[2kids3cats4me]

I'm looking for suggestions on what to do about one of my cats. My husband and I adopted 2 kittens about 2-1/2 years ago, George and Herbie. George is the perfect cat; he's always well-behaved and even though he wakes up early like cats should he is quiet about it and lets us sleep.

Herbie, on the other hand, is crazy! He usually wakes us up between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning by slapping the window shades in the bedroom and knocking everything off the dressers. We have tried everything from putting them in another room at night to using a squirt bottle and nothing seems to phase him.

I guess I wouldn't have such an objection to letting them stay in another room by themselves at night except that George (the behaved one) likes to sleep at my side at night and it's so adorable. I don't want to leave him alone just to get Herbie to settle down. We've tried putting Herbie in a room by himself but he just goes crazy, and eventually George will wake up during all the commotion which ends up leading to both cats standing on either side of the door screaming and scratching at it.

What do we do next? We love these guys to pieces for the most part. We're just lacking sleep. :?

 

[brandon]

have you tired playing with them with toys untill they are pooped right before bed? That can help them sleep through the night but it might take a few days before you see the effects of that.

If mine get too much sleep in the afternoon/evening they end up being a pain early like that. When I give them enough attention at night that they dont sleep they usually make it through the night no problem

 

[2kids3cats4me]

Yep. We've tried playing with him within 30 minutes before we retire for the night. He's kind of lazy and doesn't get into playing very much. He more or less just ends up watching us play with his toys.

That's the other weird thing about Herbie versus George. George loves to play and you don't have to entertain him. He has this thing with caps off of water bottles and caps off of ice cream toppings. I think he likes the way they sound on a linoleum floor. He imaginative enough to even pick one up, set it down somewhere else, then walk back to where he came from and get into an attack mode like he's on a hunt. It's hilarous! Herbie is simply content to be a lap kitty during the day and go carousing at night.

Is it possible for a cat to be "trained" to enjoy playing with certain things if you're persistent about it?

 

[Padunk]

My cats do the same kinds of things when I sleep in later than usual.. the reason why they do it is because they're hungry.

They'll do everything from knock stuff off the dresser, wrestle on the bed, or Punky will sometimes bite my fingers. (lightly, lol)

If you don't feed them before bed try changing your routine so that they get a meal at night. I feed mine as I'm turning off the lights and making sure the front door is locked, etc.

 

[Annissa]

I do exactly what Padunk does. Sabby will wake me up at 3:30 a.m. if I don't feed him right before bedtime. He's not very nice about it, either.

 

[2kids3cats4me]

Thanks, guys, but we leave a little bit of food out for them in overnight. I'm really starting to think that not only is it his natural hunting instict but attention seeking as well.

I got online earlier and ordered some stuff called "Sticky Paws" to keep him off the dressers, so maybe that will help.

Maybe this is crazy thinking, but has anyone ever heard of a cat having a hyperactivity problem? Is it possible that he was overstimulated from constant holding and petting as a kitten and now he's wired? He was so fluffy and adorable when we got him at just a couple months old that I found it hard to put him down.

I've also been wondering if there is something that the vet could give me to help him sleep longer at night but I don't want him on something if it's going to keep him groggy all day and ruin his quality of life. If anyone's ever heard of such a thing or has any opinions please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[ForJazz]

I am just guessing that it's not a good idea for your cat to take sleeping pills every day. I have heard of kitties taking prozac, and obviously some cats take medication for chronic illnesses, but your cat sounds like a completely normal cat if he's snuggly during the day and awake at night. Cats *are* nocturnal after all. I would try seriously changing your routine with them. Maybe your cat doesn't play because he doesn't like your toys? My cats never like a toy immediately. It has to sit around for a few hours before they go nuts over it. Do you have wand toys? Or catnip mice? Or those balls inside a track?

My guess is that the sticky paws will work for your dresser, though.

 

[coco & little guy]

One of our 2 cats, little guy, is a machine. He gets a treat before bed, and then usually between 3:30 am and 4:30 am he wants another treat. He then wants another like around 6:30 am. He has even gotten me up for work before. Unless he is feeling bad, he likes his treats! I feed them deli turkey or chicken.

He will jump up on the bed and give his usual vocalization. I am used to it now. I guess as I get older, I sleep lighter. He has been laying on my chest lately if I don't get up right away, and pretend to sleep. He does all sorts of little tricks to try to get me up.

Coco on the other hand, sleeps with his mama. He never asks for treats, he lets little guy do it. I call them both and they both get treats. I sort of like giving them the treats too. Call me weird. I just love my guys.

Sorry to ramble, this is my first of many posts. Now, if I can only figure out the signature thing. I have a good pic of both guys that I want to use.

Bryon