4 Tricks to Train Your Cat to Sleep at Night

Cats sleep up to 20 hours a day, but not getting enough sleep is a common complaint from their owners. In the wild, cats are nocturnal predators. They sleep during the day, but their active life begins at night. So what can you do if your owner is sleepy and doesn't feel like playing? There are several ways to train your cat to sleep at your own pace.

Show your cat that you are going to bed.

Cats enjoy living on a stable schedule, with the same actions repeated day after day. They remember the results of certain events and actions. For example, when your owner finishes dinner and gets up from the table, the cat understands that it's time to feed. You can also use this to signal your bedtime to your cat. Remember the actions you always take before bed and repeat them every night. For example, your ritual might be: turn off the TV, open the window, brush your teeth, turn off the lights. The cat will see how your regular actions lead to one result—sleep—and will adapt to your routine.

Be sure to feed your cat at night.

Check what time you feed your cat. It's possible that they're waking you up because they're hungry. Cats are recommended to be fed 3-4 times a day, 6-8 hours apart. To ensure your cat gets the required amount of sleep and doesn't wake up hungry, feed them before you go to bed.

An automatic feeder will also be useful. It will eliminate the hassle of morning feeding, as it's more pleasant to curl up in bed on a weekend than to rush to the kitchen to feed a hungry cat. Automatic feeders can dispense food at a specific time, and your pet will hang around the feeder, not your bed, while waiting for breakfast.

Entertain your pet during the day

Cats need somewhere to expend their energy. If a cat sleeps all day without finding anything to do, by the time their owner returns from work, they'll be full of energy and eager to jump and play. Therefore, it's important to provide your pet with opportunities to play during the day.

• Leave some toys for your pet. You can buy them at a pet store or make them yourself. Lightweight toys that are fun to chase around the floor are good choices. They can be rustling or have ribbons attached. Cats also enjoy toys stuffed with catnip. Remember to change the toys regularly so your cat doesn't get bored with them.
• Interactive toys take cat entertainment to a new level. They can move independently and will keep your pet occupied for hours. Before leaving your cat alone with such a toy, read the instructions and make sure it's safe.
• If there's a tree near your window, you can hang a bird feeder on it. Your cat will watch the birds fly in. Just don't place the feeder too close to the window to prevent the birds from hitting the glass.
• If possible, you can leave videos playing on the TV screen for your cat. The TV should be positioned so the cat can see it. For example, videos of flying birds will attract her attention, and she'll try to catch them.

Play with your cat before bed to tire it out. Cats tire quickly: 10-20 minutes of active play is enough for them to lose interest in toys and want to rest.

Provide your pet with a sleeping place

Cats don't sleep for eight hours straight; they'll inevitably have at least short periods of wakefulness during that time. Therefore, it's best to arrange a sleeping area for your cat outside of your bedroom. This way, your pet won't wake you with its play, and you won't wake it by tossing and turning.

If your cat has its own, familiar resting place, it won't have to come to you in the middle of the night. To help your cat feel territorial, place all of its belongings (bed, toys, food and water bowls) within easy reach of each other. You can also place extra pillows and bedding in hidden corners of the apartment so your pet can choose a suitable sleeping spot for the day. A pillow in the middle of the room is probably not suitable: cats need to feel secure while sleeping, which is impossible in an open space.

If you follow these tips, you'll soon be getting a good night's sleep, and your cat will be a little happier, as she'll have a clear daily routine, toys, and her own secluded corners that she'll consider her own territory.