How to Build a Cat-Friendly Morning Routine
Mornings can be chaotic – especially in a busy household. With the sounds of alarms, the coffeemaker, and humans rushing around to get their day started, it can feel overwhelming to felines living under the same roof.
Cats are creatures of routine – and actually quite trainable. While you won’t have them dancing on two legs for a treat, you can easily get them used to a routine around the house so long as it is consistent and rewarding.
While you may already have a great morning routine in your home, consider the following guide as an example of a great morning routine you can get into with your cat. It’s a great way to get the day started, only takes a short period for your cat to get used to, and after a little while, they’ll be coming to get you if you forget!
How to Deal with a Cat Waking You Up Early
Cats are notorious for waking up their owners well before they are ready. This is due to their crepuscular nature. Crepuscular creatures are animals most active at dawn and dusk, sleeping most of the time in between. That means when the sun comes up at 6 am, they are on top of their owners, purring, licking, or headbutting them to try to get them out of bed and into the kitchen for breakfast.
So how do we deal with a cat waking us up early every day? There are a few things you can do. One way to really help deter early wakeups is to leave food out for them before you go to bed. This works for most cats, but there are some that have issues with eating, and when food cannot be left out, you need to try something else.
Another method to help your cat adjust to your morning routine is to use classical conditioning – a psychological term for training a person or an animal to react to a cue, such as a sound. In this case, an alarm clock is the perfect tool. Set an alarm to wake you up at the same time every day, and while it will take a while for your cat to adjust, they will likely learn it’s not worth the effort to try to wake you before the sound.
If you still struggle with this, try closing your blinds every night so the sun doesn’t fill your home in an obvious way. This might help a little, but cats are very good at sensing sunlight.
Keep Breakfast a Calm Affair
Cats don’t like to eat next to people’s feet rushing around them, or while loud noises are everywhere. It gets stressful, and their natural instincts tell them to eat and run, or not eat at all, when there is a lot of commotion.
If you live in a busy household, wake up a bit earlier every day to feed them before everyone else is awake. Once they eat, they will go off and do their own thing – likely grooming themselves, then falling asleep.
Timed automatic feeders can also be quite helpful in feeding your cat early, but they will often associate the feeder with food and waste hours trying to stick their arms up the chute to dig out extra pieces of kibble.
Additionally, the most important part of establishing a routine is doing this roughly at the same time every day, and roughly the same way. Remember to be consistent, and if you choose to do breakfast, remember to keep things calm.
Add a Quick Morning Play Session
Once your cat has eaten, they will likely have a short burst of energy, then go into their pre-bedtime routine. If you can add in a regular play session right after they eat, that helps turn their energy not only into healthy exercise, but also into a chance to bond with each other.
Grab some toys from your local pet or dollar store and let them chase a wand around for a while, or grab a piece of string and walk around the house while they chase it behind you. There are plenty of ways to get your cat active or engaged in the morning, and it benefits both of you!
Offer a Cozy Observation Spot
While you go about getting ready for your day, your cat wants to supervise from a vantage point somewhere nearby – it’s in their nature. By giving them a little perch or a place with a cat bed, nice and high up, they feel included while getting an opportunity to watch and learn about all the fascinating things you do (fascinating to them, at least).
Some cats might be a little shy about jumping up to a designated place in the middle of all the things you are doing. You may need to bring them to their spot a few times before they get used to it. Make sure the spot is comfortable and convenient for them. Something like a simple, cheap cat bed can make a perfect perch.
While you prep for your day, your cat wants to supervise — it’s in their nature. Give them a comfortable spot to enjoy the morning sights.
Build in Some Bonding Time
Cats appreciate small, predictable moments of connection. It doesn’t have to be long, as consistency matters more than duration.
Some ideas you might try including:
· A morning chin scratch ritual
· Brushing your cat for a minute
· Giving them a treat after breakfast or before you leave for the day
· Carrying them around the house for a bit
These positive associations strengthen your bond and reassure your cat that all is well in their world.
Keep Your Exit Calm and Predictable
Lastly, try to keep your exit from the house as stress-free as possible for your cat. They notice all the signals that you’re leaving – like keys jingling, putting your shoes on, or the sound of coats rustling.
To reduce their anxiety, stay calm when you leave and avoid rushing. If you need to, offer them a treat or a puzzle toy.
Some cats like it when you say goodbye to them, calmly, and give them gentle pets. If your cat likes to fall asleep before you leave, even better! For the cats that get really stressed out when you leave your home, sometimes it’s best to do it quietly while they are distracted or in another room.
The most important thing to remember when trying to get your cat used to your morning departure is to be consistent. That is the element needed for all of this to work and mean something for your cat. So set reminders, alarms, whatever you need to, and do it for your furry little buddy!