My male cat, Salem, has been driving me nutty lately. At night time, I usually keep my bedroom door open so my cats can sleep in the bedroom if they want. My female cat, Baby, will usually sleep on my bed and she never disturbs me during the night. Salem however is another story. He's usually okay until about 3 or 4 in the morning and then the trouble begins. It's around this time that he becomes obsessed with licking me. And I mean a constant licking on my hands, arms and any other body part that is sticking out of the blankets. He also likes to headbutt me which means he wants to be pet. And finally, if that doesn't get my attention he likes to walk his fifteen pound body all over me until I give him some attention.
Most times when this starts to happen I get up and lock him out of the bedroom. I usually put Baby out too so that if she has to use the litter box she isn't stuck in my room. This is usually okay until about 5am or so and then the next problem starts. Salem then sits right outside my door and meows as loudly as he can (which is pretty loud, loud enough to wake me and probably my neighbors too). If then doesn't get me up he then pushes his body against the door which makes a loud banging/knocking sound.
I have to get up pretty early for work so losing these 2 or 3 hours is really starting to get to me. I wake up in a bad mood and mad at Salem. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to stop all this from happening? My cats get plenty of attention during the day so there is no reason they should be craving it so much at night. And only Salem is having a problem. Baby is fine so I'm not sure why he is being so needy lately. Thanks for any help!
Cat is a big pain in the butt
Re: Cat is a big pain in the butt
First the vet check-up: how old is the cat and how long has it been since he had a comprehensive exam? Developing health problems or internal parasites can change appetites. Assuming the cat is adult - 1 year or more and that he has been in your household for some time - has he ever behaved this way before? If so, what were the circumstances then?
If his health checks out okay, how about yours? Any sinus or bronchial problems developing recently? Any episodes of bad dreams (aside from those caused by the cat
) My 12 year old senior cat will jostle me awake with his paw when I am restless or uncomfortable.
But if none of this applies, what has helped for me in dealing with such behavior as Salem is showing is to cater to it in a "round-about" way: At bedtime, in the kitchen or living area, pet the cat, play with him and then feed a small amount of a favorite food. Try to do this at about the same time every night: establish a routine. Provide him with his own cat bed, placed either on your bed or on a nearby chair or dresser... It may be that the other cat will take this over (as happens with my two sometimes
) but it serves the same purpose by leaving the space next to you available to the restless cat....
If his health checks out okay, how about yours? Any sinus or bronchial problems developing recently? Any episodes of bad dreams (aside from those caused by the cat
) My 12 year old senior cat will jostle me awake with his paw when I am restless or uncomfortable.But if none of this applies, what has helped for me in dealing with such behavior as Salem is showing is to cater to it in a "round-about" way: At bedtime, in the kitchen or living area, pet the cat, play with him and then feed a small amount of a favorite food. Try to do this at about the same time every night: establish a routine. Provide him with his own cat bed, placed either on your bed or on a nearby chair or dresser... It may be that the other cat will take this over (as happens with my two sometimes
) but it serves the same purpose by leaving the space next to you available to the restless cat....-
Jilliebean0606
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:24 pm
Re: Cat is a big pain in the butt
Salem is a year and half and I got both he and Baby when they were six weeks (brother and sister from the same litter). We've been living in the same apartment for about a year.
When they were very tiny, I had similar problems with both of them. They would keep me up all night with the licking and craving of attention. But they also liked to cause a lot of trouble at night, knocking things over, making messes, etc. Eventually, I started caging them at night. They each had their own cage with a soft blanket and they actually got very used to their new beds and after the first week or so, would go in with no problems. When I moved last October though, I decided to try letting them sleep outside of the cages again. My new apartment has a door on the bedroom (my old one was more of a studio and did not have a bedroom door) so I figured if worse came to worse, I could just shut the door and let them sleep in the living room. At first I had to do that a lot, but over the past few months, things have been fine at night time. Like I said, they would usually just sleep quietly on my bed.
Salem last went to the vet when he was probably about 8 months. But as far as I know, they have no current health problems. They are indoor cats and their appetites have always been fine.
The only thing I can think of is that I have a boyfriend who lives about an hour away. I usually stay at his house one or two nights a week and he usually stays at mine a few nights as well. He grew up with cats and he loves mine. The cats love him as well and they love to be pet by him and play with him when he's here. I thought maybe they were craving more attention because there are some nights when I'm not here. And maybe when he is at my house, Salem gets jealous that he has to share me? Thats the only thing I can think of right now.
Thanks for your help.
When they were very tiny, I had similar problems with both of them. They would keep me up all night with the licking and craving of attention. But they also liked to cause a lot of trouble at night, knocking things over, making messes, etc. Eventually, I started caging them at night. They each had their own cage with a soft blanket and they actually got very used to their new beds and after the first week or so, would go in with no problems. When I moved last October though, I decided to try letting them sleep outside of the cages again. My new apartment has a door on the bedroom (my old one was more of a studio and did not have a bedroom door) so I figured if worse came to worse, I could just shut the door and let them sleep in the living room. At first I had to do that a lot, but over the past few months, things have been fine at night time. Like I said, they would usually just sleep quietly on my bed.
Salem last went to the vet when he was probably about 8 months. But as far as I know, they have no current health problems. They are indoor cats and their appetites have always been fine.
The only thing I can think of is that I have a boyfriend who lives about an hour away. I usually stay at his house one or two nights a week and he usually stays at mine a few nights as well. He grew up with cats and he loves mine. The cats love him as well and they love to be pet by him and play with him when he's here. I thought maybe they were craving more attention because there are some nights when I'm not here. And maybe when he is at my house, Salem gets jealous that he has to share me? Thats the only thing I can think of right now.
Thanks for your help.
Re: Cat is a big pain in the butt
Are they spayed and neutered?
I think I would change the routine of your sleeping arrangements....speration anxiety is a very real stress factor for pets, and if you're not home on any given night, this can cause stress and upset the entire environment for the cats. Cats cannot tolerate changes in the environment, they need consistency and no disruptions. So, is there any reason your BF can't make arrangements to come to your home only?
I think I would change the routine of your sleeping arrangements....speration anxiety is a very real stress factor for pets, and if you're not home on any given night, this can cause stress and upset the entire environment for the cats. Cats cannot tolerate changes in the environment, they need consistency and no disruptions. So, is there any reason your BF can't make arrangements to come to your home only?
..........Traci
Re: Cat is a big pain in the butt
As long as he is purrfectly healthy and he is doing it just to do it, I say this.
Live with it, enjoy it and relish every moment. You will be amazed at how fast time will fly and they are no longer here and would kill for just one more lick or face smush on your forehead.
Always remember your kitty can choose to be elsewhere in your house but he does not, he chooses to be with you and giving you his loving (even if it is in the the middle of the night).
KB
Live with it, enjoy it and relish every moment. You will be amazed at how fast time will fly and they are no longer here and would kill for just one more lick or face smush on your forehead.
Always remember your kitty can choose to be elsewhere in your house but he does not, he chooses to be with you and giving you his loving (even if it is in the the middle of the night).
KB