Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm having a problem with my cat that I hope someone can help me with. He's a 3 year old neutered indoor-only male, that I have had for a little over 2 years. In this time, he has kept me awake almost every night. He does everything in his power to wake me up, from jumping on me, my head, my furniture, knocking things over and causing general havoc. He'll get into things, even resorting to eating plastic or 'running' on my vanity mirror. If I put him outside of my room and close the door, he howls continuously until I let him in. This is a complete role reversal from the way he is during the day, as he's a complete angel. I've tried everything I can think of, from spraying him with water (he enjoys it), keeping him active during the day, providing toys, playing with him before bed and feeding him late: nothing seems to work. The oddity in this whole thing is that when he spent 4 months at my parents' house with me, he did not act up one single night. However, my parents have 3 other cats. Therefore, I'm beginning to consider getting another cat as a companion for this little guy. However, I would like to do this a.)only if it would possibly work and b.) if there are no other options. Does anyone have any suggestions to this exhausted student?
Thanks a bunch!

Unfortunately with cats there are no guarantees to anything. It could be that your cat felt like he was not the dominant cat at your parents' and so he was quiet. If you were to adopt another cat, he might decide to be in the dominant role and be just as noisy. On the other hand, it could work just because he'd have someone to play with - if you could stand the noise of playing!

Have you tried a shake-can? This is a soda can with a few pennies in it that you shake when he starts to bother you at night. Often that noise is enough to discourage a cat. If you live in an apartment this next hint will not work...however there are these canned boat horn things that make a very LOUD noise when you push on the button. This could be another option if you have excellent soundproofing or live in a house. Naturally if you have another human sleeping with you making noise to discourage the problem might not be an option, but if you are alone or have a very tolerant spouse, try the shake can.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!