Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   My neighbour gave me a 2 month old kitten from his litter. It came with first set of shots and he's due for his next one in a month. It has been a hectic week with the kitty, Simba, and so far I'm sleepless, tired and loving every Single moment. However his sleep patterns is definitely affecting me since I get up every 6am and he gets tired(of meowing) at around 2am--I can't leave the poory kitten all alone because his cries at night really gets to me emotionally. I gave him a brand new 15$ cat bed and he still insists on sleeping on my lap and my bed. You guys must understand that I need my sleep too because days in the clinic are getting more strenous due to the H1N1 scare. Do you cat owners (seasoned veterans or newbiea) have any advice on how to train simba to sleep on his own?

   Tl;dr
   how do I make my 2 month old kitten sleep alone?

   Posted 2 years ago by Lazycat #

2. 

   he's going to sleep where he chooses, but you can help him. take a man's big hunting sock and stuff it full of things with your scent on them - unwashed socks, pillowcase, underwear, etc. and give it to him. you've just made a "sock mommy" for him, and he should sleep better. also play at night with him for a long time just before bed to tire him out. both these things will help the both of you get your night's sleep...

   Posted 2 years ago by CSBM #

3. 

   Thanks for the reply Cheri. Your "sock mommy" idea is quite interesting and I will have to try that one tonight.

   Posted 2 years ago by Lazycat #

4. 

   someone on this group just told us about the sock mommy they made. i am happy to relay the information.

   Posted 2 years ago by CSBM #

5. 

   Laser pointers are great for tiring kitties out, just remember not to shine it in his eyes by mistake. An old unwashed sweater of yours might also be a good thing to put in his bed (or where he likes to sleep) but the sock mummy is a great idea.

   We would love to see pix!

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

6. 

   Simba is pretty persistent... Right now he's outside my bedroom door begging to be played with. I made that sock mommy and he's quite indifferent about it, perhaps when I'm asleep he'll cuddle with it.

   Here is the only pic I have of him: http://yfrog.com/05d55oj this was taken 3 days ago.

   P.S.
   He's crying outside my door as I am writing this, I know if I open the door I'm only gonna teach him to meow to get what he wants.

   Posted 2 years ago by Lazycat #

7. 

   OMG, he is ADORABLE! What a great pic!

   Can't really offer any advice because our 2 cats sleep on the bed with us, at least part of the time. We have a 4 month old female kitten and and a 1 year old male. They both adjusted to our sleep patterns within a week or two. Once in a while they'll stay up and play, and then come to bed later but most of the time they don't keep us awake. They get up when we get up and then start screaming for food. ;)

   Posted 2 years ago by Beth_in_NJ #

8. 

   Hah thanks. I'm thinking the best way to resolve this is if I make an effort into changing their sleep patterns.

   Posted 2 years ago by Lazycat #

9. 

   LC, what exactly is happening with Simba? Is he mewing until 2am because you're leaving him outside your room, with the bedroom door closed, from when you go to bed? Why don't you want him to sleep on your bed (bearing in mind that you might get more sleep if he does?) He might actually be mewing that he wants to be with you, rather than to keep playing.

   And if he does want to play, perhaps a session with the laser pointer on the bed might tucker him out so he goes to sleep...

   He's just like a human baby, really, except that unlike a human baby, he is used to sleeping in a huddle with his mum and his siblings. He is missing them dreadfully and now that you are his mum, he wants to sleep with you (and will, until he grows up a bit and maybe will always want to). I would think you might have more luck adjusting his sleep patterns to yours if you let him sleep on your bed. Or could you put the unwashed sweater in his bed, then put his bed on your bed, somewhere where you can stretch out a hand to him and gently pet him till he falls asleep?

   I'm afraid it is a kitty characteristic to hate closed doors.... especially if meowmy is on the other side. He does look totally adorable!

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

10. 

    Hmm.. That could be it Jcat. What if he wants to wake up and play in the middle of the night? What if roll on him by accident?

    Posted 2 years ago by Lazycat #

11. 

    As KW on this site said once, there has never yet been a case of a TDKer rolling over in the middle of the night and accidentally squashing a cat to death. They have a pretty good instinct for self-preservation. However, I have been known to place tiny crying kittens (well, one) by my head on the pillow, as the safer option. Kitty liked that because heads are nice and warm and the pillow was soft and he could play with my hair when he got bored.

    He may well want to wake up and play in the middle of the night. Bed mice (toes) are a favourite toy. But chances are he'll eventually realise hoomins are very boring and dopey in the middle of the night and adjust to your schedule. Up side for you is, even if he does want to play, you don't have to get out of bed... Good luck!

    Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

12. 

    Hrm you won't squish him..my kitties growing up have always slept with me and they are usually fine..once in while I have kicked them by accident because they have move to the foot of the bed but they are pretty good about learning about your sleep habits and picking a good spot.

    Right now Sophie sleeps on my pillow above my head..between teh pillow and the headboard to avoid my tossy and turny ways

    Posted 2 years ago by iliketea #

13. 

    I have 2 cats and they both sleep with me. The 8 week old female sleeps on my pillow behind my head. And the 7month old male sleeps at my feet. I've let them sleep with me since I got them and now they sleep on my schedule. Once I turn out the lights, they hop onto the bed and lay down. They wake up before I do, but for the most part they stay quiet. I'm sure if you let Simba stay in your room with you, he will eventually follow your sleeping pattern. Good Luck!!

    Posted 2 years ago by Jackie #

14. 

    Oh by the way, Don't worry about squishing them. I used to be worried about it but they have ways of maneuvering themselves around and not be crushed. My cats have realized where they should sleep if they plan on sleeping on the bed without being rolled on top of.

    Posted 2 years ago by Jackie #

15. 

    No one has ever reported a squished cat in the bed. Mine sleep with me, but do get up during the night to run around with each other. Perhaps you can get a playmate from the litter? He would be used to his sibling. As for going to bed on time, if I fall asleep in the recliner, Sheba will wake me and meow as if saying "Time for bed, Ma!"

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

16. 

    LC, here is how I trained my Gracie. Every night when it was time for bed I would sit up in bed and put a pillow on my lap. Hubby would hand me gracie and put her on the pillow. We would have a good 10 or 15 minutes of cuddling, belly rubs, foot rubs and general petting. Then I would put her onto the bed and lights out. Cats recognize patterns of behavior and it did not take her long to adapt to this pattern and go to sleep at the foot of the bed. She helped train the other two cats. They come in after Gracie has had her cuddles and also sleep at the foot of the bed. They get their cuddles in the morning. Everyone gets their own special time. At about 5 or so in the morning, Thierry moves from the foot of the bed and perches on my hip until it is time to get up and get petted. Emma cuddles up to her daddy.

    Posted 2 years ago by KYKAT 12 23 #

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