Help! Kitty at night

Hi there,

We have an 18 month old cat who in most respects is lovely, coming for cuddles and attention through out the day. However every morning at around 4am, as I'm sure most cat owners will experience, he begins scratching persistently on the door to the extent that he can pull it open slightly (but not fully) so that it continuously bangs shut. We have tried reinforcing the door, tried the sticky tape around the door frame, tried ignoring but nothing works.

I could never rehome him as he is much loved but me and my partner cannot keep being kept awake daily from 4am. We would let him sleep in the bedroom but as it's carpeted he just starts scratching that for hours, therefore keeping us awake anyway.

I feel bad because he's not doing it to be fed as that doesn't deter him, he seems to have attachment issues and just wants to be with us. I have thought of a few solutions but feel uneasy about them so wanted some input. One of these options was to cage him in a large dog crate for a couple of hours (pop him in there when he starts to scratch just for an hour and a half until we get up anyway). I don't like this idea but wondered if it would be ok just for a short amount of time- he usually has the run of the house. Alternatively we could try and shut him in the bathroom but it is a windowless room that he never goes in as he doesn't seem to like it. Or we could just carry on and start spraying him with a water bottle every time he scratches and see if this deters him in the long run? (I would feel so mean doing this).

If anyone could help that would be great!

It's no fun missing sleep.  

I have a screen door between my kitchen and back room.  The cats banged the door so hard that the soffit on the door frame came loose!   Cats can make an amazing racket when they want something!

Is there any way you can put a hook and eye door latch on the inside?  One like this:


If you can't, you might be able try the automatic compressed air spray.  The one I have seen is called Ssscat.  When it detects motion, it lets out a hiss of compressed air.  Cats don't like it, and it keeps them away.  Maybe if you put it near the door hinge and pointed it towards the where the door opens?  You might need to experiment around on placement.

I hope you get this solved.  I can see how difficult it would be to sleep with a door constantly banging!

Have you tried putting scratching posts in your bedroom and getting him to use those when he's in there - it seems if you can retrain him to not scratch the carpet, then there's no issue letting him in your bedroom? Just as an alternative solution.