How To Help a Cat Sleep

Anxiety from vet visits, an illness or moving can cause a cat to lose sleep. In addition, most cats are nocturnal which means they do most of their hunting and playing at night. Their nighttime activities can keep a pet owner up as they listen to their pet knocking over furniture and meowing. Other possible causes for your cat's overactive behavior could be an overactive thyroid or senile dementia. Help you and your cat get a better night's sleep.

Things You'll Need

• Heating pad
• Blanket
• Cat food
• Medication
• Pillows

Instructions

1. Take your cat to a veterinarian to get her checked out for any medical causes for her restlessness. Older cats can get arthritis, which makes it difficult for them to get comfortable.

2. Place a warm heating pad down for your cat with a blanket on top. Cats enjoy staying warm, especially if you live in a drafty home.

3. Feed your cat a late night snack to encourage sleepiness. Cats, like humans, spend a lot of energy digesting food, which will help them get some sleep. You can give them 2 tbsp. of wet food as part of their nightly routine.

4. Close the windows of your rooms or home to reduce sounds and smells from bothering your cat. When cats smell outside cats, they tend to act territorial and on guard. Likewise, passing foot traffic can pique your cat's interest.

5. Ask your vet to prescribe your cat an anti-anxiety medication. Selegiline is commonly prescribed for cats that lose sleep from anxiety.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a cozy cave for your pet with pillows and blankets, so he can sleep in a space he deems safe.

• Do not give your pet any human medication to help it sleep because cats have a different physiology than humans.

References

• Washington Post: Helping Your Cat Sleep
• Pet Place: Sleep Behavior of Cats