My cat sleeps all late mourning to late evening. And at night right when we all go to sleep, is when he starts playing and making a mess. He'll run around the house like crazy, he'll jump on things, scratch the couch and even jump walls! He scratches the bottom of doors to open them, and he meows nonstop until someone opens it for him.
He also hides and attacks my siblings legs. He sometimes scratches us when we try to pet him. What can i do to calm him down?
Answers:
Cats are nocturnal (active at night) by nature. You'll need to work to 'reset' his schedule. Make sure he has plenty to keep him occupied during the day - this link has great suggestions:
http://www.catclinicofroswell.com/faq/de...
Every evening, set aside some time for a good play therapy session: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...
Follow the play session with a nice, filling meal of a high-quality canned cat food (see http://www.catinfo.org/ for information on choosing a good canned food). That will help to mimic the natural activity of hunting and feeding, which should help him to sleep.
Make sure that you aren't unintentionally encouraging his nightime antics by getting up %26 playing with him, talking to him, petting him, feeding him, or even yelling at him - it's all attention. DO NOT open the door for him when he meows, no matter how persistent he is. Giving up %26 opening the door for him after he meows persistently just teaches him to be more persistent. Expect him to be VERY persistent about it for a while until he finally figures out it isn't getting him anywhere. Set up a vacuum cleaner near your bed, where you can reach the switch from your bed, and plug it in. If he bothers you at night or starts yowling or scratching at the door, switch on the vacuum cleaner. The 'vacuum monster' coming to life should discourage him from bothering you - he should make the connection pretty quickly.
Here's an article about excessive nocturnal activity in cats:
http://www.asah.net/behavior_topics_49.h...
For the leg attacking, read this article: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...
For the scratching when you pet him, read this article:
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...
For the couch scratching, read this page:
http://www.catscratching.com
This link has information about the needs of an indoor cat - making sure his basic mental and physical needs are met will help to make him a better companion:
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/747.htm...
Hope this helps!
That's what cats do!
Give the cat some catnip. That will settle him down
My cats do the same thing. I usually play with them for an hour or so before bedtime which wears them out. By the time I go to sleep, they're ready for bed as well.
my cat does the same thing. all day hes calm, and as soon as i go to bed...hes a freakin maniac and a half! itll be like 4am and my whole house is echoing with his meowing. all night i hear him charging around the house and up/down the stairs! hell hide behind walls and when i walk by, he jumps at my legs. its jus what cats do!
Is he neutered?? If not, do it NOW. Cats are nocturnal by nature. some never become totally people friendly. Get a spray bottle- fill it with water and set him up with the opportunity to attack you siblings legs and nail him while yelling NO!!!! I had a 1/2 Siamese that would pluck the screen if she saw you and wanted in! But she would also sit on command and roll over!! Anyway, ;) With the door scratching, lay to the side by the door and when he reaches under spray him in the face w/ a NO. With the rest confine him to one room at night w/ no breakables and turn up a radio in the room for you and him-so you can't hear him and to keep him company. Time and don't give up!!!
We rehomed one like that. In the first week he had all of the curtains down in the house by trying to climb them. We quickly introduced him to our cat flap so he can go in and out when he likes. As he can go out and expend his energy doing normal feline things (mostly climbing on roofs), when he's in, he's a lot calmer. Just make sure yours is neutered first. We've also found leaving the doors in the house slightly ajar helps - they quickly learn how to open them just enough to get through.
Unfortunately, sometimes you just get a skitty kitty and nothing can be done - just love him for who he is.
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