How to calm a cat frolicking at night. A simple life hack will pacify him, but people are sure that revenge will come inevitably

Causes of restless behavior

Cats are predators by nature, although they are accustomed to living indoors.
Therefore, for them, a nocturnal lifestyle is quite normal. But for peaceful coexistence with humans, their habitual behavior still has to be adjusted by raising the animal and explaining what exactly it should not do. And first of all, for this it is necessary to find out what the reasons for the animal’s anxiety and excessive activity at night lie. The most common of them are:

1. Lack of activity during the day or taking long naps during the day.
2. Moving, changing the environment and familiar conditions for the animal. First of all, this applies to small kittens that have only recently appeared in the house. They can experience separation from their mother and new living conditions very painfully.
3. Lack of communication. Cats whose owners spend little time with them, or those who often have to be left alone for long periods of time, can attract attention in such an annoying, but quite productive way.
4. Hunger.
5. The pet’s excessively timid nature, which prevents it from being active during the day, especially if there are other animals in the house or guests have come. Accordingly, at night he feels much more confident, which is why his playful behavior is connected.
6. Unfulfilled sexual instinct or, more simply put, a cat on a spree or a cat in heat.
7. The animal’s poor health is known to always worsen at night.

Cat activity

First of all, it is important to know what the habitual behavior of cats is in order to know in what cases their activity can be understood as pathological, and vice versa. To do this, it is important to know that the cat's activities will be related to their age.

This way, as a kitten, it will be easy to watch him play with any object that can be caught, bitten, or beaten. It is not strange for them to run or jump at high speeds, climb to significant heights, or even climb walls. This intense activity is completely normal in a kitten and is a sign of health. It is at this stage that we must lay the foundations of "safe" play, i.e., distract their attention if they intend to play and bite their fingers or catch their foot. It is worth offering an adequate range of toys.

No need to buy complex mechanisms. An aluminum foil ball or wall lantern can provide hours of entertainment. In addition, it is very important to offer a safe environment, given his taste for heights and his ability to hide in the most unexpected and secretive places. Therefore, we must examine our home with "cat's eyes" to eliminate or reduce any danger, for example by using mosquito nets for windows and balconies.

Once the first years of life are over, we will notice that a large number of cats have unbridled activity and hours of play decrease, although this aspect will also depend on the nature of the cat, which will be more or less playful and active.

Towards the end of his life, usually around the age of ten, we will notice that the cat spends almost all of his time sleeping and resting, leaving play reserved for very specific moments. All cats, even older ones, go through, with greater or lesser frequency, what we call the "crazy cat hour", easily recognizable because the cat, suddenly and without the need for real stimulation, assumes an attack posture with stubble hair and walking sideways and jumping.

They usually run away, running in a direction that only they know. After a few minutes of crazy racing, they return to a state of calm, as if nothing had happened. This situation is completely normal and does not cause any cause for alarm due to hyperactivity, so activity, although high, is also not a cause for concern in kittens.

How to calm an aggressive cat?

First of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of the aggression. Aggression is a natural reaction mechanism to danger, real or imaginary. Therefore, to stop aggression it is necessary to make the animal feel safe. A common mistake many cat owners make is trying to pick up an angry animal.

A cat may perceive physical impact as a threat. In this case, a couple of fresh bites or scratches are guaranteed for the unlucky owner. An even worse idea is to try to cover an aggressive cat with a box or towel; scaring it will only make the aggression worse. It’s better to leave the animal alone for a while, ignore it, and let it “go crazy.”

If the cat’s aggression extends to households and interior items, you can lock the pet in an empty room, as free as possible from objects with which the cat can injure itself, or which it can break or spoil. Under no circumstances should you lock your cat in a dark closet, closet or cramped carrier!

Aggression in cats may be a consequence of the manifestation of their masculine, “male” essence. The male asserts his right to territory by attacking “competitors.” If the methods outlined above do not help, then (when it comes to a cat), you can think about a radical solution to the problem - castration. This simple operation, among other things, will protect your home from odorous “marks”.

Why is the kitten aggressive?

There are many reasons for aggression in kittens, just like in human children. And four-legged warriors express it in the only available way: by biting and scratching.

Causes of aggression

If a kitten has crossed the threshold of an unfamiliar house for the first time, you should not immediately squeeze it in. Give your baby time to look around and get used to the new environment. Soon he himself will come to rub against your leg.

Kittens react very violently to their potential prey: birds, fish or rodents. You should not keep them in the same room as a small predator, otherwise you risk one day seeing the cage open, and instead of your favorite canary there are only a few yellow feathers. But even if you are absolutely sure of the strength of the cage, such a proximity is undesirable. “Game” will constantly experience stress, which will significantly shorten its already short life.

A kitten living in an apartment needs to be given an outlet for energy. He must rush around the room, jump on cabinets, swing on curtains, otherwise your hands will suffer. Of course, no one wants to turn their apartment into a gym for a little prankster. But there is also a way out of this situation. Buy a scratching post for your pet, or even better, a gaming set, and let him train until he drops. If he has a convenient observation post right under the ceiling and a secluded place under the bed for a sound afternoon nap, he will be simply happy.

Sometimes kittens react aggressively to unfamiliar smells, and people often do not notice them at all.

And, of course, the kitten will behave aggressively if the touch of someone else’s hand is unpleasant to him or something hurts him. In the first case, warn the guest in advance not to try to pet the kitten (when getting to know the dog, they show much more respect), and in the second, try to show the baby to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

In a dream

The kitten sleeps peacefully on a pillow, purring quietly. Little by little the cooing sounds fade away and the baby falls into a deep sleep. Suddenly his paws, whiskers and tail begin to twitch slightly, and his teeth make a characteristic tapping sound... The kitten dreams of a chase.

There are few owners who have not encountered this phenomenon. Most often, if you gently stroke the baby at this moment, he will open his eyes slightly, purr with relief and fall back into sleep. But there are such temperamental natures who, without opening their eyes, will grab your hand with a death grip. And others can even rush to the owner and bite him - and all this without waking up. Even an adult can suffer significantly from such an unconscious attack. What can we say about small children! Very often, traces of cat aggression remain on the victim’s body for many years, or even a lifetime.

This is why you should not allow your pet to sleep in the owner's bed. Ideally, the kitten should spend the night in a separate room from the first day in the house.

If your pet exhibits this behavior, it is advisable to take him to the vet. Perhaps there are serious reasons for aggression in a dream: acute pain, mental disorders, increased hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. In any case, the kitten will need the help of a specialist.

Health problems or bad upbringing?

It is extremely important to understand whether the pet is simply trying to attract the owner’s attention through its behavior, as any capricious child does, or whether it is sick and really needs help. To do this, most likely, you will have to watch the animal a little.

Cats suffering from poor health usually meow with an unusual intonation. It may sound like a yelp or howl. Such alarming symptoms, for example, loss of appetite, constant restlessness, restlessness, endless attempts to find the most comfortable place for yourself where you can lie quietly, should not be ignored.

Having noticed such changes in behavior in an animal, you should not punish him for the inconvenience caused, but take him for an examination to a veterinarian, who will help determine what exactly is bothering him.

If a cat screams at night from lack of attention, but does not want to play, arrange gatherings in the evening: pet your pet, talk to it. Spend this time usefully: you can comb your cat’s fur coat, clean your cat’s ears in a calm environment, and examine the cat’s skin, eyes and teeth. Having received a portion of affection, having made sure of the strength of the emotional connection, the cat will sweetly doze off until the morning, without trying to test the strength of your relationship with her in the middle of the night.

There are other reasons why a cat yells at night. If the problem is the inability to realize the sexual instinct, only castration/sterilization will help. Sometimes timid cats become active at night; after all, they hide in a secluded place during the day, not wanting to encounter other pets, new family members or frequent guests.

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Stressful situations can also deprive your pet of sleep. How to calm a cat at night if the family has recently moved, a dog has moved into the apartment, the owners have had a baby, or a beloved family member has left for a long time? In this case, you need to surround the cat with care, letting it know that nothing has changed: you are safe and inviolable. After consulting with your doctor, you can use mild sedatives. Time will pass, and the pet will get used to the new conditions.

If all efforts are in vain, you should ask your veterinarian about how to train your cat to sleep at night. In some cases, the cause of insomnia is a chronic illness. Experiencing pain, the cat seeks support - it screams, asks to get under the blanket, but soon gets out of there and again begins to pace around the rooms and scream.

And one last thing. If your pet eats once a day, feeding should be in the evening, a couple of hours before bedtime. If the menu consists of several small portions, it is better to give light food during the day and morning, and meat in the evening feeding. Good night to you!

Signs of aggression in cats

The reaction to stress manifests itself differently in cats; an inexperienced owner may not immediately recognize fear in the animal’s behavior.

When cats behave nervously:

• lick the skin on one side of the body (one paw, one side);
• calm themselves by making loud purring sounds;
• become completely indifferent to their favorite food or become overly gluttonous;
• They begin to gnaw on various objects and chew indoor flowers.

In case of severe fright due to a loud sound or the appearance of a dog, pets:

• they freeze in place, flattening their ears, tucking their paws and tail under them;
• attempt to escape;
• trying to hide in a dark, secluded place.

During an attack of aggression, small predators begin:

• arching the back to look larger, inflating the tail and hair on the body;
• hiss loudly, snort, howl, showing his teeth;
• look closely at the object that causes aggression;
• rhythmically whip the tail over the body, twitch it;
• hit an approaching object with the front paws with claws extended.

If a panic reaction occurs (if the cat was unable to hide or protect itself), the animal experiences:

• copious flow of saliva, similar to foam;
• loud scream, heartbreaking meow;
• involuntary urination.

How to calm a running cat (cat) at night?

Without a doubt, excessive nighttime activity of pets causes their owners a lot of inconvenience, but even in this case, the use of some educational measures should be abandoned. Such undesirable methods include:

• Trying to lock the cat in the bathroom, closet or any other room. It is unlikely that you will be able to train a cat to sleep at night in this way, because the offended animal will only protest louder against its unjust imprisonment.
• Punishing an animal without finding out the reason for its behavior. Some owners splash restless cats with water, try to shout at them, or even throw something at them. But these methods, as a rule, do not give a positive result for more than a few minutes. Having recovered from the shock, the animal often begins to behave even more intolerably.
• The desire to calm the cat by petting or playing with it. The animal will, of course, stop meowing and making noise, but will quickly understand how to get the owner’s attention at any time.

“Cat owners” may encounter certain difficulties when they are forced to decide how to calm their cat at night. It is no secret that cats are nocturnal predators; being active in the dark is natural for them. But since the cat lives with people, it means that she will have to get used to the customs and orders of the human pack.

In order to calm a cat at night, you can use the cyclical nature of predator behavior inherent in instinct. In the wild, predators alternate long periods of rest and accumulation of energy with short periods of explosive release (hunting, attacking, pursuing prey, etc.). Give your pet an evening of active games, let her indulge herself to her heart's content, and the period of activity will naturally be replaced by a period of rest.

How to trim your nails calmly

There is the simplest way to calm a cat before trimming its claws: you need to attach a pair of clothespins (with weak compression force) to the scruff of the neck.

You need to prepare in advance for a long trip by train, car or flight.

This is where psychology comes into play; in childhood, a cat carries a kitten, holding this place with its teeth; if there is compression in the nape area, the animal instinctively calms down and relaxes.

What's the best thing to do?

Obviously, it would be best to approach the problem from two sides - to satisfy the needs of the animal that cause him concern, and to eliminate the gaps in his upbringing, accustoming him to a more acceptable daily routine. The most effective methods in this case are:

1. Change the animal's diet so that dinner is as dense and high-calorie as possible. Having eaten a hearty meal, cats, as a rule, immediately want to lie down to rest. In addition, you can leave a little food in the bowl at night, so that a hungry animal does not have to wake up its owners. It is important to remember that, having resorted to this method, you should slightly reduce the amount of food you eat during the day in order to prevent the development of obesity.
2. Try to pay more attention to your pet, especially before bed, so that he does not feel lonely and anxious. First of all, this applies to situations when the cat’s usual living conditions have changed dramatically, which is why the animal experiences anxiety and is in dire need of the care and attention of its owners.
3. Do not limit, but, on the contrary, encourage in every possible way the animal’s physical activity before bedtime, so that after playing enough, the cat can happily lie down to rest. The game should ideally last at least an hour.
4. To make the cat feel calmer and more confident, you should allow him to walk around the entire territory and make sure that everything is in order and nothing threatens him. After this, it will be much easier for the animal to find a cozy place in the apartment and fall asleep.
5. If restless behavior is associated with the need to realize the instinct of procreation, it is better to consult a veterinarian on this topic.

Why can't they sleep?

Adult cats and cats also live at night. This is laid down by nature - they are careful hunters who go out for prey in the evenings and at night. There may be other reasons:

• The cat is hungry, but the bowl is empty.
• The kitten is sick and attracts the owner's attention to discomfort.
• During the daytime, the cat did not have enough physical activity.
• External interference: for example, a pigeon prevents a cat from sleeping.

It is possible to correct cat behavior if it is not caused by disease. If illnesses and distractions are excluded, you can safely begin making adjustments.

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What not to do

A common situation: a kitten interferes with sleep, and the owner locks him in the bathroom or another room. The animal is lonely, the cat does not understand the reason for such fencing. He starts running around and makes more noise, attracting attention. The owner gets irritated, raises his voice or even throws a slipper at the cat. In this way, it will not be possible to re-educate the kitten; it will only waste both of their nerves.

Some owners use the method of spraying the animal with water. This helps for a while: when water gets on the cat, it licks itself and is distracted. Time passes and the noise begins again. For a cat, such methods will seem offensive.

Other owners feel sorry for the kitten and get up in the middle of the night to calm it down or play with it. Also not an option - the owners also need to get enough sleep. The kitten will get used to this behavior and become spoiled. It is important to stop your cat from playing at night.

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Correcting cat behavior

The cat will rearrange his daily routine if the owner takes it seriously. The first thing you need to do is play with the animal during the day or evening, provide physical activity and exhaust it so that the cat sleeps at night. There are many toys sold for kittens, which are easy for the owner to play with.

The cat needs to be fed heavily in the evening, before bed. With a full stomach, she will stop rushing around the apartment and go to sleep. If your cat disturbs its owners at night because it is hungry, leave a small amount of food in the bowl overnight. This will help stop your cat from disturbing sleep.

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Try feeding your cat raw meat once a week. Digestion will take a long time, and the cat will not be able to play at night. Hunting instincts will also be satisfied. But this method should not be abused, even if the kitten does not allow you to sleep all the time.

If possible, get another kitten. Together they will find something to do without disturbing the owner. It is worth considering that two overly playful cats will make even more noise while they play with each other.

Hyperactive kitten. What to do?

He can offer several options for solving the problem, from taking special homeopathic medications to help the animal go through this period more calmly, to castration or sterilization.

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Having found out why the cat is yelling, you can begin to fix the problem. Although this is not always realistic. So, for example, if you are not ready to sterilize your pet, you will have to endure and wait until his attack of love passes and the cat calms down on its own.

How to calm a cat on the road?

Transporting cats and cats is associated with certain difficulties, especially over long distances. How to calm a cat on the road? It is better to give the animal a sedative in advance (“Cat Bayun”, etc.). If the trip is planned, you can start giving sedatives in small doses in advance, 7-5 days in advance.

On the day of the trip, it is necessary to refrain from heavy feeding, but the cat should not starve. It is recommended to give your cat dry food on the road. Remember that with dry food the animal must receive a large amount of water; it is unacceptable for the cat to be thirsty. The trip will probably go smoothly if the cat feels cozy, comfortable, “and most importantly, dry.” Stock up on disposable diapers that will serve as your pet's bedding and toilet, and don't forget to change them as often as possible.

If, despite all precautions, the cat experiences excessive salivation, vomiting, or diarrhea, the poor thing is most likely susceptible to seasickness. Simply put, the animal got seasick. Gradually accustoming the animal to travel can save you from such a misfortune, but if the road has presented you with a fait accompli, purchase dimenhydrinate, meclicine or diphenhydramine at the pharmacy. These drugs are available without a prescription; your veterinarian will help you determine the correct dosage of the drug.

Mr. Cat explains: when is stress expected?

A visit to the veterinary clinic, going on vacation with the owner, or moving to another place are all situations that can make your cat nervous. To help the animal tolerate them more easily, a little preparation is necessary.

Suitable carrier

To move an animal from one room to another, it is better to purchase a carrier. It must correspond to the size of the animal, the floor is covered with warm material, for example, a blanket. You can also cover the top of the portable cage with either a cloth or, if it is cold, a blanket.

The carrier will ensure the safety of both the pet and the owner. After all, if an animal is in your hands, then, frightened, it can scratch a person, or even worse, break free and run away so that it will be difficult to find.

Medication support

The range of sedatives is very wide; you can buy any without a prescription at a veterinary pharmacy. The most common ones include: Kot-Bayun, Phytex, Stop-stress drops.

If a visit to the veterinarian or a move is planned, then it is very important to start taking medications two to three days before the expected date, since it takes time for the pet to feel the effect of taking them.

Specialized food

Dry food manufacturers have provided a special diet for cats that may find themselves in a stressful situation. In such cases, nutritional therapy begins ten days before the planned event and continues for two months. The best supplements are Kalm (manufactured by Royal Canin) and Urinari Stress (manufactured by Hills).

What not to do.

How to calm a kitten - many cat owners have faced this problem. The main reasons for a kitten’s anxiety are nervousness from the first change of environment in its life, an unusual environment, and separation from its mother cat. Give the kitten as much attention as possible, surround the baby with tenderness and care, and the period of getting used to the new home will be easier for him.

Especially for pitomcy.net – Ira Romaniy

an ideal shadowhunter and a passionate couch potato, a playful bully and a carefree sloth, a wayward touchy-feely and an affectionate fluffy. It is for such a complex, characteristic cocktail that we love them, turning a blind eye to minor inconveniences. And these same qualities lead to the fact that the cat does not sleep at night: in the dark, prey does not see it, it is invisible to potential enemies, but its companions - two-legged family members - are nearby, within reach, and can support at any moment.

The situation gets worse if the cat is inactive during the day. While people are at work, the pet eats and sleeps, anticipating nightly games. In the evening, everyone is busy with household chores and getting ready for bed - the cats are alone again. Well rested during the day, what do cats do at night? Obviously, they are trying to attract attention:

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Since it is impossible to force a cat to sleep at night, owners use a trick. Someone persuades in a gentle voice, someone gets up and tries to catch up with the fleeing hooligan. And someone goes to the bowl and pours food. The cunning girl achieved her goal! They paid attention to her: they played tag, fed her, and talked.

He can offer several options for solving the problem, from taking special homeopathic medications to help the animal go through this period more calmly, to castration or sterilization.

To prevent your cat from disturbing you while you sleep, try following these recommendations:

• Set aside some time to play with your cat during the evening. It is advisable to use toys that sway and twitch, imitating the movements of mice and birds. Cats love to chase and catch ping pong balls, soft balls and fluffy toy mice. Play with your cat until she gets tired - this usually doesn't take too long.

In an emergency

If your pet is in an unexpected situation and is in a state of shock, then it is best to take a few simple but effective steps.

To keep distance

If the animal is in an excited state, then no amount of caresses or persuasion can calm it down.

The best thing in this situation is to allow privacy in your favorite room, box, or carrier. You can pet it later, when it comes to its senses.

Keep calm

Cats are extremely sensitive creatures, and the owner’s nervousness is instantly transmitted to them. Therefore, if the owner is no less afraid of the veterinarian than the pet, then it is better to entrust him to another, calmer family member for a while.

If an animal is stressed for another reason, then seeing and feeling calm on the part of a person, it will calm down faster.

Radiate calm

Another way to restore your cat’s self-control is to use calm and affectionate words addressed to her. Hearing the soothing sounds of a loved one’s voice, she will understand that there is no danger. For those who consider “talking” a stupid idea, it’s time to try your telepathic abilities - you need to instill benevolent intentions.

Exercise caution

No matter how small and weak a cat may seem, nature has endowed it with sharp teeth and claws, which can cause serious injuries not only to its relatives, but also to larger animals and humans. Therefore, if vaccinations and other medical procedures are upcoming, it is better to secure the animal at a time when it is calm in a special bag.

If you have to bathe, which domestic cats fear no less than the doctor, then manufacturers also offer special non-traumatic nets.

In any case, before working with an animal, you need to protect yourself as much as possible from possible injuries.

Switch attention

If a cat is ready to attack, then the best way to avoid a collision with an angry animal is to divert its attention. You can spray water in its direction, for example, from a spray bottle. If it is not at hand, then from any other container.

An object thrown to the side will also divert the attention of the furry aggressor to him, and not to the person, and will give him time to retreat.