I'm new to the forum - I have a 3 year old ragdoll, Sabrina. We adore her, but she's had a terrible habit for the last 2 years of waking us up in the middle of the night by crying or banging a cabinet door (clever girl!). I've gotten up to check on her and she races into the next room. She doesn't want to interact, just get us up. She'll sometimes do this at 2am, 4am, 6am. If I yell out her name she'll stop (but now I'm awake!). We have not been able to break her of this habit. We feed her at night so it's not for food. We try to play with her to wear her out so she will sleep. As far as I can tell, it's just attention she wants - I'm bored, wake up. And then she's done. Any advice to break this habit?
Oh, I am sooooo familiar with this, and received some wonderful advice from JanH on this. He advised me to totally ignore Simone when she did this. Don't move, don't say anything, don't do anything (this is tough when they wake you up and you just happen to realize a trip to the bathroom would be really nice). It took about about a week of this, laying there awake (from the meows) and being very still before she realized she wouldn't get a reaction out of us and stopped. The other option is to close her into a room with her tray, food, water, and some toys for the night. JanH may have some other ideas for you too.
LOL this is so MILO at the moment his wake up time is between 2am and 3am , Teresa you are so right once I;m awake I HAVE TO GO TO THE LOO must be middle age syndrome lol
normally I just try to ignore him and generally he gets the message no play time, he will jump on the bed have a go at my toes just in case mum is playing hard to get then back off to sleep
Cats are nocturnal - and want you to join them. This has gone on so long it will be hard to change. However, my advice remains as stated - completely ignore her. If she comes and walks on you and you cannot pretend, then take her with absolutely NO interaction to a far room where you will not be awakened by her noise, prepared in advance with the essentials and for her comfort, including toys, and shut her in there for the rest of the night. When you get up, get her, give her treats and love on her.
This forum must be magic! She hasn't cried since I posted! If she does, I will try your trick of ignoring her and hope this breaks her of this evil habit. thanks so much.
Lucky you!! Hope it keeps up and she stays quiet and lets you sleep.
My then 15-year-old Clyde starting doing this too after his littermate, Bonnie, had died and he thought he was alone. I'm sure he was calling for her, trying to help her find her way home. Unfortunately he would often do this in the middle of the night.... I would go and help him find his way back to our bed and all would be right with the world again. This went on for the rest of his 18-years of life. "SIGH"....Oh, what I would give to hear that 'yowl' of his again....
Ragdoll momma Wrote:My then 15-year-old Clyde starting doing this too after his littermate, Bonnie, had died and he thought he was alone. I'm sure he was calling for her, trying to help her find her way home. Unfortunately he would often do this in the middle of the night.... I would go and help him find his way back to our bed and all would be right with the world again. This went on for the rest of his 18-years of life. "SIGH"....Oh, what I would give to hear that 'yowl' of his again....
Sorry for your loss..and what a good mommy you are to have comforted Clyde... but I have to say your Nicky is gorgeous!
We had another quiet night! This board is magic!