by Cindi Clarke

Created on: May 21, 2009   Last Updated: May 22, 2009

Cats in the wild are often active at times that benefit them the most. If the best hunting is at night, then they will prowl and hunt at night. If the heat of the day or the cold of the night makes it uncomfortable or difficult for them to be active, then they will sleep or be inactive at those times. Lion prides in the desert will sleep in the hottest part of the day in the shade of a tree or rock outcropping, and then hunt at dusk when the air has cooled and their prey has a harder time seeing them. In cold environments, the reverse will happen as both the hunter and the prey will try to take advantage of the sunlight's warmth to seek food, or shelter, before the frigid cold night comes. Also, some wild cats are naturally solitary animals, while others seek out the companionship and safety that comes with belonging to a pride or family of other cats.

Cats in our homes are the same way. When they can be active during the day, either eating (hunting) or playing (hunting), then they will rest at night while you are resting. If they are solitude seekers, your absence or presence may not affect them one way or the other. However, if they seek companionship they may be more likely to be active only at times when you are present in the home, regardless of whether or not you are trying to sleep.

One way to ensure that you and your cats are on the same shift is to provide them with toys or other entertainment during the day to keep them active and busy, especially if they are only indoor cats and do not have access to the outside where they will run and chase bugs or other animals. Perhaps get one of those vacuum-bots that they can chase during the day as it cleans your house, or another toy that is motion activated. You can also purchase DVDs that will run continuously and show birds and other animals that will keep your cat interested and active.

Make sure they have plenty of food and water during the day or are fed in the morning so that they will not feel the need to attack you as soon as you walk in the door at the end of a long work day. If you don't leave food out for them to graze on as they are hungry, and have set feeding times for them, make sure that they eat their evening meal at least three to four hours before you plan on going to sleep so that they can digest it and burn off any energy before lights out.

Develop a routine at night so that your cats understand that it is time to sleep. If your cats have been outside during the day, establish a curfew of sunset so that they come inside when it begins to get dark and are not outside exposed to the dangers of other night hunters or cars. Do not encourage or start wild games of catch or chase with toys or yourself so that they are overly excited with nowhere to burn their adrenaline except to pounce on you as you are trying to sleep. If necessary, pick up all their toys and turn off any automated bots or motion activated toys. Not only will it keep your cat from playing with it, but it will not scare the dickens out of you if you go to get a glass of water in the middle of the night. Cats may have nine lives but humans only have one, and hearing a dinosaur roar and look at you with glowing red eyes, or hearing Santa suddenly say ho, ho, ho in the middle of the night can quickly use up at least a few potential days as your heart slows to a normal beat and panic dissipates.

If your cats still insist on being on a different time schedule than you are, consider putting them into a room away from your bedroom at night so that their nocturnal activities don't keep you awake.

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