Question:
After neighbours complained, we have been trying to keep our 14-year-old Burmese cat inside at night. He has everything he needs but he still miaows all night until we let him out at 5am. Is he too old to change his ways? Julie, Pelican Waters, Qld
Answer:
Cats are by nature more active at night, and a 14-year-old cat that has previously been able to roam all night long is not going to take too kindly to being locked up. But he’ll have to get used to it! It will just take some time and patience.
What you can’t do is go to him or let him out while he’s miaowing. This tells him that if he miaows, he gets what he wants. Kick him out during the day so he tires himself out a bit and don’t feed him until you call him in at night. He should come because he’ll be hungry and after dinner he should relax a bit.
If he has everything he needs (litter tray, food, water and a warm bed), you don’t need to worry — it’s now just a battle of wills. Let him out in the morning but only when he is quiet. A few nights of not getting up to go to him at all should cure him of his early morning miaowing for good.
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