Why
does my cat seem to be most
active at nights?
Some
cats are active at night or
awake and "raring to go"
very early in the morning. Since
many owners are out at work
or school during the day the
cat may spend the daytime hours
in rest and relaxation, especially
if it is the only pet in the
household. The cat's day
then begins when the owner arrives
home to provide the cat with
feeding, play and social interaction.
This is also the most natural
time for cats to be active since
they normally are most active
in hunting and exploration at
dusk and dawn (this is known
as crepuscular). Typical complaints
are cats that nibble or even
attack the owner's ears
or toes in bed, walking
across the sleeping owners,
nighttime vocalization, or explosive,
uncontrollable play sessions
across the furniture and/or
owners, during the night or
early morning. Some owners inadvertently
reward the behavior by giving
the cat a little food, affection,
or attention to try and calm
the cat.
How
can I stop my cat from keeping
me up at night?
You
must learn to schedule and encourage
play and feeding during the
daytime and evening hours, so
that the cat's schedule
more closely matches that of
yourself. Adjusting the timing
of feeding or the type of food
may help to alter the cat's
sleep schedule. For example,
eating a few hours earlier or
later, or increasing the evening
meal to one that is higher in
carbohydrates may help to alter
the cat's schedule just
enough that it sleeps through
the night.
Some
cats can be retrained by keeping
the cat awake and active by
playing, feeding and interacting
with the cat throughout the
afternoon and evening. Catnaps
in the evening should be discouraged.
If
the cat continues to disturb
you during the night, confining
your cat out of the bedroom,
and providing it with a comfortable
sleeping area and litter may
do the trick. Do not provide
food through the night as this
encourages the cat to stay awake.
On the other hand, if the cat
remains awake, providing the
cat with ample opportunity for
scratching, climbing and play
in a confined area may occupy
the cat until it becomes tired.
Cats
that are vocal when locked out
of the bedroom must be ignored.
Going to the cat or giving attention
in any way will only serve to
reward the demanding behavior.
Cats that scratch or bat at
the bedroom door can be kept
away by the use of an upside
down carpet runner, electronic
pet mat or perhaps a motion
detector (although it might
disturb the owner). Citronella
spray avoidance units are also
available (see our handout on
‘Behavior management products').
If the cat is overly vocal,
lock it away in as sound proof
an area as possible such as
a washroom, or a cat carrier
in a distant bedroom. Nested
corrugated cardboard boxes around
the cage help to further reduce
the noise.
What
if it is necessary to have the
cat sleep in the bedroom?
If
you decide that your cat would
do best if allowed to stay in
the bedroom, you must remember
that any attention whatsoever
will further reinforce the behavior.
React to the demanding cat with
inattention. However if the
cat persists or the behavior
escalates to a point where it
cannot be ignored, punishment
may be effective.
It
should first be noted that punishment
is generally contraindicated
in cats because punishment that
is too mild is likely to be
ineffective and may actually
serve to provide enough play
or attention to reward the behavior.
Punishment that is too harsh
on the other hand could lead
to an increase in anxiety, fear
of the owner and even aggression.
If punishment is to be used,
devices that quickly deter the
cat without the need for owner
contact, such as a water sprayer,
air horn, ultrasonic device
or compressed air or a spray
of citronella are usually the
safest and most effective.
Is
there medication that might
help?
If
all else fails and the cat does
not sleep through the night
with behavioral techniques alone,
your veterinarian may be able
to provide some medication to
help your cat fall asleep for
the first few nights.
This client
information sheet is based on
material written by Debra Horwitz,
DVM, DACVB and
Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB.
© Copyright 2002 Lifelearn
Inc. Used with permission under
license. March 11, 2004. |