Anonymous wrote:we used a pillow case and the pond down the street.
Anonymous wrote:I would take her to the vet and talk about getting an anti-anxiety medication.
And I would not keep feeding her that early -- just leave out some dry food. You can use one of those timer things so it pops open at 4 am. And I certainly wouldn't pet her during the night. You're just reinforcing it.
I'm sure you love your cat, but it's not OK for the cat to wake you up multiple times a night. It's a health hazard for you to have your sleep interrupted and it will affect your work, driving, and can cause weight gain and longer-term health problems.
I would worry less about her scratching the door than about your sleep and dh's.
Anonymous wrote:Earplugs and white noise. Don't block her from the bedroom.
Anonymous wrote:Make a comfortable bedroom in another room for her, like a large family bathroom. Leave bed, water, food, toys and close the door when you go to bed. This is how we trained our kitten to know it was night time and we only had to repeat it once or twice after she turned 1 year old.
I'm pretty sure it will work for your older cat, if not in terms of retraining her to remember its night, then at least it solves the problem of her waking you all up.
Anonymous wrote:Prozac or Xanax
Anonymous wrote:Make a comfortable bedroom in another room for her, like a large family bathroom. Leave bed, water, food, toys and close the door when you go to bed. This is how we trained our kitten to know it was night time and we only had to repeat it once or twice after she turned 1 year old.
I'm pretty sure it will work for your older cat, if not in terms of retraining her to remember its night, then at least it solves the problem of her waking you all up.