Why does my Cat wake me up in the morning?

Why does my Cat wake me up in the morning?

Many cat owners wonder why their cat wakes them up in the morning. Are they hungry? Are they bored, or do they want attention? Our behavior expert weighs in on why your cat is waking you up in the morning.

• A common reason is hunger. Cats may wake their owners to hurry breakfast if bowls are filled or canned food is served in the morning. But cats are not motivated by food alone. They are social animals.
• Cats who typically look forward to playing with their owners or enjoying snuggling time may also wake them up to start the fun.
• Because many of us are away all day for work, our cats value their limited time with us. From their point of view, letting us sleep when we could be enjoying each other’s company is a wasted opportunity. 
• Some people ask whether their cats wake them up in the morning to go hunting with them. Play or activating us to make food available can certainly motivate our cats to roust us out of bed but not joining them for a hunt. Domestic cats, like their wild ancestors, are solitary hunters of small prey animals. No need for our help to capture a mouse!

Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil, (D.V.M.) is an  Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and heads the Behavior clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.