It is one of the goals that many humans who live with these furry ones want to achieve at all costs. But although it seems like an impossible task, it is not so much. With patience, prizes and a lot of love, anything is possible.
If you are also wondering how to teach my cat to sleep in his bed, put into practice the advice that I am going to give you. You'll see how it is only a matter of time before your partner learns where to sleep.
Establish schedules and maintain habits from the beginning
From the first day that the animal becomes part of the family, it is necessary to establish schedules and habits. Cats, although known for their independence, are creatures of habit, and this plays in your favor. So, my first piece of advice is to try to keep your cat active during the day, always respecting their naps. Cats need to burn energy, if they don't, they are likely to remain more active at night, when we don't want them in our bed.
Some recommended daytime activities include playing with feathers or toys that simulate prey, as well as spending time exploring. Playing with your cat will not only prevent nighttime problems, but you will also improve your bond and strengthen your relationship. You should take advantage of these moments of daytime activity to ensure that your cat burns off pent-up energy.
A space of your own to rest
Once it's time to sleep, it's crucial that your cat understands that he has his own designated space. The resting place should always be the sameThis is essential for the cat to associate that space with its sleeping time.
While it is tempting to let your cat sleep with you in your bed, breaking the habit will be very difficult later on. As an initial recommendation, you should keep the bedroom door closed when your cat is going to sleep. First, place your cat in his bed, give him a treat and make sure he is comfortable. This process should be repeated for at least a week or more, depending on your cat's character.
The habituation process: don't give in to meows
Once you've decided that your cat should sleep in his bed, not yours, it's important not to give in to his meowing. Cats are very persistent, and if you allow them into your bed just once, all your previous efforts will have been in vain.
Although it may be difficult, especially at first, you must stick to your decision so that the animal does not get confused. Sometimes, the cat is just looking for attention or to reaffirm its space in the house, but don't worry, in a short time it will understand where its place is and will respect it.
Factors to consider when choosing your cat's bed
The choice of the bed and where you place it is essential:
- Material: It should be comfortable and, preferably, easy to wash.
- Size: Make sure the bed is large enough for your cat to stretch out fully or curl up in.
- High jump: Cats like to be in high places to feel protected. If you notice that your cat prefers high places, you can opt for an elevated bed or place it on a higher surface, such as a shelf or low piece of furniture.
- Location: Avoid places with a lot of traffic or noise. The cat needs a quiet environment to feel comfortable.
Positive reinforcement and rewards
Cat training is often more effective when using the positive reinforcement. Right after your cat uses his bed, reinforce the behavior with a treat or soft words, this will help the behavior become associated as something beneficial.
Some people also place familiar objects, such as a small blanket or piece of clothing with the owner's scent on it, on the cat's bed, which can help the cat feel more secure and encourage it to use.
Play during the day to encourage fatigue at night
One of the main reasons why cats can be restless at night is because they have too much pent-up energy. To prevent this, play is the perfect tool. If you manage to get your cat tired during the day, it will be easier for him to want to sleep in his bed at night.
Choose interactive toys, such as scratching posts or feather toys, and set aside time for play sessions spread throughout the day. Not only will this exercise help to release energy, but it will also prevents behavioral problems which are usually aggravated by the boredom or lack of physical activity.
Solution to nocturnal meowing
Constant meowing can be frustrating for owners who want uninterrupted sleep. Cats tend to meow during the night due to a desire for attention or hunger. To solve this problem, make sure your cat has food and water available before bedtime.
If your cat continues to meow, you should evaluate whether he is simply demanding attention. If so, it is best not to give in. Not interacting with him could reduce the meowing. over time, as the cat will learn that this behavior does not benefit it.
Patience and consistency
Training a cat to sleep in its own bed is not something that happens overnight. Cats, although intelligent, require time and repetition to adopt certain behaviors. The key to success is consistency. consistency in routines and patience. Don't expect immediate results, but don't let the process frustrate you either.
If things aren't going as you expect, you can look to see if there are any external factors affecting your cat's routine, such as the location of the bed or a lack of activity during the day. Adjusting these elements can make all the difference.
The ultimate goal is for your cat to identify his bed as his safe and comfortable place to rest, which will translate into better quality sleep for both him and you. Your effort and dedication to teaching your cat to sleep in his own bed will pay off. Remember, patience always brings good results when it comes to cats!
Hello, I just have one night with my kitten and I went to sleep in the living room because I do not want him to sleep in my room, what I am afraid is that to express his discomfort he will urinate on the carpet? What should I do?
Hi Alejandra.
I recommend that you leave him a litter tray, as far away from his bed as possible. This way, you won't urinate on carpets or furniture 🙂.
A greeting.
Hello, my kitten is six months old and only until today I made her bed to make her independent, how do I use her bed?
Hello!! Thanks for the advice, I have a 21-year-old kitten who has her bed outside the house with her bed and she adored it, for some time now she does not want to be there and no matter how much I put her on, she does not want to, I already washed the house , his bed and even with this, he does not want to, is it the age? Who already has old lady ideas 🙂? Greetings!!
Hello Rocio.
Gee, 21 years already ... 🙂
Yes, at that age you probably don't like being there.
Greetings, and continue to pamper her.
Hello good Morning,
My kitten is 7 months old but I don't want her to sleep in my bed anymore but it breaks my soul to leave her out because she cries a lot, I don't know what to do.
Hello Gabriela.
The best way to teach him not to sleep in your bed is by lowering it every time he gets in, and keeping the door closed to prevent him from coming in when you are not there.
You have to be very patient, but eventually you will learn it over time.
Much encouragement.
Hello!!! I'm in trouble, I've been sleeping badly for five days .. My kitten is almost four months old, I adopted her a month and a half ago, until recently she was quite an idyll, the ideal pet, affectionate but with some autonomy (she went to her little stones alone the first day, she sometimes played with me but she also liked to play alone, she slept alone in the living room and was not listened to all night) when I adopted her I did not work and we had our schedules, we said goodbye before going to sleep and in the morning we we greeted, everything was perfect !! From now on I clarify that I did not let him go up to bed even during the day, if he went up he would go down, and just in case the door to the room was always closed. Then we went to the mountains for ten days, from now on I clarify that I brought all her things so that she has the smell of her usual objects and the trip did not seem to stress her ... the cabin was a studio apartment so there was no door that separates us, the first Two nights I tried to make her sleep in her bed and there was no case, my husband unfortunately insisted that because it was a vacation I let her sleep with us ... However, when I returned, I put her back in the living room and she did not complain at all, we slept igaul That before without problems, after three days I started working although not full time and she seemed that the change did not affect her at all. But on the third night he started meowing early and then getting louder and more times, now he meows at any time of the night and stands guard at the bedroom door, if we get up to go to the bathroom he jumps on the bed! She won't let us sleep… the first few days I ignored her so as not to give her room for her to create bad habits, but the truth is that she is very insistent. My vet told me that it could be a precocious heat and it made me worry a lot, but I already realized that what he wants is to sleep with me (whether my husband is there or not he does not care). He has half an obsession with me, he wants me to be on him all the time, cats are supposed to be independent but she is not interested in food if it is not accompanied! Please help
Hello Mariela.
From what you count, it seems that your cat has the heat. The desperate meow and at night, the cats do to try to call a cat. But also, the fact that she has become more loving and dependent is proof that she has reached sexual maturity.
To solve the problem, my advice is that you take her to castrate. This will stop the meowing, and it will become much calmer.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, thank you very much for your answer. I called his go and he asked me the same thing, although I have my doubts, since he must not have more than two kilos, I also tell you that I am from Argentina, from Buenos Aires, and these days there were some days of cool weather that are not usual in February around here, at night I felt her ears and legs cold so maybe she is looking for warmth ... anyway I do not rule out your suggestion, today I am going to take her to review. Hug!
Hello, my cat is pregnant and I bought her a bed to have her babies but she does not like the bed
Hi Crystal.
It usually happens 🙂. The mother cat will look for the best place to have her little ones, and often it is not exactly the place that we have chosen for her to stop. Leave it close. Kittens are sure to end up using it.
A greeting.
Hello, today I adopted a 5-month-old cat, the problem is that she does not want to sleep in her bed, she wants to be on top of mine at all costs. And I can't leave her out of the room because she is scared by dogs (they don't do anything, I've had cats before and they get along) I don't know what to do
Hi John.
Congratulations on the new member of the family.
The first thing to do is that the cat loses its fear of dogs, and for that it is important that they spend a lot of time together with you present, since it is with you that they feel safe.
To do this, play with them and give them treats from time to time so that they all get used to the presence of others.
Little by little you will see that the cat calms down.
You can buy Feliway, which is a product that helps cats overcome stress.
If you don't want him to sleep in your bed, you can buy a folding cat playpen and put his bed there.
A greeting.
Hi! I adopted a 1 and a half month old kitten and the first night I let her sleep with me because she felt scared in her new home, now I can't get her out of bed! Sometimes he pees on the pillow, I don't know what to do
Hi Agostina.
I recommend keeping it in a room with your bedroom door closed at night. In this room you should put a litter box with sand so that he can relieve himself there.
You need to spend time with her in her new room. Play, pamper, etc. In this way, you will soon get used to being in it.
A greeting.
Good morning thanks for the article. I have a cat that is almost 5 months old. She got used to sleeping in my bed the first few days but due to an allergy I have to take her out and I can't get her to sleep in her bed. My question is whether once he gets used to sleeping with the bedroom door closed and in his own bed I can go back to sleep with the door open and his bed in my room. Will he keep climbing into bed or has he already gotten used to hers?
Thanks and regards
Hello Gabriela.
Well, it will depend on the cat herself 🙂. In principle, I would tell you that once he gets used to sleeping in his bed, he will sleep in it even if he happens to sleep in your room, but this cannot be known until it is proven.
A greeting.
Hi! I have a kitten that is almost 3 months old, she has only been at home for a week, and although during the day (I work full time, and she sleeps and plays alone, she does not destroy) nor does she come close to my room, at night she sleeps With me inside the bed, I put her down and closed the door on her, but not for long because I ended up feeling sorry for the meows. Obviously he does not like his bed, he uses it to play for a while and nothing else. I want to get her used to a new one but I don't want her to suffer or generate any rejection towards me for not allowing her to sleep with me.
Thank you very much!