Top Ways to Avoid Cat-Related Sleep Deprivation
Friday July 18, 2008
Does your cat constantly wake you at night by either playing on the bed, waking you to be fed, or wanting cuddle time when all you want is sleep? Many people with sleeping disorders have problems going back to sleep after being awakened by a cat. There is no need to suffer from cat-related sleep deprivation. Try one or more of these suggestions to get a full night's sleep, and still give your cat the attention he needs. Also, while you're here, vote in the poll.
Comments
Are there any medications you can give your cats? I’ve endured countless hours of lost sleep over the months I’ve had my calicos Hall and Oats. I NEED MY SLEEP!
We just moved, and the cats haven’t figured out where their favorite places are yet. Audrey used to sleep with me and Abby under the bed; now, I think Abby is either under the bed or in the bedroom closet; Audrey sleeps in the living room on a footstool we call the “kitty futon” or on the couch; Sophie sleeps in one of the cat beds or on a fleece pad on the window seat; and I don’t know where Sebastian sleeps on the rare occasions that he does. Usually, he’s either playing downstairs or walking around on our bed, using it for a launching pad to jump to the dresser or cat tree.
My large tuxedo cat Shadow sleeps half the night in her kitty basket, then moves to the carpet by the dresser. My little tuxedo cat Oreo sleeps part of the night in her window perch, and the rest of the night she insists on sleeping with me. If only she wouldn’t give her little “brr-rr” as she hops on the bed I could get more sleep.
I issued a “NO” command to Benny when I went to bed the first night after I adopted him as he jumped up on my bed. He obeyed ..to my surprise…and has slept on a plastic covered bin placed by the window ever since. He also patiently waits till I get up..whenever that may be..I`m retired…and then he gets fed. I find him a verrry patient and loving cat and I`m so glad I adopted him when I didn`t even intend to bring home a cat from the shelter. I went with my daughter and he was there in a very small cage. The rest is history…
Ben and Charlie are not allowed in the bedroom for several reasons, one of which is sleep deprivation. Charlie eats the plants and knocks them on the floor. Ben runs wild all night and also is a wire chewer. We have a sleep number bed and Ben almost destroyed the compressor. They usually sleep on the living room couch, the chairs, the floor of the workout room, or on top of the kitchen cabinets! Yup, on top of the kitchen cabinets!!
With seven cats, sleep can be hard to come by some nights. I have cronic insomnia so the cat’s play and night time prowls does not bother me. Now, my wife is a different story. She can get crabby when her sleep is interrupted by one or more cats. We leave the cardboard boxes that the 24 pack of small catfood cans come in laying about along with a couple of open paper grocery bags at the far end of the house for the cats to lay in and on. Most nights they will choose to stay and sleep in those instead of climbing in bed with us on and off all night. Another thing I do is leave my shirts that I wore the last few days in the floor at night, in seperate places of course, and they will curl up on them. Access to clothes baskets with clean or dirty laundry works well too, LOL.
We have 6 cats but only 2 are allowed in the bedroom. The others get into things, break stuff and generally cause chaos.
We keep the door closed and only let the 2 “good” kitties in.
One of the “good kitties” wakes up really early and is VERY happy in the morning. She purrs and paws and kisses and rubs so we usually have to put her out somewhere between 4-6 am.
Just those two hog our queen size bed. I don’t even want to think about having 6 sleeping with me!
My cats sleep at least part of the night with (on) me, the rest wherever they like, either separately or together.
Timely post. Guess who was up at 4:45 A.M.? (Me, myself and Pooh Bear!) I will have to try one of these tips.
Oh, and, how do you keep your cats from clawing the carpet next to the door frame when you lock them out of the bedroom?
Yes, I usually snuggle with my cat, and she insists on a particular side of the bed, with my arm stuck out for her to nestle in. Now I have a poison oak rash on that arm - and I think she gave it me. Ah, the frustration!
I medicate myself so that I can still sleep through the night. My cat Stu claws me at night to get me to play. I call it “shanking the Master.” While medicated, I can sleep, but I do wake up with claw marks on my face and arms from time to time.
Sebastian