Does anyone know what to do about a Maine Coon who wants to play at night?. When I put him out of the room, he cries at the door. He is almost 6 months old and I've had him for 3 months. I have never had this problem before with cats, but also I've never had just one cat. Would a friend help? If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Thank you donna

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2000

Answers

Hi Donna, a friend for your baby would certainly turn the need for attention away from you however, you could wind up with two kitties that want to play all night! (which is not a bad thing if you don't mind ignoring suspicious noises until morning!)

Another idea is to play with your baby before you go to bed - wear him out so he'll sleep most of the night (mine is usually good until 4:30AM). Good luck, I know hard it is to listen to those pitiful entreaties outside the bedroom door!

Sallie Saloncats

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2000

I have 2 Maine Coon-type cats, adopted in March, litter mates, and can tell you that Sallie is right -- 2 cats playing all night is the probable result. Mine have the habit of making sure that I settle down and drift off to sleep at bedtime, and as soon as I have dropped off, tear through the place chasing each other. If I get up, they come back, settle me down, and then do it again... I've learned to just ignore it. This would not be so bad, but they wake me up at sunrise every morn. After I've had my coffee, tended to their needs, and spent some time with them, they gratefully head off and go to sleep for most of the day. If I try to get some more sleep in bed on the weekends, they get terribly upset with me. However, napping on the couch is okay. So, we've reached agreement. They do the night shift, I do the day shift. Sallie is right in another thing to -- set up some play time in the late afternoon or early evening to wear them out. This helps -- mine aren't as rambunctious or at it as long if they've had a good playtime with me earlier.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2000