Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hello!

Been a long time fan of this forum but am now making an account because I’m needing some advice.

I have two 7 month old kittens that I’ve had since they were 3mo. Mars and Fig are the sweetest and kindest kittens ever and I’m so lucky to have them. The problem is that they won’t let me sleep!

I work from home so I spend all day with them on my lap while they purr away. During the night, I keep my door closed so they don’t come in and lately they’ve been fine with that. They’re now ripping up the carpet in front of the door! I put tape on it and that seems to have deterred them from scratching but I still feel terrible for leaving them out. I’ve read that the scratching is part of seperation anxiety but I spend all day with them!

I would eventually like them to sleep with me but the reason I don’t is that they’re too affectionate. Of course it’s not a problem during the day, but at night Mars likes to climb over me and give me love bites while I’m trying to sleep and I am a very sensitive sleeper.

Is the over affection at night something I should just get over and let them sleep with me? Or should I tough it out and resist in letting them in? Are there any products other than box tape that will stop them from tearing up the floor? I cut their nails frequently but they grow so fast, haha!

Thank you in advance! Hope this post isn’t a mess to read. It’s 12 AM in DC and am crazy for advice on how to help with my cats.

I would try a cheap coir doormat outside the door, as most cats love scratching them - it would also cover any gap under the door, which may make them less aware you are the other side of it

We can't fit one of those mats under our doors, but our 'scratchers' Freddie, Willow and Purdy do like to scratch the rubber-backed non-slip mat by the back door. They are tough, quite cheap and fit under any door. They also come in quite big sizes.

We once had a stray dog for a short while. In his first week he ripped up the lino in the kitchen. We got a large mat for the new lino - that stopped him!

As for sharing the bed and getting a good night's sleep - if you find the answer, let me know! I have 6 cats from Willow who is 15 next week to Fred and Billy who are also 7 months old. Grumpy Grace likes to sleep with her daddy (shoving me out at every opportunity), Bob loves to curl up with his mummy. The real problem is when the very affectionate Fred wants to lie across me and tickle my face with his whiskers. Bob gets jealous, that starts Gracie growling, Bob whacks Grace for growling at him, Fred joins in for the fun of it and we have World War Three breaking out at 2AM.

I am only glad this doesn't happen every night! We can't even shut them out because they have discovered how to open the door.

Billy was also super affectionate but is less so as he matures. Perhaps this may happen with your kitties. Until then, a good mat by the door and ear plugs?

I have to say that when I first got cats I made the decision that they would not be allowed in the bedroom at night and I have never regretted it. 20 years and several cats later, I have managed to keep to the rule, which means I get a good nights sleep without them rampaging around the room at all hours. It has been hard sometimes, normally when one has had to be pts and the remaining one is scratching at the door or calling all around the house, but I have managed to stick it out and things normally settle down again fairly quickly. The cats have the run of the rest of the house and access to outside, they aren't short on places to sleep or things to do.

If you do decide they will stay out of the bedroom at night you have to harden yourself to stick to the rule, they will do everything they can to pull at your heart strings to get their own way, you mustn't give in, every time you do will set it back weeks. Routine is the way to go, let them know what the rules are and stick to them, otherwise they will end up making their rules regardless of what you want.