There you are, blissfully sleeping away when suddenly a cat pounces on your stomach. Or, you are awakened to loud scratching or banging noises. What can you do to get your kitty to let you sleep?

Felines want you to get up because they are bored and want attention or are hungry. Also, their sleep habits are different then humans. Cats are hardwired to be up at dawn since this is prime hunting time in the wild.

For the hungry cat, try giving extra food for the last meal of the day to see if that holds your cat over until you want to get up. Also, don’t feed your cat first thing in the morning so they don’t associate getting you up with food arriving in their bowl.

The last thing that you want to do is get up and play or feed them. This just reinforces that waking you up is a good thing to do. In fact, you need to igrnore the cat. Even a negative response like scolding them may perpetuate the behavior since at least they are getting some attention.

Keep the toys, scratching post, cat bed, etc., out of your bedroom. Granted, your pet can bring toys with them, but don’t let the animal think of your room as a playroom or their bedroom.. If the scratching toy or other loud, stationary toy is on the other side of your house, kitty won’t be able to use that tactic to wake you up.

You might also get the cat a playmate. Another cat or even some dogs can provide entertainment so kitty is not completely relying on you for fun and mental stimulation.

When your feline wakes you up, remember that this is normal kitty behavior. Using the tips above can help you get more sleep.

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Scratching is normal cat behavior and is not meant to upset you. Felines aren’t discerning about what to scratch. The tree trunk in your backyard works just as well as your antique coffee table leg. What can you do about the scratching?

Some people will immediately think of declawing, but this can be painful to your pet in addition to being expensive
Cats scratch for more reasons than just to sharpen their claws. It can be part of their play or a stress reliever. A scratching post can be a great solution.

Scratching posts come in various shapes and sizes, and you may have to experiment with several to find one that your cat likes. Since some felines like to wrestle with these posts, you will want to make sure it is securely fastened. If the post tips over, the cat may get scared and refuse to use it. Or, he or she may decide that your furniture is more appealing.

Place the scratching post in a location where there is privacy so your cat can stalk the post as pretend prey. When the scratching post gets worn, put a new post beside the old one until your kitty starts to use the new one.

Is your cat still favoring a piece of furniture over the post? Try using cat repellent or putting a strong room deodorizer in the area to make it less appealing.

You don’t have to equate having a pet cat with shredded furniture. Get your kitty a nice scratching post to provide hours of entertainment.

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Does your cat constantly make messes when fed? Have you tried dish after dish trying vain to find one that the food will stay inside? Learn why your cat plays with food and how to stop the behavior.

In the wild, cats must spend lots of time stalking and chasing their prey. Once they catch that mouse, they let it go only to chase it down again. Your kitty enjoys playing with food, carrying it around the house, and coming back to it later to play with it some more. A pile of food in a dish just does not compare to this experience.

One way to make food more interesting to your cat is to use the cat toys that allow you to put snacks inside. Then, scatter these toys around the house so your cat can discover the treat. The rolling toys also allow your cat to chase and stalk the toy before eating the food. Be sure to use dry foods so that the food does not spoil inside the toy.

When looking for a food bowl, choose one with somewhat deep sides to help avoid some of the scattering. Automatic feeders, while convenient, may result in a huge mess if your kitty decides to play in the food since they can dispense more of it to spread around your house.

Be sure to play with your cat daily since a bored kitty is more likely to make messes. Also, you might try feeding kitty at designated times under your supervision rather than leaving food out all day.

Since playing with food is a cat instinct, you may not be able to entirely stop the behavior. Using the tips above can help to reduce the mess.

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Is your cat not using the litter box regularly? While many will refuse to use a dirty box, what if your’s is cleaned daily? Find out other reasons why kitties may not use their designated elimination spot.

Cats are particular about the litter used. If you have recently switched brands, try changing back. Otherwise, you might try using different type since kitties can have sensitive feet and may not like the feel of some litters. The scents of some litters can also be an issue.

Make sure that your cat associates pleasantness with the litter box. Don’t toss your pet into it as punishment for not using it or yell at him or her while they are in the container.

Cats like privacy while they are toileting. Put the litter box out of high traffic areas, away from windows where another cat may be looking in, and preferably not in the laundry room where a washer or dryer could make a loud sound that would scare your kitty.

If your cat insists upon using the bathroom in a particular location, put another litter box there if possible. Often, the kitty will start using the box instead of the carpet if one is available where they have decided to eliminate.

Cats can be very territorial about litter boxes and might be prevent another cat from using the favorite box. If you have more than one feline, you need at least one litter box per cat plus one extra.

Be sure that the size of the litter box fits your cat. You don’t want a small kitten having to climb to get in, nor do you want a large kitty in a small covered box that they can’t turn around in.

Hopefully, one of the above tips will get your cat using the litter box again instead of your flooring. If not, a visit to the vet is in order since some medical conditions can lead to inappropriate elimination.

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Did you ever wonder where catnip comes from? It’s actually a plant in the mint family. For many cats, a little bit can make them act as if they’ve had several margaritas. Others seem to be oblivious to the plant.

Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which causes reactions in many kitties. While humans cannot smell it, your feline definitely can.

Many kitties will stop to sniff and give a little lick to any catnip they find. Some will chew on the leaves. Others just love to roll around until they are covered in it.

If your pet is going to react to catnip, it won’t take long after exposing them to it Your kitty may start leaping about the room, wiggling excessively, or seem to go crazy. Unfortunately, some cats have bad reactions to catnip such as getting aggressive. If this describes your pet, then you should keep the substance out of your home to avoid injuries. Young kittens tend not to react to the plant and should not have any. Older cats are also less sensitive to it.

You can buy catnip wherever pet supplies are sold either in dried leaf form or in an essential oil. Catnip toys are also available, but these do lose their potency over time. Be sure to replace these toys regularly if you want your kitty to continue to have the catnip experience.

Catnip can be a great treat for cats that react nicely to it and that are not too young or old to enjoy it.

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