Cats Will Not Settle Down at Night

Cats are nocturnal creatures by nature, so it's normal for a domesticated cat to wake up a few times during the night. However, your cats can develop an excess of energy once the sun goes down, and their running, chasing, and pouncing on the bed can leave you bleary-eyed in the morning. While it's impossible to control your cats' schedule, you can incorporate a few practices into your daily life that will make it easier for everyone to sleep at night.

  1. Exercise and Play

    • Due to their hunting instincts, cats try to catch small moving objects.

      Your cats need to play to maintain their health and happiness, but they can also spend up to sixteen hours each day sleeping. If you see your cats sleeping during the day, wake them up and play with them. To give them an outlet for their nocturnal energy, incorporate playtime just before you want to go to bed. Use toys that encourage hunting behavior, such as a laser pointer or a stuffed toy on a string that can move and jump like a small animal.

    Feeding

    • Make sure your cats like their food and eat enough during the day.

      Cats will often jump on your bed at night to induce you to get up and give them food. Create a feeding schedule for your cats and stick to it. Give them a large meal just before you go to bed to keep them full. You can also invest in an automatic food dispenser that will feed them once during the night. In any case, be sure not to overfeed your cats just to calm them down, as this can lead to obesity and other health problems.

    Noisy Toys

    • Put away anything your cat could knock over at night.

      Some of your cats' toys may be better off stored in a closet overnight, including anything that has bells, crinkly fabric, or other elements that make noise. Bring out a separate set of quiet plush toys before you go to bed; your cats will be engrossed by the novelty of different toys while you get some sleep. Make sure to hide anything else noisy that your cats like to play with, such as empty paper bags or newspaper.

    Training Yourself

    • How you interact with your cats will determine whether or not your behavioral training works. Create a routine and follow it completely for a few weeks. One of the hardest things for a cat owner to do is resist giving attention to the cats during the night. However, if you get up to feed or play with your cats, they will only learn that they can successfully wake you at their whim. Be strict with yourself and your cats to work towards a full night's sleep.