Cat so wakeful in the night - help :;

[StripeyLass]

My adopted cat (lived wth my for 4 years) is very noisy/chatty. Constant meowing and if she wants something then very loud, insistent meowing.

She can be a little darling and sleep through the night on the end of my bed but she's started waking me up between 3:30-4:30am at the moment and it's killing me. She starts by meowing and if that doesn't wake me, comes and hits me in the face to wake me up. She wants me to go and watch her eat food in the kitchen (she already has the food in her bowl) then to let her out.

We're in a first floor flat so I can't try a cat flap. I've tried leaving her out all night and the downstairs neighbours complained as she sat under their bedroom window and howled to be let in. I've tried leaving her in the kitchen with the door shut but again howling to be let out and come and sleep with me.

I'm like a zombie at the moment - help does anyone have any ideas of what to do? I need to get a lodger soon as I've just managed to find the strength to evict my abusive husband but am struggling financially without his small contribution. I can't get rid of her, she's the only thing that's kept me going through all the difficult times with his abuse. I'm worried a lodger wouldn't tolerate her noisy behaviour and I can't go on like this either. Thanks everyone, hoping you all have some ideas!

Poor you! It costs £££ but the feliway remedies might work - I haven't used myself yet but was looking for something to deal with mad scratching of my stair carpets and saw on googling that they have a whole range of different ones to deal with calming and other behaviour problems. Costs around £25 for a month's worth of stuff though...

Can she not go out for the night. Our older cat stays out in the warmer months and in when it's cold. She is like a barometer 😜

Sorry see you tried that! Phone scrolled too quick

I'm afraid I would take a hard line and persevere with shutting her in the kitchen and ignoring the howls. I say this as a cat lover, have two of my own, but when it comes to sleep my needs are greater than my cats!! Mine are shut in the lounge and kitchen overnight, the girl would scratch at the lounge door but has learnt it gets her nowhere! I am up at 6am every day, then they have the whole house and large garden to roam.
As long as she has a litter tray, bed, some toys and water she will come to no harm, she just needs to un-learn the habit. And maybe get yourself some earplugs so you don't feel so guilty and actually get a good night's sleep.

Could you put some food in your room, so at least you don't have to get up. Or try a timed feeder. My girls are coming on to my bed atboyt 4-5 as it's light outside and they think it's time to get up.

Mine has dry food and a litter tray in my room. I wear ear plugs and an eye mask. It works for us.

How old is she? Have you had a vet check recently? Is she neutered?
Don't shut her out all night. It's a risk factor for lots of things like road accidents.

Could you shut her out of your bedroom? Then she can get to kitchen and litter. She might miaow at your door for a while but then she'll give up.

Thank you everyone I am going to try all these things! I really appreciate the support. 3am last night and I'm exhausted :( it's definitely the lighter mornings. Someone (not on here) has suggested blackout curtains but I'm not sure if that would fool her!

Here she is being well behaved :)

My cat is like this in the summer . He shouts and shouts from 4.30 onwards !! We either put him out or I throw socks at him which can't hurt him but they are enough to make him run And he shuts up for a bit .. I have debated a water spray but I really do love him And don't want to . He is so annoying though !

Ha she is the double of mine! Blooy sods. I leave my door open abit and really dry food, litter tray, ear plugs. Try it.

Ha she is the double of mine! Isn't she just! I thought you had named changed @EachandEveryone

It's mad. Mines been up since 5 I just ignored her I could hear her crunching the biscuits then I had to get up for the Ocado man. She's just posing as usual whilst I study.