Ever since my two bengals came into my life, they've made sleeping difficult. When it's time for bed, and I crawl under the covers and turn out the light, they will sit on the desk, side tables, and fish tank and knock anything that's movable onto the floor to get me to wake up. They won't chase this item, just knock it down (aparently to hear it crash, watch it break, or see what I do). I've had to close them out of the bedroom at night, which I'd rather not do (sleeping with furry things is so much better than sleeping without them) but they just won't settle down. Even if I play hard with them for awhile before bed, they're still all gung-ho on the knock-it-down game. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
chaotikitten

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world". Ghandi

Hi,

Much as I love my boys, I wouldn't dream of letting them sleep in our bedroom - that way lies madness

I guess they still think that you're available for play if you're in the same room as them. My boys know that when the light goes off downstairs that it's time for bed, and generally they go off without a fuss. They were more troublesome when they were young as they'd wake up really early and meow at the door but they seem to have picked up that they don't get breakfast till we get up!

Perhaps it's an age thing, but I think they really appreciate routine. I know even now, if we are out late at night (very rarely!) that we will suffer as the cats wake up when we come home and then won't settle down for ages.....

I know you'd like your cats to be with you at night, but really, it may be better for all concerned if they have a sleeping space outside your bedroom so they know the boundaries for playtime!

Good luck,

Teresa x

For my cats it depends, sometime they're ok, but most of the time I've got to shut them out of the bedroom and even of the living room as they'll meow and scratch the door, or just play very loudly (the only access to the bedroom is through the living room, and before the living room there's everything else, kitchen, bathroom, a corridor and a spare room they don't have access too as I keep my chipmunks in ).

I feel awful bad when shutting them out of the living room but my, how do I sleep nicely ...

Yes, we can't let ours in the bedroom either due to attacks under the covers and soiling the bedding. Perhaps you can let them back in when they are older and (hopefully) calmer. Also - whenever you are there and awake, do not let them sleep (get your own back ). That way they will be more tired at night.

Oh goodness. I'm glad to find that I'm not the only one that has to lock my baby out of my bedroom. My 3 dogs sleep with me so it's hard to leave her in the living room. As much as I make her play during the day she still feels like it's time to play when the lights go out. Thank goodness we have a door leading into the hallway and our bedroom door or I wouldn't get any sleep.

My older non-Bengal cat sleeps with me at night (she curls up on my feet - it's so cute!), but I have to put little Aya in the bathroom (with her litter box) in order to get a good nights sleep.

But she knows the minute I wake up and starts hollering at the door to be let out and get her morning snuggles!

My boys used to keep me up at night, running around like crazies...now they do once in a while, but for the most part, they leave the bedroom and run around in the living room where I tune them out. They are 7 months now. When I brought them home at 3 months, I thought I would never sleep again!!! Hang in there- it gets easier

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