Need sleep - buy a cat cage !!!

[Susan]

My cats Tasha & Sparky used to wake me up in the early hours of each morning and I was becoming exhausted then I found my solution...... a large dog cage with a lockable door.....

The cage has a choice of beds, a cat cube with a Whiskas bed on top and a padded lounger at the front.

Every night the cats are told it's bedtime and get up from wherever they are lounging and walk to their cat cage and choose their bed for the night ...... then I go to bed and sleep !!!

They are always pleased to see me in the morning and will often go in the cage at other times to sleep in peace so I know that feel quite comfortable there.

If you are getting woken up give this a try .

[Roberta]

http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/cats/talkativecat.pdf

Dawn,
Here's an article from the Best Friends sanctuary on vocalization in cats. And I googled "excessive vocalization in cats" - and saw a ton of articles.
Roberta

[Dawn Robuck]

Just a quick update - lost my computer harddrive this weekend so lost some ground in replying here. The book that you recommended (Roberta) is in at the library so will get that today. I have my fingers crossed it will give us the insight we need. In the meantime for the past five days we have been practicing "ignoring". It helps that at least the one neighbor we are friendly with upstairs says he never hears her. Her meowing has escalated but we take heart in the one article that says to expect that. It is odd how it's so obvious how she'll test. First a string of one type and volume of meows. Then another. Then another - and she will go through about half an hour and 8-10 different strings before she gives up. She's also taken to doing it after eating now, too - as if any occasion now warrants it. We've also been trying to get more attention in (between the complaints of course). Brushing, etc. More when we see results. Hopefully it will help someone else!

[Dawn Robuck]

Well, the book was interesting, but unfortunately didn't really find anything to help our situation. After looking into both the bird and aquarium idea determined both were too expensive and required a whole level of pet care you just don't realize until you research. Better to put that time towards paying Salem more attention.

The only thing that helped is we've given up worrying about it! Sort of 12 step thing. Let go and let God. At least our anxiety is reduced. If we get kicked out - well, so be it. Lot of things in life we can't control and our kitty is obviously one of them! She has days she's quiet and days she's a real witch but we finally realized we couldn't do anything more at this point other than being patient, ensure all her needs are being well met - and then ignore her when she's being particularly demanding.

Thanks for all the input!