Reprogramming an indoor cat
We happened to keep for a few months the indoor cat of another couple, because they had some house works to be done and didn't want the cat to be too stressed. The cat is a proud 10-ish year old orange and white male. He no longer have any gonads.
I know this cat for a long time and he's the kindest cat ever. Very trusting of humans, like to be close to you but not too close (his perfect spots are always next to an human, at an arm length). He doesn't like hugs but enjoy pets. He's quite in cars.
He's an indoor cat because he's so scared of outside. He never went fully out because the owners had only a balcony. He doesn't want to go alone even, because once in a cold winter night, those owners forgot him outside (they had a very tough family news and were under shock, not their normal behavior). He's spook of cars, sounds, and generally feels safe in a house. He's a rescue kitten, grew up in a small cage.
The only thing is: he absolutely despised that his owners slept during the night. He was naughty. Touching stuff he's not allowed to touch, eating plants that are bad for him, stepping on this friend or whispering little meows in their ears. The man from the couple used to wake up A LOT each night, just because of the cat, for years. The woman had a very deep slept so wasn't bothered.
I was a bit scared of this when I took the cat, because sleep is very important for me, and for us (my partner is not himself and does a lot of mistakes when tired). Therefore, I planned on reprogramming this cat.
We decided on a simple but clear schedule. Once we get in the bed, zero interactions with the cat. We decided on a time when "ok we can get up and give you attention". Even when I had insomnias, I wouldn't even look at the cat, even when he tried to make me pet him. The first nights were awful. The cat was so noisy we had to close the door and wait for him to calm down after he scratched the doors for so long. He wasn't even asking for food, just screaming for attention.
It's summer here so we had a mosquito net over the bed. One that closes. It was very effective to not have the cat stepping on us. We prepared a small comfy spot next to the bed, so he can still sleep next to us and see us.
Finally, we increased the play time. I think the ruthless nights were mostly because of boredom. We make a point to play with him a bit every day, especially in the evening.
... It worked.
The schedule works. The cat gets in the comfy spot after the evening playtime. Sleeps with us and sometimes wakes up to play alone or feed or else. Silently. Not a single meow. At the time scheduled, he gets a bit impatient, go near the bed and looks at us. Once the mosquito net is open, he asks for pets (and he gets them!). Sometimes, he even forgets and we get even more sleep.
He's the nicest cat. We'll miss him when the couple will take him back.