How to Stop My Cat From Waking Me?

Question

My cat Motley goes through phases in which he scratches at my bedroom door at 3 to 5 am. He is 4 yrs old, neutered, dsh orange tabby. I've had him since he was 2 1/2 weeks old (Ive done tons of fostering, so I knew how to raise him). He eats a high quality grain free food. He has some ocd behavior scratching the fireplace or kitchen cabinet 20 minutes at a time. I can not pill him with prozac as he can be aggressive (and I am spending alot of money on my 18yr old kitty right now). Anyway, I let him sleep in my room if it starts out that way before I go to bed. Once I get up to pee around 3-5am he gets up and leaves. But if he doesnt want to be in my room to start, I shut the door because if he does come in my room during the night he climbs on everything and knocks stuff over. So I shut the door and he is out there playing at 3am and scratches at my door. If I ignore it, it will go on til 5am just before I have to get up for work. So I get up about 5 times to scare him off, losing sleep all the time! Sometimes I will get up and sleep on the couch so he stays away from the door and my husband can sleep. So of course it takes another half hour till he stops playing. He does go outside (I have some acreage)about 1-4 hours a day, usually after dinner time. I do make efforts to play with him to burn energy after dinner if he doesnt go outside. I have tried one suggestion which was to make a moat outside the door, a cookie tray of water. But he loves water! Has anyone heard of a scat mat? I cant seem to find them. Any thoughts or suggestions? I really cant let him in my room once it hits 3am, he is wired and paws and climbs on everything. He does nap in my room everyday for an afternoon nap for hours.

Update:

Thanks, but I dont like him outside overnight. I live on a rural road people speed on and there are stray cats he has fought with. Its cold now too!

Stephanie · Accepted Answer

Our cats are the same way. We put a baby gate in front of out door so they can't scratch it anymore. This doesn't stop the meowing however. So we have a noise maker in our room, just a constant humming sound from our air purifier does the trick. 

I have heard of the Ssscat Mat, but they're hard to come by and you'd probably have to buy it online. I did purchase the cannister kind that blows air and that seemed to do the trick with one of the cats that terrorizes my plant. Maybe try putting that in front of your door?

Lloyd · Answer

Your cat is basically seeing you as a companion, it sees you as a mother and likes the scent and warmth of you body, if you leave the door open slightly then he can get access in and out whenever possible. You can keep the door closed with him in there but he will scratch at it, or meow, if he needs to go out to pee. If you put some sort of cat bed in your room with an old jumper thats yours, it will find it more homely and sleep on it more than likely.

cat lover · Answer

A scat mat is a possibility, and they are not that difficult to find.  Sometimes putting down foil on the carpet is all that is needed.  See link for a variety of scat mats.

Not all cats are annoyed with water.

moomie · Answer

gosh.  the only thing i can think of that might help is to put a rolled up towel at the bottom of the door after you close it.  my reasoning is that if he can't smell you so clearly he may not try as hard to come in.  worth a try anyway and hopefully it works.  also maybe a scratching post on the other side of the door.  good luck.

angeloneus · Answer

Put him in a carrier in the garage or a bathroom far from your bedroom over night, or send him outside during that time.

Bolton · Answer

during the night put him outside

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How to Stop My Cat From Waking Me?

6 Answers