Excessive meowing from my Ragdoll cross cat

Mockingjays

I don't know if anyone can help with tips on how to curb excessive meowing...

A bit of background. He's a neutered tom that I rehomed and I've had him for about 2 months. His history is unknown, apart from knowing he lived with cats and dogs before and apparently didn't get on with the other cats. He's a Ragdoll cross with a lovely nature, very talkative and friendly. I am at work some of the time but also spend plenty of time playing with him etc. He seems content although I know he would like to go out, except the vet has advised me against it. This is due to him having a lot of Ragdoll in him (apparently they aren't good at defending themselves).

During the day he is fine but I'm having dreadful problems with him at night. If I let him sleep on my bed, he wakes up in the night and roams around the home crying loudly until I get up. If he sleeps in the living room he wakes up during the night and meows loudly and persistently until I get up. I've tried ignoring him but always feel I have to get up because the walls are thin and he is LOUD. When I get up he's happy and stops meowing, and usually wants to play or have more cat biscuits. I'm always patient with him as have worked hard to build his trust, as he was very nervous when he came to me.

He's had a health check and he's fine (I look out for his well being and signs that he's not but during the day he's like a different cat so I don't think it's a health issue). He eats well and he's been wormed. He just doesn't seem to want me to go to bed, and he thinks I should be playing with him. Not sleeping is really starting to affect me, and I don't know what to do. It's probably my fault for getting up to him but considering how loud he is, I don't want to upset my neighbours and know they can hear him as they've commented.

If anyone has any tips or ideas I would be grateful.

Many thanks in advance.

Dumbe

It seems to be a trait of some ragdolls! Lots of ragdoll owners find they do this at night.

Mine does it with my husband he wants him to get up and give him cuddles and play with him....

He never does it with me... And in fairness is lot better then he was when younger.

Having a friend ( another cat) helps too as it means Jaffa has someone who is also nocturnal to play with at night!

He still does it though if both Simba and my husband are asleep and he is feeling lonely during the day mine is also a different cat and is sitting peacefully beside me as I type.

My husband tends to just reach out and pick Jaffa up and cuddle him and the two of them go back to sleep. I seem to have deleoped an ability to sleep through it!

Sorry I realize that's not hugely helpful but it's just something we have learned to live with... We do play with him before bed to tire him out.. But I have to be honest it doesn't work 100%

Mockingjays

Thanks Dumbe, this is really helpful. Useful also to know that it's common in Ragdolls. I was worried I was doing something wrong, but it seems it might just be a case of finding a way to deal with it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and share your experience.

donnac2558

In the words of Jackson Galaxy the cat daddy.

You need to play with him until he is panting before you go to bed. Tire him out.

He is on his own during the day for periods so no doubt sleeping then.

dandelionclock30

I'd get a harness and a lead and take him out in the garden for walks especially before bedtime. I personally believe that a cat needs a breath of fresh air and to feel the sun on its fur. If hes more tired then he may sleep right through a bit more.
I have 2 cats, my Tom stays in happily from 7p.m but theres no way the female will stay in. She will batter the door down to get out.Some cats are really nocturnal.

meritaten

yes, I agree - ragdolls can be talkative when they want attention - and he seems to want attention at night. perhaps he played at night with other cats in his 'before' home? so as you are his only playmate.....

I agree with having a 'set' playtime before your bedtime. really active games (I play pingponguppastairs with my Persian - gives him lots of exercise and its fun, its just what it sounds like. I throw ping pong balls up the stairs, Barnes chases them down again or bats them against the wall and sends them flying everywhere, and he scrambles to get the ball at the bottom of the stairs, then he either bats it into the kitchen or dining room to score!)
Barnes has been an indoor cat all his life and I have had him since august last year (he was age 5/6 then) in the last month he has been let out in my little garden - either on the harness or lately off it but under close supervision. and he is a much happier cat. if you CAN take him out for an hour or so then that may help.

Mockingjays

Thanks to everyone who's posted - all helpful suggestions.

I'm off to Pets at Home to look for a harness and lead today.

My cat definitely seems to come alive at night. Yesterday I tried to get him to play more during the evening. Ping pong is his favourite game. We bat the ball back and forth to each other while he chases it about, which gives him lots of exercise.

Thanks again everyone, and enjoy your feline friends

wannabe_credit_free

Cats are nocturnal by nature but if you keep him stimulated during the day he should sleep at night. I had the same problem. A couple of Kong kicker toys for cats should keep him entertained. Just spray with catnip every so often. These toys worked for my cat and helped to satisfy her hunting instincts.

Mockingjays

Thanks everyone.

After a long playtime before going to bed my cat slept until 2pm when he wanted food, play and cuddles. A short while later we were asleep again and this lasted until around 6am when he wanted his breakfast. Meowing was less loud and I feel better for getting a reasonable amount of sleep.

mel48rose

I've never heard of a cat playing ping pong bless him!! He sounds a right character xx

Mockingjays

mel48rose wrote: »

I've never heard of a cat playing ping pong bless him!! He sounds a right character xx

It's ping pong on the floor rather a table. Or kind of like football the way he bats the ball with his paws. He bats it to me and waits for me to roll it back to him so he can bat it again. He is a character bless him, wouldn't be without him