It is tough but you have to persevere. I suggest that you
(A) ensure that you put way too much food down before you go to bed, so you know the cries are for attention and not because of an empty bowl
(B) get a water spray bottle so every time the cat sits there meewing at an ungodly hour, he gets sprayed with water. He will soon learn what is acceptable behaviour.
When I had Sammy v7, he owned me, and the vet told me I had to treat a cat like a recalcitrant child, and not let them get away with unacceptable behaviour. It might take a week or so, but the cat will quickly learn. These days with Sam v8 I just have to pick up the water spray bottle and the cat runs out of the room.
Yeah water bottle trick works on one cat but not the other, we trained our ginger tabby like that but the bengal isn't bothered by water and just stares you down while you spray him. He's a nightmare.
It is tough but you have to persevere. I suggest that you
(A) ensure that you put way too much food down before you go to bed, so you know the cries are for attention and not because of an empty bowl
(B) get a water spray bottle so every time the cat sits there meewing at an ungodly hour, he gets sprayed with water. He will soon learn what is acceptable behaviour.
When I had Sammy v7, he owned me, and the vet told me I had to treat a cat like a recalcitrant child, and not let them get away with unacceptable behaviour. It might take a week or so, but the cat will quickly learn. These days with Sam v8 I just have to pick up the water spray bottle and the cat runs out of the room.