We had an older cat when we got two kittens almost 11 years ago. For several reasons we kept the kittens in "their" room at night, and let the old cat have the house to herself. We were all used to it, and when the old cat died, we still put the other two in their room.

Now we have only the one cat left, and she still gets shut in at night. I am the main reason we do this. I have a difficult time sleeping as it is, and when she tries to get on my lap, it causes my muscles to spasm (from the weight).

I don't think she's being abused by spending the night in a 10X12 room, with food and water, cat box, toys, a cozy kitty bed, etc. It's not as though she hears us out here doing things--except for the hour or so I stay up later than my husband, we're asleep. And I think she sleeps most of the time she's in there. She goes in about 8, comes out when we get up at 5-5:30.

I say she's fine; my husband thinks she should be "with us". (Hmm, maybe I could fit a twin bed in the cat's room for...no, no, just kidding.) Do other people "kennel" their cat(s) at night?

I have sammy, a four year old male cat. He is ruled by the kibble, and is overweight as it is. If he can't settle at night, and keeps up his little catterwauling, well...I do kennel him in the laundry with water and a bed. Also if he wakes me like at 4 a.m. to eat, I will chase him around, and he goes to the laundry till I am good and ready to feed him. He is a hand full, and kennel can be a very good idea.....Cats will indeed control you if you don't control them. How old is your baby? ginnie

She is almost 11. She's spent nights in that room her whole life, but up until August she had her sister with her.

Is DH thinking she's lonely? Who's to say? Sleeping in her room is all she knows; she's probably fine. Opening the door doesn't necessarily mean she's sleep in bed with you.

Since you know her movement on the bed would keep you awake at best, make you very uncomfortable at worst, I'd say leave her in her room.

Changing the habits of an 11 y/o kitty may not be in her best interest either.

I've never confined my cats to any particular space. They tend to sleep alot during the day and are up more at night but my two older ones are much older than the one youngun'......
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. Gracie is about 11 and Tigger is close to 10. Panda is only 3 so she tends to outrun the older two. But they all sleep in my bedroom at night.....when they sleep.
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Cats are creatures of habit and trying to teach an old cat new tricks is probably useless. It would probably upset her more than help her. Unless she is clawing at the door to get out or howling for your attention I'd leave well enough alone.
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I don't keep my cat in a particular room, at night, per se. However, mine and the kids' rooms are 'off limits' at nighttime. For similar reasons, I just don't want her either moving around on me, or frankly, love her purr, but it keeps me up at night. I need my sleep, too
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If your cat(s) have been used to this, as their norm, and with the cozy set up you describe, more power to you and them
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Hi GladysD! It's been a long time! Welcome back!
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My cat is 10 yrs old, and has the run of the house.
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I do NOT normally let him in my bedroom though because he weights 17.5 lbs! And when he gets on me, my muscles spasms so badly that I want to scream!
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I have Fibro, plus alot of spine problems and I don't need an overweight cat laying on me at night. LOL

He's spoiled rotten -- so he'll be fine without "Momma" for the night.
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My chub of a cat is 20lbs. Yes he is limited on food. My son had him and gave him the perpetual food bowl, bad bad idea. He lives for the kibble. I do let him in the bed with me, but he has his side and isn't allowed to lay on me. I have memory foam matress, and it is a good thing too, ot he would wake me just thumping around. Cats... they are a trip....ginnie
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My 11yr old cat, Bubba, is 14lbs and does on occasion sleep on me but mostly beside me. He's been a lifesaver for me the last 3 weeks or so, I am alone at home during the day and have PCS and not allowed to use TV, PC, etc (hubby is typing fopr me).