Playtime after dark

Question
Our 6 month old kitten, who until 3 weeks ago, settled down to sleep when we did, has started to play up as soon as we turn out the light. He has food water and a clean tray, but not good enough it seems. As soon as we turn out the light he runs his feet down the wardrobe, (not actually scratching but it's a terrible noise), he runs and wants to play as soon as we turn the lights on. We tried the separate room and all we got was yowling all night, closed our door and he clawed at it to get in and then to get out. Have no idea what has set him off. Can you suggest anything??

Answer
Hi Denise!!

This is essentially the issue many people face with kittens which is why i always say bring home 2 bonded kittens so they can entertain each other when you are gone for long hours, or assess if an older cat which will sleep through the night is a better match. He needs to be trained to be on your schedule which is very possible.
He is rolling and bursting with energy and cats are instinctually nocturnal but we can help get you through a good nights rest by exercising him adequately.
Food and clean box is definitely not enough, just like a young person or teenager needs tons of activity so does a kitten. They are still growing and their minds and body needs plenty of exercise and experiences.
How often are you playing with him? He needs to have several hours of play daily preferably when you get home from work with either a play buddy or similiar aged kitten (if he gets along with other cats) or with you.
You need to tire him out. I am a person for older cats because they have mellowed out. And i mean over 10. I had a 19 year old scaling rooftops that lived till 22 and died because of an idiot vet mistake, but they are still active older but just can sleep through the night.
Here are some exercise suggestions:
I have 2 young boys that run and chase each other up and down the house, deck, stairs and cat tree when i wake in the morning for a few hours and when i return in the evening, I get them going by starting a fetch game with one and then they take off on their own.
If you are pooped there are always those "laser toys" that beam a red light that the kitty can follow around as you lay on the couch.
The good news when they are older they settle, I think for a healthy naturally fed cat, energy patterns change about 3, maybe 6 or 7, then 10, then 15 or 16 all getting more settled then the older ones sleep most of the day.
Is he indoor/outdoor? If only indoor:
)provide (if your space is large enough) two large cat trees that he can jump and climb on, make it so he can scale from one to the other and jump from one to the other.
2) put a bird feeder and water outside window (or nectar for hummingbirds)
keep birds safe and have screens on so he can watch them from indoors.
Make sure he has adequate access to windows to see what goes on outside.
3) give him plenty of toys, and play with him often. Mental stimulation is important, make the games fun!
4) does he like other cats? this is tricky and there is an introduction process that will not exacerbate issues that i can coach you along with, but will he do well with a buddy? some cats do awful with another cat and we can ascertain that if you entertain the idea.
This could keep him company and entertained. But again, this is kitty specific.
I like indoor/outdoor cats provided they are safe as adequate sunshine, stimulation, grass and earth and things are outdoors again provided they are safe.
If your circumstance can only allow indoor ...
5)Do you have any outdoor area such as balcony or deck? If so,
6) you can enclose a deck area for him with secure kitty fences. Build a fenced in enclosure on window if you are concerned with safety.
The two one year old cats sleep solidly six straight hours through the night, I need eight though...But then, i just put them out of the room, lucky for me they are not meowers.
Best of luck!
Shanti