep at Bedtime Step 9 - Place an object in front of the bedroom door, such as a vinyl rug turned over so the rough, bumpy side is facing up, double-sided tape, or an aluminum sheet. These unpleasant surfaces will keep your cat from getting close and disturbing you at night.
- Set a cat trap. Hang your hairdryer on the door handle or place the vacuum cleaner at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from the bedroom door. Connect the hairdryer or vacuum cleaner to a control button, which can be purchased online or at electronics stores, and when your cat starts meowing or clawing at the door, turn the devices on. The sound of the appliance is very distracting to the cat, and usually the cat won't come back after that.
Tips
- Play is a great way to help a cat sleep, but remember that cats love a variety of toys. Different toys are an ideal way to keep your cat playing.
- Hide toys and foods that have strong odors around the house before you go to bed. Your cat likes the challenge of finding his favorite food and toys, as this approximates his behavior as a hunting animal in the wild.
- Many people choose catnip as a way to get their cat's attention before bedtime, but it's not the best option. Many cats become excited, playful, and full of energy after eating catnip, and may even become aggressive towards other animals.
- Cats like to nest in warm places, so provide your cat with plenty of soft, plush materials for a comfortable bed.
Warning
- Cats are not the same as dogs. Cats are difficult to train because they tend not to respond to training with rewards. Don't try to punish or lock the cat to force it because cats don't understand cause-and-effect relationships.
- Be sure to provide a clean toilet. Cats don't like dirty toilets, and if your cat keeps coming at you at night, it may be because she's having a hard time finding a place to go. Provide a clean toilet, at least once a day.
- Do not feed your cat with milk or cream. Many people believe that cats like dairy products, when in fact many cats have problems with their digestive systems because of the lactose content, and this disorder causes stomach pains and discomfort, and as a result it is difficult to sleep at night.
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- https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/5-tips-to-get-your-cat-to-let-you-sleep
- https://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/how-can-we-get-our-cat-to-sleep-at-night
- https://www.cathealth.com/how-and-why/how-to-train-your-cat-to-let-you-sleep
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- https://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1182
- https://www.animalplanet.com/pets/give-them-me-time/
- https://www.animalplanet.com/pets/give-them-rest/
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https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cats-and-dairy-get-the-facts
