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Tire Them OutAfter a busy day, all we humans want is our bed. That’s true for our pets too—even your night owl kitty, says Brianna Im, DVM, a veterinarian in Portland, Oregon. “A tired cat is less likely to seek attention in the wee hours,” she adds. Play with cats for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day, using a fishing-pole-type teaser toy to tap into their natural hunt-eat-sleep cycle. The second session should be just before bed. Let them chase whatever is on the end of the pole, occasionally letting them catch the bait, as this helps with relaxation, says Rachel Geller, EdD, a cat behaviorist and the author of Saving the World, One Cat at a Time. End the game by making slower movements. “Let your cat have one final juicy capture, then offer a treat,” Geller says. Following the instinctual feline pattern, sleep comes next.
To tucker out a pup, aim for consistent daily walks. While most dogs need at least one 15-minute walk a day, the ideal frequency and length of your treks depend on your dog’s breed, age, and overall health, so check with your vet. When you’re out, let your dog call the shots a bit, says Marge Rogers, a certified professional dog trainer in West Jefferson, North Carolina. “Allowing dogs to follow their nose and move at their own pace drains their energy,” she says. To exhaust them mentally, try a food-dispensing toy, basically the dog version of a crossword puzzle. Try a West Paw Toppl Treat Toy (from $21; chewy.com) or a snuffle mat.
Give Them Beds of Their Own
It can be comforting to have your little smooshie sleep against you, but researchers at the Mayo Clinic say it can disrupt your sleep (as anyone who’s had their turf invaded by a sprawling pittie can attest). The best setup for you both? Get your dog a bed and put it in your room, because the same researchers found that having your pup nearby can improve your sleep. Train dogs to use their beds by luring them with a treat, advises Michael Shikashio, a certified animal-behavior consultant in Noank, Connecticut. “Dogs learn to go through a pattern to get a treat,” Shikashio explains, so it’s best to tempt them with a nibble when they’re already on the floor. This way Fido doesn’t think, say, jumping from human bed to dog bed is the reason he gets a snack. Reward dogs with a treat every time they’re in their beds on their own accord too.
Cats should also have their own beds, though they’re “just as likely to sleep in a cardboard box, or on your laptop,” Im says. Her advice for picking a bed: “Consider a cheap one first to see what your cat likes—cave bed, doughnut bed, etc. If you notice a preference, you can upgrade.”
Or Set Rules for Your Own Bed
Of course, many of us ignore the advice about separate pet beds. According to a recent survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 46% of pet owners bunk with their fur babies at night. And because life is often baffling, a group of researchers from Canisius College found that women sleep better with a dog by their side than with another human. To make sure everyone gets the rest they need, give your dog a defined sleep space at the foot of the bed. Train him to sleep in his spot the same way you’d train him to sleep in his own bed—lure him down there with a treat. “It’s all about consistency and reinforcement,” Shikashio says. You could even try placing his bed on yours, which is something that worked for Im and her cat. If you’re powering through allergies or asthma, put an air purifier in your room (read more on page 39) and wash your sheets at least once a week to help keep dander and other triggers at bay.
Get Up When You’re Ready
The excitement for breakfast is real. Ditto for going outside to pee on that same tree from yesterday. But barring any health issues, your pet should be able to make it through the night until you’re up and at ’em. If you’re being awakened by middle-of-the-night zoomies, consider upping your play sessions and leaving out one of those treat-dispensing toys mentioned earlier for your pup. That can help reduce boredom and quell any midnight munchies. Whatever you do, know that nothing good comes from giving in to 4 a.m. meowing: “When you get up and reward cats with attention— even if it’s negative—or food, you incentivize them to continue to harass you,” Im says. Same for early-morning doggy whine fests. Start your day at a time that works for you. Be consistent and your pup should adjust his inner alarm clock. “Dogs like routine and structure,” Rogers says. “So the more you stick to a schedule, the easier it will be for your dog to adapt.”
Pet still waking you up? See your vet to rule out any medical concerns, like a neurological condition, GI issues, or (in cats) hyperthyroidism, all of which can keep your animals awake at night—and you too.