Hey all! My healthy 3 year old boy Ozzy has taken to waiting until bedtime (e.g. lights are out, I'm in bed trying to sleep) to become obnoxiously active and trying to get attention. I live in small loft-style condo, so the walls do not go all the way up to the ceiling, nor do I have a door to the bedroom. So it's impossible to shut out the noise. He uses a high-pitched meow in short little bursts that becomes more pronounced and elongated the longer I ignore him, not to mention is perfect for escalating my anxiety and nerves. He will jump up and dart across me on the bed, he will jump onto my nightstand and knock EVERYTHING over, or just stand there and howl at me. NOTHING WORKS to quiet him down except turning my lamp back on and paying attention. For example right now I am writing this from bed, he is in the living room next door very quiet and behaving. As soon as I turn out the light and lay back down, he will start all over again. I have no idea what started this behavior - there has been no change in the home, there is no fighting or "bad blood" with the other cats. I've paid attention to this over the last few months and I genuinely believe it is JUST attention-seeking. He does not like it when I go to bed and turn out the light.
I am SO frazzled and TIRED of this nonsense. I cannot keep doing this every night, getting little to no sleep, it's like I have a newborn here that needs my attention every hour and I'm starting to feel very sour about having him as a pet. I would never get rid of him or anything like that, I just need some help - how can I try to modify this behavior? I have worked with my cats on other things so I know they can be trained, I am just out of ideas. This one's stubbornness is outside my ability to cope. Thanks for reading and any advice you have!
I am SO frazzled and TIRED of this nonsense. I cannot keep doing this every night, getting little to no sleep, it's like I have a newborn here that needs my attention every hour and I'm starting to feel very sour about having him as a pet. I would never get rid of him or anything like that, I just need some help - how can I try to modify this behavior? I have worked with my cats on other things so I know they can be trained, I am just out of ideas. This one's stubbornness is outside my ability to cope. Thanks for reading and any advice you have!
