Originally posted by Pam:
I too have some contributions for odd behavior! My 7 year old orange tabby named Trevor loves yogurt. When he was a kitten I always let him lick out the inside of my yogurt cup when I was finished with it. Now, I can't eat my yogurt in peace any more. If he sees me go into the refrigerator, he waits to see what I am taking out. If it's yogurt he will follow me all around the house until I share some with him. I now put some of it on a plate for him so we can eat at the same time since he just can't wait til I get to the bottom of the cup any more! My other cat, an all white male named Andy (who, by the way, hates yogurt) has just started a new behavior at the age of 4 yrs. Around 2:00-2:30 AM he will come into my bedroom meowing loudly and constantly and holding a stuffed mouse in his mouth. He will keep meowing until I notice the mouse and pet him and praise him. Then he drops it on the floor and goes on his merry way (wherever that is......I certainly don't follow him at 2:30 AM!)
Pam ~

Glad you shared your cats' idiosyncrasies!

I think perhaps Trevor's behavior might not be too unusual...

Felines (and other mammals) often retain a fondness for dairy products after being weened. And they can be quite insistant once spoiled. For instance, I can't leave the butter dish out for fear of kitty-lick marks appearing on the top of the cube. I've mentioned in another posting that both of my kitties like to finish our ice cream bars. I'm sure our other forum members and readers could offer more examples. I hope they do.

But your naughty Andy...

You poor dear! Waking you up at 2:30 am sounds a tad unusual... and torturous. But how this behavior merits petting and praising is beyond my simple understanding. I wouldn't doubt that you are encouraging him to repeat his unwanted performance on a nightly basis!

Originally Andy may have hoped you would play with him on his inhuman (and inhumane) schedule. A simple non-response the first few times may have discouraged him from interrupting your sleep again.

But now, Pam, you must endure many more nights' sleep interruptions. I would call that problem cat behavior.

I would suggest ear plugs for awhile, but I know many of us find them uncomfortable. And ear plugs may inhibit one's ability to wake to the sound of an alarm. So you may have to create your own solution.

Whatever choice you make will not be easy. Hang in there. And let us know how you do.