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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cats waking me at night

150 replies

Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 17:59

Firstly I know IABU, as it is my furry overlords every right to bend me to their wills... however, I haven't had a night of undisturbed sleep in over 3 years. My big girl (5) has always been quite good and slept in her own bed, but the little one will not sleep anywhere other than with me! Every morning at 5 she wakes me with the song of her people, to let me know she has safely returned from her morning poo. She will also wake me 2-4 times in the night for no apparent reason other than she is lonely and wants strokes. I love her to death, (found her when she was 2 weeks old in a box in the street) but I'm actually feeling like the zombies from the walking dead are livelier than me now. Can't shut her out otherwise she cries for hours outside my door. I know nothing can really be done about this but I needed a vent! Do any of yours do the same? And how do you combat It??

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 09/01/2018 18:01

Sounds like my 17mo. Don't know what to suggest but not sure I'd put up with that and I say that as an animal lover.

whyOhWhyOh · 09/01/2018 18:05

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mirime · 09/01/2018 18:05

We just had to lock them out and wait for them to get used to it. Took a couple of weeks.

BulletFox · 09/01/2018 18:06

Aww in a box, Tink?

usedtogotomars · 09/01/2018 18:06

I sympathise tink

I don’t know ... one of mine is awful for night miaowing, I hate it. I boot him out between May and September unless it’s raining but I’m not sure.

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:06

I certainly will not be drowning her in a canal!!!! Confused

OP posts:
MirriVan · 09/01/2018 18:07

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PuppyMonkey · 09/01/2018 18:07

I have to lock both of mine in the back porch and little entrance bit that leads into my kitchen. I don't literally lock them in, I just close the door to kitchen and they can't open it.

I can't hear them from my bedroom when they moan. They have comfy beds and access to the kitty litter in back porch - they've got used to it and are fine now. It's cosy there, with a radiator that comes on in morning.

Leviticus · 09/01/2018 18:07

Mine sleep in the garage bad cat parent. No need for a sack.

MrsStinkey · 09/01/2018 18:08

Are they outdoor cats? I have a cat flap on my back door and close my kitchen door so my 2 can get outside and into their beds in the kitchen. I couldn't bear them coming into my room and waking me up. They'll get used to being locked out your room after a couple of weeks and it'll be well worth it for you.

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:08

Yes bullet she was so tiny. I think that's why she is so attached. I love that she wants to be with me all the time. But OMG I need sleep

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 09/01/2018 18:09

When my kitten was like this (years ago) I started feeding her late just before I went to sleep and that helped her sleep longer.

Could you get one of those auto feeders to go off with half the breakfast in the middle of the night? Might keep them settled.

crazycatgal · 09/01/2018 18:09

Maybe get a feliway? It might make her feel more comfortable so she won't keep waking you up for cuddles.

IntoTheFloodAgain · 09/01/2018 18:10

Aww returning safely from her pio Grin
Do you have a fluffy blanket or anything that could be ‘her’ on the bed?
All three of mine take turns sleeping on it throughout the day.

Could she be hungry? Have you ever got up in the middle of night when she wakes you? It could be her bowl is empty, maybe try putting an additional bowl of food or water out.

Other than that, really it’s down to you to fit sleep in around your kitty Grin

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:10

mrs yes they go outside, but when I am at home she is like my shadow. Sadly I don't have the option of blocking off my bedroom from where the flap is in the hall otherwise I'd try it

OP posts:
catlovingdoctor · 09/01/2018 18:12

Awww it's out of love!!

Pains me to say it- but sadly one day (hopefully very far away and after many happy years)- you will have to say goodbye to your lovely kitty. Make the most of every single moment.

IntoTheFloodAgain · 09/01/2018 18:13

*her spot on the bed

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:13

Haha intotheflood I had a blanket. Which is now her blanket. She suckles and kneeds on it when we are in bed. I've tried putting it outside my door but she still cries to be let in. They always have dry food down so I don't think she is hungry. She is just an attention monster

OP posts:
retirednow · 09/01/2018 18:13

Ear defenders. I often used to get up and make a bed up on the sofa just to keep kitty happy, 😐 in hindsight that was not the best solution.

Plump82 · 09/01/2018 18:14

Welcome to my world except im coming up for 11 years 😂
I dont have many places my cat can go during the night as shes not allowed in the living room at night and i live in a flat and shes a house cat.
I tried shutting her out and she scratched and scratched and scratched and SCRATCHED!!!
Shes now taken to sleeping right up the top of the bed inbetween me and and my partner so my 4-5 hours sleep isnt even in comfort. Im a pushover i know.

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:15

retired that's a good idea!! I will have to try that!

OP posts:
doomclaw · 09/01/2018 18:17

I have just had this over the last couple of weeks. There doesn't seem to be anything else wrong with him so got a feliway plug in. Used it last night and was undisturbed.

retirednow · 09/01/2018 18:17

What, the ear defenders or the sofa,😁

IntoTheFloodAgain · 09/01/2018 18:18

aww bless her, she just wants to let you know she’s still there!

Have you tried pretending to be asleep when she cries? Our first cat used to wake us up very early but I’m a heavy sleeper most days so she eventually gave up. She still comes for cuddles and licks our faces in the night but she does it quietly lol

Original poster
Tinkofhousepan · 09/01/2018 18:19

plump I feel your pain. When I'm on my own in bed I have to curl around her, and when my boyfriend stays over she gets in the middle of us and sometimes even wriggles under the covers! She likes him more now, but was super jealous of him for the first few months.

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