It's OK to put your cat alone in a room at night so long as your cat is OK with it. It's not just a matter of locking them in; you have to prepare the room, the cat, and yourself. You will need to take the time to acclimate them to this new living situation and make sure that they are never under undue stress.
Spending up to eight hours a night in close proximity to a cat means you're likely getting some exposure to the animal's secretions and excretions. While your odds of contracting an ailment from your cat are low, very young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk.
It isn't healthy for them to be locked out of a bedroom that you are in, for most cats that is. Some cats might be less affected but you wouldn't know this until way later. In general, you should never close off an area unless it's for their safety.
Position your cat's sleeping spots away from any noisy appliances (such as washing machines) and busy areas of the home (such as the hallway). A quiet corner of a bedroom or living room is ideal, and once your cat is snoozing, make sure you leave them alone to avoid startling them awake.
As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive. Your cat should not be left alone for long periods of time.
Managing Nocturnal Behavior in Cats
You may feel that getting up and calming or feeding your cat will help, but it's best to ignore your cat's behavior as much as possible. Attention in the night rewards the behavior and your cat may learn to stay awake for food and attention.
Where Cats Go at Night. It's natural to wonder where the heck cats go at night. At home, they're usually sleeping, playing, cuddling, eating, or sleeping some more.
Cats love to roam, especially at night. This is because they are creatures whose instinct is to hunt when it is dark outside, especially at dawn and dusk. Those are the times of day that a cat is most active. If your cat is allowed to be outdoors, you may wonder what they do in the darkness of the night.
Try changing the cat's schedule gradually To manage night time activity cat owners can try to gradually alter the cat's schedule by encouraging play time and feeding during the daytime and earlier evening hours, so that the cat's schedule more closely matches that of the humans in the household.
Please note: A cat should never be locked out all night. Also, ensure that cats have access to shelter in the day time, either providing a kennel or access to a shed.
And unlike dogs, cats actually prefer smaller spaces and tend to find hideaways and corners to retreat when they need their space. Although cats may need a little less, a cat can happily live in one room only if they have everything they need.
Ideally, the right time to let your kitten roam the house at night is when it's already been litter trained and fully accustomed to its surroundings. There is no guaranteed time frame as getting your kitten settled in is a gradual process.
They have separation anxiety.
Cats who hate closed doors may feel anxious when they're separated from you, or when they are alone in general. Or it may be that they have never been trained to feel comfortable with confinement—even if they just feel “confined” in a hallway while you're in the bathroom.
Cats are crepuscular, which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk. However, some house cats that either started off as strays or spend a lot of time outdoors, may develop the habit of being most active at night due to the fact that night time is when their prey is most active.
Toys and puzzles can provide your cat with mental stimulation that will help tire them out so they aren't waking you up. You can leave the toy or puzzle out at night to keep them busy while you get some sleep. This solution works especially well if your cat is bored. Play with your cat before bed.
Some cats cry at night out of loneliness, boredom, or anxiety. Especially if you've been away at work all day, your cat needs interaction and companionship. Without one-on-one time your furry friend will become stressed and lonely, and he's likely to let it be known when you're right in the middle of REM sleep.
Cats like peace and quiet. Household conveniences, like vacuum cleaners, can easily disrupttheir nap time.
They almost always like a quiet, out of the way area, like a corner or a closet, someplace where they won't be disturbed. Your cat doesn't necessarily need a bed, a fuzzy polar tech throw or a sheep skin or just out of the dry flannel sheets all work beautifully.
Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier. You can start with creating a safe outdoor enclosure for them. This will provide plenty of entertainment value during the day, as well as giving them plenty to do when you are busy looking after your home or family.
Risk: Disrupted sleep
Geoff DeWire, Vet-in-Chief for cat litter company PrettyLitter. “An active cat may be disturbing your sleep cycles which can result in unrestful sleep.” Athletic feats aside, cats may snore, scratch, or simply prod you for attention during your sleeping hours.
If you or your partner have asthma or allergies, your cat shouldn't be allowed in the bedroom at all. Ideally, you should make your bedroom off limits from day one. Kitty will be less likely to scratch on the door and cry to be let in if she doesn't think of your room as part of her territory.
Cat owners are often encouraged to slowly blink or wink their eyes (e.g. sleepy eyes) when directly looking toward their cats. This sends a message that you are not a threat and they should not be alarmed. However, cats always prefer their owners using their peripheral vision to look at them rather than a direct gaze.
Can cats sense emotions? Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. “Cats can definitely sense when you are sad because they are highly attuned to your normal behaviors and moods, and if there is a change, they sense it,” Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.