How can I get some sleep?

erinb_86

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Well Tux my kitten is now almost 5months old and though I love him to death...I am starting to run on fuel! He is a very rambunctious kitten and during the night times I am lucky if I get 5 hours of sleep in a row. This wouldn't be so bad, but I work shift work and sometimes I need to be up for 6 AM instead of the usual 9. My predicament is that when I try closing my door to keep out the noise, or to keep him from coming in my room and playing on the bed, he then preceeds to scratch and cry until I open it back up. I have tried using a water bottle and saying no but its hard cause each time I have to get up and he only last a few minutes before trying it again. Is there any deterant sprays I can use around the door so he will get the hint? Or is there something else I should be doing. I don't want to deter him from playing at night cause I know its only his nature, it's just that I would like to have a bit of a haven so I can actually start to get some restful sleep. Even my days off are rough!
 

skyecat0117

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Try getting in a good play session before bedtime. We had to do that with Skye when we first got her. It seemed life she had boundless energy. A laser pointer can be yours and your kitty's favorite toy. I had Skye running so hard last night she was panting and passed out even before we turned out the lights. At least an hour before bed time. Good luck
 

white cat lover

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If you can afford it & have space....could you get a kitten playmate?

Not only would be benefit from the socialization, but he would have someone to play with all the time as opposed to you.
 

swooshfinn

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

If you can afford it & have space....could you get a kitten playmate?

Not only would be benefit from the socialization, but he would have someone to play with all the time as opposed to you.
I took the advice of some cat loving friends and did that, and am glad that I did, was a little rough the first couple of weeks, but now I don't even notice if they are up all night playing anymore (if they still do that)
 

faith's_mom

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When my kitties are too 'crazy' at night and I can't sleep, and I have to shut the door, sometimes two of them will hang out at the door; one will meow, while the other scratches! I take a rolled up newspaper after a while, if they don't give up by me simply ignoring them, and open the door enough to slip the newspaper through, then whap the doorframe a bit, while telling them "NO" and go play somewhere else! The noise itself usually scares them off, and they get the idea to go romp elsewhere; then when I wake up sometime in the night, I can then open the door again, and they come up and sleep on the bed with us.
 

eliot'smom

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I second the "marathon playtime before bed" routine every night....it really does help. I am unable to get a second cat due to apartment rules....otherwise I would have done that a long time ago! Now if I could just figure out how to KEEP him asleep until at least 7 am or so....he gets frisky around 5 am and wants breakfast and playtime! I keep a laser pointer at the bedside table...LOL!
 
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erinb_86

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haha Well I definitely think I will take your guys idea about the marathon play session up for sure. I do live in an apartment and while pets are allowed I'm just not sure I even agree with my baby being locked up like this all the time! He was given to me as a surprise gift and I had always hoped that when I had gotten a nice house that I would treat myself to a menagery of animals who could play outside and in but optimally that hasn't happened. I'm scared with two cats the room will just seem even small, not to mention my wallet feeling lighter for sure. Thanks for the suggestion though...I only wish it was a better option cause I would definitely love another kitten! :p
 

sarahp

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Trust me, it's better with 2. A second cat doesn't suddenly take up a heap more space, but having them play together will help your sanity.

And just be firm about the closed door. It may take a few sleepless nights (which you're getting anyway!), but if your kitten goes out whenever he gets to rambunctious, he'll soon learn that behaviour osn't acceptable. And if you have a second kitten, you won't feel so bad about locking him out of your room, or leaving him home alone all day
 
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