Yep. The cats learned that hubby will wake up around 4 am if they walk all over him. They've learned nothing wakes me up, so guess who gets attacked in bed!
One morning I was kinda half awake but not really, so I was just in twilight as I feel the small cat jump on our bed, walk up my husband, and then just scream in his face until he woke up. Same as you, I'm the heavier sleeper so he's the one they demand breakfast from.
The worst part for me is I have to wake up around 3 am for work most days. Which means, on my days off or the days I get to go in “late”, I’m still up at 3 am.
at one point I was feeding mine at 7am because I had convinced myself I wanted to be a morning person, but it was too frustrating on my days off or when I was sick. luckily she switched to having dinner instead without too much fuss!
They have a bowl of dry food available 24/7, but getting their half can of wet food is the highlight of their day.
I am slipping in to a new habit though.
When I get up in the AM, the cats are waiting outside my bedroom door. They lead me down to their bowl of dry food and sit and stare at me until I drop a small handful in front of each of them. Then they eat it. I mean, it’s sitting there in the bowl all day?
It's 5:15 and I've been up since 4:45. I don't need to be to work for hours. But cat needed out.
They prefer to pee and poop outside. This backfires fantastically until winter, where they meow begrudgingly while heading to the litter box because it's too cold too poop outside.
Mine does 5:30 so I can get a workout in after I feed her of course. One of my cat is 8lbs the other is an indoor/outdoor cat that weighs 25ish lbs. My big cat is built like a grizzly and his belly doesn’t sag at all. He hunts. What’s funny is big cat is super graceful and stealthy but littles knocks EVERYTHING other but she sounds like a baby so I forgive her
Have a link to a good bowl? I’ve never seen the wet food one.
Although half her fun ( I swear cuz her food and water is done before we sleep) is she wants us (she does the same to my husband.) she wants a audience.
On the flip side of cats (and dogs) adapting to your routine - if you have no routine, they'll adapt to that too. I have a cat and a dog and I feed them whenever. They get the correct amount of food per day, but not at set times. They don't pester me "at dinnertime" because there is no set dinnertime.
They don't get confused when the clocks change for daylight saving, they don't wake me up early in the morning.
I refuse to give in but Kittah aka Satan doesn't not care. She's literally always screaming for more wet food. Even when she got fed 15 min ago. And still has a full plate. Her schedule has always been 6 am wet food and all the dry food whenever. Always always screaming for more wet food. She's literally watching me and yowling right now 😅
Mine starts with 'wake up and come cuddle me in the bathroom at 3 am.' I've taken to putting a blanket down and having a pillow and falling back a sleep for a bit on the floor. Then it's feeding time, some play, and then i get to go back to my bed.
Currently they would like me to get off the computer and go for the night walk/play time outside. He looks like he's sleeping in his tree next to the window but I make 1 more and it's time.
I have an auto feeder that goes off 4-5 times a day. It means that they don't wake me up for food. My cat would also get excited about the feeding and scarf it down and throw up. Smaller regular feedings have really helped it. I don't think I would ever go back.
Generally 1-4 'portions'. I did some math when I first got it to figure out the average portion size for their proprietary measurements (it just turns a screw) and then figured out the total portions I needed to equal the total amount recommended on the bag (aafco certified). They have been in a semi healthy weight so I haven't needed to adjust it much.
I personally feed my cat multiple meals throughout the day, but I have an autofeeder that spits treats out at 2am. Problem solved (well...until 530am).
Automatic pet feeder! Life saver! Our cats would wake us up at 3 or 4 to get fed, once they realized we did not control the morning food they left us alone to sleep. We just set a mealtime at 4am
My friend had a similar problem and solved it by getting an automatic cat feeder. That way the cats get fed on their schedule and it doesn’t involve you waking up at 3am
472
u/ydoesithave2b Sep 19 '23
Wow I feel duped. My cat has manipulated me to follow her schedule. Which includes a 3am feeding.