[Fey]

I've found over the years that cat stares have weight. More so when you're asleep even. And when just their eyes don't work they're happy enough to use feet, tails, tongues or whatever it is to get you up LOL

I've had dreams that have had alarms, and bells wake me up on days I've forgotten to set alarms as well, so I think our brains are quite good at helping us out.

Though, fair warning with the cats, don't do the 3am thing often unless you want to be woken up EVERY morning that way, they will take advantage of it and start waking you every day.