Is there a reason, why you dont just let them in the bedroom with you. Sounds like the best way to handle the situation to me.

did that for several years but lately they want me to get up at 3 am to feed them. I fill up their bowls before bed so it's not like they're hungry. I think they just want attention. I do not want cats jumping on me, over me, wrestling over top of me when I need to sleep. They used to be sweet all night but now they're just obnoxious. So I leave the door open until they wake me up then I toss them out and the destruction begins.

Stop playing the game. No matter what they do, just curl up under the covers and don't get out of bed.

We had a cat who did all sorts of things in the middle of the night to get my DH out of bed. He walked on the bed, knocked over the trash, knocked over things on the dresser, played with loud toys - the list went on. When DH was away on business trips - nothing. It wasn't my game. I refused to play.

Tried that. Usually do that. After a month of continuously interrupted sleep, I slammed the door.

did I mention the squirt bottle? Yeah, I soak them. Doesn't phase them. So, please, any tips on how to protect my carpet????

I could! Thank you. I was trying to think of a way to attach a sheet of plexi.

I had one wanted to tear up my rug so I used Car Scratch Furniture Protector which is a thick vinyl with a sticky back. Which I applied over the rug until the cat was trained. I bought it on Amazon. Apply it on both side of door and hopefully they won’t be able to get at carpet.

Cat Scratch is what I meant to type.

Can you corral them in the kitchen or mud room away from your bedroom?

I know cats are different than dogs but our dog sleeps downstairs in a crate. We can’t hear anything and he’s used to it anyway.

I don’t let animals be the boss in my house

you guys...I didn't write to Houzz for pet advice. Please, focus.

I would add a rubber door sweeper under the door. Maybe needed to be placed on the outside of the door. You may also need to play with the height of the sweeper. Good luck! That’s all I got😁

Permanent solution:

Install the hardwood in the bedroom and get an area rug you love, or have your broadloom cut/ bound after you rip , to a nearly room sized rug.

At some point the carpet may need to go, anyway.: )

You either learn to love them in your bedroom, or you have shredded carpet. Or install a metal plate at the bottom of door. My bet? They ruin something else.

Why do I say that?

This:

"They used to be sweet all night but now they're just obnoxious. So I leave the door open until they wake me up then I toss them out and the destruction begins."

They will ruin something ELSE.

CURIOUS.... Siamese or Orange?

No matter what.....they are pissed at you: ) and they are reading you like a book. They know......

Orange and Magpie (white with tabby spots). The Magpie is the shredder.

How do you know lol?

They are loving that they torture you: ) they're smart as hell.

They are MAD that hubby is out of town and they like him better than you. Or they fear him, and NOT you

Ok, so you don't want pet advice. My first post was not pet advice, but it was ignored--can you corral them somewhere else in the house away from your bedroom? Somewhere they can't get out to bother you in your bedroom?

Your first post wasn't ignored. It was dismissed. Clearly, I don't want to lock them up at night. And your smug response, "I don’t let animals be the boss in my house" was condescending and off point. I asked for help with a cats & carpet problem and you responded by patting yourself on the back. If you can't be constructive, please stay out of it.

Well I am for one, confused. Are you not letting the cats be the boss of your sleepy time , as you "don't want to lock them up"?

What is it you want? All the paint scratched from the bedroom door?: ) Whines and cries from the kitties at the door? Something else?

Slide a big!! chunk ( below) under the door every night and shut the darn door. Trim to fit. Heavy enough to deter them. good luck with the paint thing

No one said to lock them up. Not giving them the total run of the house isn't locking them up.

You said, "I don't want to lock them up...." So you're LOCKING YOURSELF UP??? Something is seriously wrong here.

Pets and children need discipline and boundaries. It's not condescending to say that a homeowner should be the Alpha dog or cat. But if you want to be controlled by a couple of destructive cats, then enjoy! I'm out.

It's their nocturnal hunting instinct, inbred in all cats, as they can sleep an entire day away in any sunny window and barely move or roll over.. You allowed them in bed when kittens, they still expect to be allowed.

!

Dress warmly for bed, and don't go under the covers. The slightest movement under those blankets sets off their "Kill instinct" : ) and even if for fun? Same thing.

Get some of heavy plastic runner for carpet, the home improvement stores have it on rolls here. You should be able to cut it to fit. But it may be a bit of a tripping hazard. Maybe using it for a while will stop the habit they have.

One of my cats did the same thing. Mostly to the carpet outside the bathroom door and a little outside my bedroom door. She just couldn't stand to be closed out of any room. No doors were allowed to be closed. I was never able to get her to stop, she finally stopped on her own.

Or get a interior cat door. There are many choices.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cat-Door-Lefthand-Kit-The-Original-Patented-Kitty-Korner-Slidelock-Hinge-Designed-to-Work-for-Interior-Doors/15359763160

Put a threshold or door saddle there.

For heaven sake, get a big plastic desk chair mat, cut it to fit the width of door and extend out at least three feet into the yonder room or hallway.. Roll it up at daylight...or shove it under the bed until you retire.

Story Of Cats......

Don't squirt the cats with the water bottle about the carpet they don't know why you're being mean to them! Plus they might get a cold or pneumonia and get a scratching post or put wood or laminate floors down and you could always use a throw rug or you could do the other advice about plastic they come in a row I had them at my old house in the carpet by the front door I got the clear one so I can see the carpet