Cats waking me at 4 am

Question
I'd like to know how to discourage my 4-yr old and 3-mos old cats from licking me at 4 am in bed.  While it is very cute, I need my rest.  I love having them in bed with me, but now with the acquiring of a 3-mos. kitten, I can't have them doing this all the time.

Answer
Carol,

I'm sorry the other expert is no longer here so I answering her questions.

You need to change your routine with the cats and get them used to the new one.

Play with them right before you go to bed. A pet laser light is an excellent interactive toy (you can get them at PetSmart, Petco, etc.)  A good play session before bedtime will tire them out, which is essential for a good nights sleep for you both!  

Give the cats a can of catfood (or their big meal) after you play with them, just before you go to bed. That way they will have a full tummy, be tired from playing, and will sleep longer (hopefully!)

Leaving a bowl of dry food out at night will help too. If they get the munchies, they won't have to try to wake you, and it will tide them over until you get up.

Feeding a cat first thing in the morning will only increase their desire to wake you up earlier and earlier because they will associate your waking up with the reward of being fed.  To discourage this, take a shower, have your breakfast, play with them for a few minutes and THEN feed them.

The way to stop them waking you up is to ignore them...COMPLETELY! It is very difficult and annoying, but you can not acknowledge their actions in ANY way. They will EVENTUALLY stop when they don't get any reaction or attention from you. You have to be consistant though. If you even react once to them, then it won't work and it will be worse because the cats will know if they do it long enough eventually you WILL react, so they will keep it up longer.

DO NOT punish the cats.  They are only trying to get your attention and tell you their needs the only way they know how. If some behavior got your attention before, then that is how they will do it again...and again.

I hope this helps and gives you some ideas how to go about stopping the morning wakeup calls.

Tabbi