Hi Adele,
Before we attribute this to any behavioral issues, it is important to eliminate all possible medical reasons. In the case of cats, medical issues can cause the cat to be restless. Check with the vet and make sure that he is in good health.
Cats are also most active at dawn and dusk as it is usually an ideal time for hunting. House cats tend to be most active and playful around this time due to their hunting instincts kicking in. It could also be his body clock waking him up for his biological break and if he is unable to access his litter box at this time, he turns to you for help.
Most cats tend to be self-reliant and do not really require human support at all times, but if he has learned to expect rewards whenever he reaches out to humans, it is a reinforced behavior issue which needs to be corrected. If you have the habit of feeding your cat as soon as he wakes up or giving him affection as soon as he is up and comes to you, you have rewarded him to annoy you and he will continue to do it.
Change his diet schedule so that he eats late in the night before bedtime so that he can adjust to eating later in the morning. You can also use extra dark curtains to keep the sunlight coming in early in the morning to give your cat a little bit extra snooze time. Avoid feeding him first thing as soon as he wakes up, but rather engage him in some play activity or with a toy to keep him occupied. Make sure he has some good activity during the day to mentally simulate him and exhaust him. If a cat is bored, he would turn to destructive behavior in order to keep himself active.
Investigate and understand why your cat is seeking your attention at all times and help him to overcome this in creative ways. Consult a behaviorist if the problem persists.
(Does your pet’s behaviour worry you? Write to our expert at pet.faqs@gmail.com)