Bedtime Dinner

As seasoned pet parents can tell you, if you get up and feed your cat during the middle of the night once, she'll expect you to do it every single night. Don't do it. If you've already started feeding your cat at 2 a.m. to keep her quiet, don't despair–you can phase it out of her routine over time.

One way to do this is to give your cat dinner close to bedtime, preferably before your rigorous pre-bed playdate. To avoid overfeeding your cat, be sure to portion out her meals appropriately during the day. Follow the directions provided on her cat food package, and if you have questions about your cat's feeding schedule and behavior, ask a veterinarian.

Ignorance Is Bliss

Have you ever closed your bedroom door in hopes your feline friend would seek other ways to burn off her midnight energy? If so, you've already discovered that cats view a closed door as a challenge and will bang against it until it opens. (A note to new pet parents: Cats don't give up. They will spend hours trying to open that door.) Cats that are especially determined will run at full speed and hurl themselves at the door.

You may be tempted to command your furry companion to go away, but resistance is futile. For a cat, any attention is good attention. Any reaction from you means that you're ready to play. And never, ever discipline your baby for her nocturnal cat behavior. She's just doing what comes naturally. Your best bet is to ignore your cat completely. It's not easy, but eventually, she'll saunter off for other entertainment.

It may take a few nights before your kitty realizes you won't react to her nighttime demands. With patience and dedication, you and your fur baby can look forward to restful nights, and you both will have more energy to play during the day!

Image source: Flickr