What to do if the cat does not sleep at night

It’s no secret that pet owners often don’t get enough sleep at night. They, in particular, suffer from insomnia due to the behavior of the cat at night.

Why are cats nocturnal animals? A cat’s biological clock is set to be active throughout the night, and her instinct manifests itself in a variety of ways, including the desire to wake you up, play, run, beg for food, or bully you to get the best spot on the bed—usually on the pillow.

There are several ways to manage your cat’s nocturnal antics—and that’s great news for all sleep-deprived family members.

Time for fun equals time for sleep

If you have recently adopted kittens, you might be surprised how often they sleep during the day. It’s true that most cats spend most of their time sleeping, whether their owners are home or not. PetMD advises that after you come home from work in the evening, help your cat burn off the energy accumulated during the day by actively playing with her for about 20-30 minutes. She will love your attention, and you will have a pleasant activity when you return home. However, keep in mind that your cat may take a nap and then be ready for active play again as soon as you lie down in your cozy bed – in this case, it’s a good idea to play with her for another 20-30 minutes before bedtime, helping her to blow off steam.

Another way to keep your kitten happy is to provide him with conditions for independent entertainment in the apartment. For example, open the curtains or blinds in an empty room so he can watch the nightlife in the neighborhood. The Humane Society notes that you can even combine play and entertainment time with your late-night TV viewing session! Avoid using any toys that make noise, otherwise you will hear tinkling balls rolling around the corridor during the night and you will not be able to sleep.

Dinner before bed

As experienced pet owners say, if you get up and feed your cat even once in the middle of the night, he will think that you will do it every night. Do not do that. If you’ve already started feeding your cat at XNUMXam for her peace of mind, don’t despair; you can gradually wean her off of it.

One way to do this is to give her dinner shortly before bed and preferably before active play. To avoid overfeeding your cat, be sure to distribute her food appropriately and feed her several times a day. Follow the directions on the food package and if you have any questions about your pet’s feeding schedule or behavior, please consult your veterinarian.

Ignoring is the best way

Have you ever closed your bedroom door in the hope that your furry darling would find some other way to get rid of the excess energy at night? If so, you have already figured out that cats see a closed door as a challenge and will fight it until it opens. (Note to first-time pet owners: cats don’t give up and can spend hours trying to open a door.) Extremely determined pets may scatter and rush at the door at full speed.

You may want to tell your furry friend to leave, but resistance is futile. The cat loves any attention. Any reaction from you means that you are ready to play. And never punish a cat for her nightly fun. It’s just her natural nighttime behavior. It’s best to ignore it completely. It’s not easy, but in the end she will still find other entertainment.

It may take several nights for the kitten to understand that you will not respond to his nightly ultimatums. With patience and persistence, you’ll be able to find restful sleep with your furry friend – and you’ll both have more energy to play through the day!