New foster is nocturnal

[Chemenger]

We have a new foster, she’s lovely, her owner has had to go into care and she was alone in the house for weeks with neighbours feeding her. The problem is she’s totally nocturnal, as in she spends the whole night begging for attention from me, loudly. I’ve patiently explained that cats are actually crepuscular but she’s not having it. We don’t see her at all through the day, we don’t even know where she hides. How can I get her to become more socially integrated into our household? I can’t include a picture for obvious reasons.

Great to hear that you have another foster. What happened to your old-lady tortie? I hope she found suitable slaves

As regards nocturnal cat, are there any other cats in the household? I've found that new cats tend to adopt to a routine better if the current cats show them what's what.

Old lady went to live with a human older lady who was ready and willing to pander to her every whim. She had owned torties before and knew what to expect. I think they’ll be fine together.

No other cats in this house, unfortunately.

Oh bugger! You're screwed so until she gets used to the household pattern. I just enforced very firm boundaries until the cat got the idea. I'm very stubborn and cats are very persistent but I can put up with a few sleepless nights. Eventually they get the message that nothing exciting happens in this house at night and it's worth sleeping through instead.

Much better last night. Only two visits. Her best effort was jumping off the headboard on to me but I refused to react so she gave up. I could shut her out, but the thought of her all by herself for those weeks is too sad. She was out and about in the evening playing, she is very loving, a total sweetheart.

Sometimes adults flip day to night when their older so her owner might have been nocturnal and the cat adapted.

She is gradually improving now. Up at 5pm last night and saw daylight this morning. She seemed quite interested in looking out of the window in the light so maybe that will help reset her clock. She didn’t wake me up last night either.

Just to finish off this old thread, I took this foster to her new owner today. We came very close to failing as fosterers. She is absolutely adorable. However she needs someone who is in most of the time, so when we start going to work she will be alone all day. She’s still nervous and anxious if left on her own. We went through a period of over grooming, no fur on her back legs and tummy for a while. Eventually she settled in and became very affectionate. Her new mum and dad are retired and are real cat lovers. It’s a match made in heaven.

This is such good news!.

Oh thats fantastic news you must have got so attached. I hope they keep you up dated.