Its 5:37 a.m., do you know where your cat is?

Of course you do.

But getting your cat to quit their morning vocal warmup takes more than one easy trick.

It probably requires a lifestyle change for you and your cat.

A cat that chows down all day long but loses weight might have hyperthyroidism, Galaxy said.

Other medical issues may be harder to spot.

Look for a physical cause before a behavioral one, he said.

We make the mistake of thinking theyre nocturnal.

When youre home, theyre interested in whats happening.

And they know that one of the things that happens when you are home is that everyone eats.

First, stop free-feeding your cat.

If food is out 24/7, regulating their body [clock] is off the table, Galaxy warned.

Theres no predictability to their life when food doesnt have a time and place.

This is key because cats are…particular.

When trying to ask our cats to do anything, good luck if theyre not hungry, Galaxy said.

They dont give a crap about pleasing us.

Youve got to go with what motivates them.

What motivates cats is not their unconditional love for me.

It sets the table for getting you to sleep through the night, Galaxy said.

Dont let those food bowls linger, though.

Pick them up once the cat is finished.

Pair this routine with plenty of exercise before the days final meal.

Really play, he said.

Dont just fling a stick, throw a piece of tin foil.

You should both be tired.

This feeding plan will help replicate their natural habits and get them in sync with yours.

Finally, the most painful prong of Galaxys method: ignoring the cat.

Dont get up and feed the cat, Galaxy said.

Dont say their name.

Youand your partner or other family membershave to pretend youre asleep until its really time to get up.

No one has ever called, he said.

But he admitted that its going to get way worse before it gets better.

He compared it to having terrible jet lag, where the first half-dozen days after a trip is miserable.

But a couple of sleepless nights now will eventually make your mornings a whole lot more enjoyable.

You are their provider.

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