I just adopted a pair of cat brothers, about 4 years old, last week. They have already established a routine, which involves squeaking at me right about daylight. Then we go downstairs and the squeaking gets louder as the cans are opened. They have already learned that the food is in the kitchen, so whenever I go there for any reason they follow. They know what the sound of a rustling treat bag means even though I just got it yesterday. They also follow me to the bathroom because of the rule about humans in bathrooms always having to be accompanied by cats. It took them less than a week to become my overlords. I love them.

eliminating bodily waste is one of the most dangerous things a cat can do. The strong scent can attract predators. Since they don't want a predator to get you, they come with you into the bathroom to stand guard.

I don't know whether that's scientifically proven,, but it does make sense.

Usually with claws .. pouncing .. vocalizing .. drama

I was awakened by my brother and sister black cats lying on either side of me and staring expectantly, waiting for me to do the right thing.
I obeyed.

Even though they know i won't start breakfast until 7-7:30.

The rules are known only to them.

and when they want to go out on the screened in porch to bird watch. One of them looks at me and makes chewing motions to let me know it is feeding time. They all have me well trained.

They’re spoiled as can be. By my husband as well as by me!

When they first went on it, I would measure it according to the instructions on the bag and every morning, around 4:00, Martini would stand on me and Holly would gently touch my cheek with her paw - "get up and feed us! We're hungry!" I now just fill the bowl and them eat whenever they want.

Measuring it was clearly not enough food for them.

there is little difference between owning cats or dogs....."sleeping in" is a distant memory, once you get a cat OR dog.......

How would you know when to get up if they weren't there to help you remember? They know you would oversleep and be unhealthy if you didn't them there to make demands on your time.

Just keep reminding yourself that they do it because they love you!

Our one year old "kitten" ALWAYS knows when it's PRECISELY 6 o'clock am.

I don't want to feed them that early, but I've discovered that they'll go back to sleep after I've fed them - and there's always the off-chance that I'll be able to fall back to sleep, too. Fortunately I'm retired so I can catch a nap pretty much any time.

Then pouncing.
Then climbing on my head.
That's when I get up.
Starts at 4:45 , unless it's near zero
Then they wait till the sunrises and it warms up.

About a half hour before the alarm goes off. The sound of coffee being made is their signal to do whatever it takes to pry me out from beneath the warm blankets.

Little bastards.

the little darlings.

Around noon I start receiving lunch nudges and at 5:00 🕔 pm the dinner purring starts. Today, it’s 5:03 pm - schedule, schedule, schedule. 🥹

Never fails.

... I mean anything more than 10 minutes old.

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At noon, and again at bedtime

That way I avoid that early morning wake up.