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HELP - I can't take much more

14 replies

LifesAnItch · 09/05/2021 07:40

I have 2 indoor cats. They are 11 years old, from the same litter and I've had them since they were 6 weeks old.

1 (the female) is very chilled and laidback, if not a little clingy at times. The boy however is an absolute pain in the arse!!! Love him to bits but he's greedy and very demanding. He goes mad, running up and down the hall, bouncing off walls (literally) if he doesn't get the attention/food he wants.

He's also getting us up at 5/5.5.30am every morning to be fed. Pre-baby, I would just feed him and he'd go back to sleep afterwards but now, he eats and then runs about meowing loudly and scratches at the windows and doors like he's possessed! He's not like this during the day.

I've tried ignoring him and shutting him the livingroom but he is so loud that he wakes the baby and that is a definite no-no!
Long story short, I'm having to get up at 5.30ish every morning just to keep him quiet so that everyone else can sleep and it's becoming a real struggle, especially if I've been up during the night.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I've had the vet round and he's fit and well so no medical reason for his behaviour. I've also bought feliway plug-ins to try and relax/calm him but they don't seem to make any difference.

I'm at my wits end!

OP posts:
keiratwiceknightly · 09/05/2021 07:44

Can you get one of those timed feeders that pop open at a set time? At least he may learn to settle if he is fed? Sympathies - I have an evil cat (I'm v fond of him but he is a pain).

romdowa · 09/05/2021 07:55

Is the running around like mad a new thing or has he always been like this?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 09/05/2021 07:59

My cat has started doing this. It’s because the neighbours are feeding him.

chocpott · 09/05/2021 08:26

Are you cats spayed/neutered?

Branleuse · 09/05/2021 08:28

Do they have enough space and stimulation to be indoor only?

25yearsnhsworker · 09/05/2021 08:32

I would buy a timed feeder and set it to open early hours of the morning so cat is not disturbing you.
Have you got any interactive toys that spin round for them to grab at. My kitten used to love our one.

RedSquirrelRoar · 09/05/2021 08:43

Timed feeder is a good idea! Could also try feeding later in evening?
Is he maybe getting less attention since baby came along? And by keeping you up while everyone else is asleep he gets to hang out with you 1-2-1?
Could you add anything to daily routine to tire him out/stimulate him during the day? Treat balls, new toys, more grooming/fussing, etc?

WildfirePonie · 09/05/2021 08:43

Can you put him in a different room at night? Catio?

Frustratedbeyondbelief · 09/05/2021 08:48

Sorry for a stupid question but genuinely don't know the answer. I always assumed 'indoor' cats were indoors because they couldn't get outdoors .. (old age, infirm etc) . Why would you prevent a cat from going out. ? Sounds a bit like he's going stir crazy. Is letting him out to behave in a normal cat way not the solution?

SwanShaped · 09/05/2021 08:51

Is this new? How come he’s an indoor cat?

WaterBottle123 · 09/05/2021 09:02

He sounds like he wants to be an outdoor cat :(

LifesAnItch · 09/05/2021 09:27

The running around isn't new but it used to be a mad half hour, once in a while. Now it's every morning and stops as soon as I'm up.

Can't lock him in another room unfortunately as he scratches the door and yells loudly which keeps me up and disturbs the baby.

They were both spayed/neutered at 5 months.

They've always been indoor cats, have never known any different. I live in a big city near a main road. I let my first cat out and he was run over and killed within 3 months.

They have plenty of space in the house, it's 3 bed and the only rooms that are off limits to them are the kitchen and baby's room.

Haven't tried a timed feeder as, like I say, he's greedy and he'd eat both his and his sisters food. He just pushes her out the way and she lets him.

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/05/2021 14:12

He’s probably unsettled by the new baby.

RedSquirrelRoar · 09/05/2021 19:47

It sounds like he definitely wants your attention. Maybe try lovebombing the little monster for a couple of days (extra playtime/petting) and see if that improves things? Probably the last thing you want to do when he’s being a dick Grin but if he gets loads of attention during the day he might not feel the need to get it in the small hours - and if you can tire him out he may sleep longer.
You could try feeding dry food in a treat ball as well - should keep him quiet for a while and it’s another thing to tire him out a bit.

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