As a cat owner, you’ve likely experienced an unwanted early morning wake-up call. Whether it's a persistent paw tap to your face, loud meows or chirps, or a gentle bite on your arm, cats seem to love awakening their humans at the crack of dawn.
So why do cats do this? And, more importantly, how can you get them to stop?
Why Your Cat Is Waking You Up Too Early
Understanding cat behavior will help you understand your cat’s actions as well as find a solution to the problem so you can sleep in guilt-free.
Hunting
Cats are crepuscular meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are also natural hunters, and, in the wild, this is when prey is most active. By waking early ready to hunt - and eat! your cat is following their instincts.
Feeding
If your cat is used to being fed at a specific time, they may associate that with your waking up. Even if you feed them later in the morning, they may still associate your getting up with them getting fed, no matter what time it is. So when they are hungry, they will wake you up in order to get their breakfast.
Boredom
If your cat is trying to wake you up, they may be seeking attention or company. Cats can become bored or lonely, especially if they don’t have any other pets to play with while you rest. If they’re awake and you’re not, they might just want to hang out with you.
How to Stop Your Cat from Waking You Up Too Early
It will take some time as well as some trial and error, but here are some suggestions to help you and your cat sleep later.
Establish a Consistent Feeding Schedule
Feed your cat at the same time each day, especially before you go to bed. Your cat may appreciate a larger meal in the evening, which can help them - and you! - sleep later.
Exercise at Night
Make time to play with your cat in the evening 1-2 hours before bedtime because a tired cat is much more likely to sleep through the night. A 15-20 minute play session will help your cat burn off energy. Wand toys, laser pointers, catnip kickers, or jingle balls - anything that keeps them moving and interested is great. Keep in mind that like people, cats need time to wind down, and a play session too close to bedtime might leave them too amped up to sleep.
Create a Bedtime Routine
A consistent bedtime routine will help your cat to understand when it's time to wind down for the night. Dim the lights, avoid loud noises, clean up the toys, and let them know it’s time to rest. If your cat is particularly rowdy at night, you may want to create a designated sleeping area for them. Make them a cozy spot with a soft bed or blankets - maybe a heated blanket! - where they can rest and not disturb you. Cats love to sleep high up where they feel safe from predators and can survey their environment so putting a bed on a dresser, shelf, or cat tree could appeal to them. Cats also like to be surrounded on three sides for further protection while they sleep so consider a box, cubby, or high sided bed to help them feel safe and sleep longer.
Provide Stimulation at Nighttime
To keep your cat entertained while you sleep, leave out puzzle feeders or interactive toys that can keep them mentally and physically occupied during the night. Remove them during the daytime so it becomes a nighttime-only special treat.
Ignore Early Wake Ups
This one is going to be hard, but if your cat feels like they are rewarded - either with breakfast or affection - when they wake you up, they have no incentive to stop waking you up. You’ll need to ignore the behavior if you want them to stop it. So ignore the meows, don’t pet them, and definitely don’t feed them or else you’re encouraging them to repeat the behavior again tomorrow.
Stay Consistent
Cats love routine so consistency is key. Stick to your mealtime, playtime, and bedtime routines as much as possible to help your cat adjust to their new schedule.
While you can’t change your cat’s behavior overnight, these strategies can help both you and your cat get some well-deserved rest.
Love, Nala
