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How to get new rescue cats to sleep at night and stop mischief?
Updated on September 23, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 4 years old | 8 lbs
Hi, I just got 2 rescue cats 3 days ago and they will not sleep at night. We feed them 1.5 hours before bedtime, and then last night played with the laser pointer for over 3 hours. They would not go to bed. I went to sleep at 3am and at 5 they woke me by breaking bowls and other things. How do I get them to behave and to go to bed? I don’t want to give up on them, but I’m so tired and frustrated. And I don’t trust them to be home alone.
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 1, 2019
Cats are usually night active. They will need time to adjust to their new home and the day/night habits of their new owner. This will take more time than just three days. If you can put them in a room where they can play without breaking things and where they have toys and a warm bed to sleep on. They will eventually settle down. Being in a new place is exciting and they need to work off that excitement somehow. Be patient. It will eventually work out.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful