Cat meowing/scratching/pawing/bumping into bedroom door EVERY morning!

(Cedar Rapids, IA, USA)

This is all of them looking out the sliding glass door :-)

I have three male cats in my home. Two were brothers that are about 2 years old (Puma and Tigre), and one is a new-ish addition (brought into the home about 8 months ago, Panther). All three of the cats get along great, so the initial stress of introducing a new cat is pretty much gone. For the last couple months however, Puma (and sometimes Pan) will sit at my bedroom door pawing under it and meowing loudly, and then bumping loudly into the door. It usually happens around 7-8 am which I take to mean that they want their breakfast, but their normal breakfast time is 8:30-45. I really would like for Puma to stop doing this because it is really annoying and disrupts my sleep (I am a full time student and I also work full time). Even if they have some food in their bowls, they still do this! I don't know how I can make them stop and would really like some tips. They don't have ANY other behavioral issues other than this, and I have been really lucky in that sense, but I guess I just don't understand why they are doing this.
Thank you for any help or advice!

RESPONSE:

They want you! Cats can't really tell time. They just wake up, know where you are and want to be with you. This behavior is more about you than food.
You really have 2 options. Open the door so they can come in and snuggle with you. Or, ignore them. Ignoring them will be really hard as cats can be quite stubborn so if this is what you prefer you will have to be patient and more strong willed than your cats. Don't give in - ever - or they will have won and you will have to start all over again!
Try putting a cardboard acratcher outside your door and a few toys to occupy them. A feeder ball and a puzzle box with treats hidden in them may help.
Whatever you do, don't talk to them or acknowledge them in any way until you are ready to get up or they will continue to "train" you to get up when THEY want you to.
Personally, we subscribe to the open door policy. We have found that the enjoyment of quiet petting and snuggling with our cats more than makes up for a few minutes of lost sleep. They are actually more inclined to let us sleep in if they can be with us. And it is way better than listening to them take out their frustration on our bedroom door! However, the choice is yours.
And since this is your only issue with your cats, you ARE lucky! Your babies sinply love you!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom