Like a dog behaviourist but for cats?

[LittleNoona]

I have 2 cats that are both a pain in the arse

One of them cries constantly for food. The bugger will wake me at 4am by miaowing very loudly at the bedroom door until I get up and feed him. He is treated monthly with advocate so doesn't have worms, he's not over or under weight. If he doesn't have the food he likes he will cry and refuse anything else he is offered. If there is food in the side - regardless if what it is - he will steal it. Honestly, he's driving me potty!

The second one is no trouble, don't know he's here. Unless he's sitting somewhere and you need to move him. He will scratch and bite if you go anywhere near him, even if he's been happily petted in the instant before! If he was a dog I'd be missing a finger by now I swear.

So, any ideas? His can I get the little sods to bloody well behave?!

.......until I get up and feed him........

And there's your problem - he's learned what works. I'd re-train him. Is he young and healthy? Oh - and does he go outside?

I'd be moving the other cat by a firm word (OFF!) and a clap of hands with a pointing gesture.

I'm guessing you're a bit under the paw, LittleNoona.

PS - if Cat 1 was to yowl for a night or two, how would that affect the household (eg any DCs who would be woken and then late for school?)

Under the paw - that's me!!

Greedy cat was 4 in June, grumpy cat was 5 in April.

Both come and go as they please and both are health, vaccinated, neutered and have flea/worm treatment monthly.

If greedy cat is left to miaow all night dd would be awake too - not ideal as she needs to be up got school, I need to be up for work. The only thing he will eat is whiskers pouches, he won't touch anything else (except human food)

Will try clapping at grumpy cat and being more firm

Back at the computer.

I'd try to break the connection he's formed between yowling, you getting up, him getting fed.

This morning, I'd suggest that when he yowls you get up as you do, go to the kitchen, but instead of getting him some food, potter for a couple of minutes/get yourself a hot drink and then go back to your bedroom all without acknowledging him.

He'll likely have to think about that for 5 or 10 minutes and will then come back but just a tad more tentatively - it will be a big break in his pattern. If you get up again, do the same thing - no acknowledgment. I wouldn't do it more than twice. Just grit it out after the second time. He'll almost certainly give up fairly quickly because he has to contemplate things.

Food probably about - say - 6.00 or 6.30 if you're awake (because his body will be used to nourishment at that stage and you'll have to adjust his nosh timing over three or four days until it's at what you want - 7.30 or 8 ish?

PS - don't be surprised if you suddenly get some agonized yelling at about 6.00. That would be an 'OK - enough of this faffing about, MUM, I'm hungry !

It's just breaking the habit he's got and you can't do it completely overnight.

All the advice you have been given is good and I agree of this should work. If you still feel you need help there are cat behaviourists and Sarah Caney is the best.

Cats are in my mind similar to toddlers - clever enough to manipulate but need lots of looking after.

Ignoring the mews miaows and whines are the key to change this behaviour. It's hard. I find sleeping pills helpful and a fan in my room to block the noise!

Grumpy cat - can you use treats as bribes? To get my cat troop in or out of an area I use treats. Amazing how fast they move for that!