Cat’s behavior stops owner from sleeping

Dear Cathy: Our 6-yearold neutered male cat has a behavior that disturbs our sleep. He will meow, run across the bed, push the rugs around, and jump off the chest of drawers onto the bed. He has gone for weeks, even months, sleeping contently at night. We don’t understand what brings on this behavior.

We’ve tried waiting him out, which works occasionally. We have tried telling our dog (who sleeps on his mat by the bed) to “go get the cat.” The cat is not intimidated, and the interruption is only brief.

We have put him in the laundry room with his litter box, food, and water for several consecutive nights, but when we let him out, he goes back to his old behavior. Any suggestions other than confining him? — Marilyn, Tucson, AZ

Dear Marilyn: Most night vocalizations are behavioral and related to boredom or not enough playtime during the day. Cats are nocturnal and so get friskier at night. The fact that your cat is keeping busy all nightlong indicates he has some energy to burn. Here are some suggestions: Feed him before you go to bed. Cats, sleep better on a full tummy.

Get him a cat food puzzle toy to feed him. This type of “game” engages the cat’s brain and should help tire him. An engaged cat won’t be meowing for attention.

Introduce several five-minute play sessions throughout the day to help wear him out. Make the last session at night right before bedtime.

Play music on low throughout the night. There are musical arrangements, like “Through a Cat’s Ear,” that were created to calm felines.

You can always plug in feline pheromones around the house to see if that calms your cat too.

As an aside, your cat may be losing his hearing or have an underlying health problem, so take your cat to the vet if these suggestions don’t work.