Cats are funny little creatures. Sometimes they are the most affectionate animals, other times they seem aloof. They can be playful, loving, comforting, and at times, finicky. Some cats even ‘talk’ in the way of meowing to get the attention of their owners. This can be beneficial in some instances, but a furry feline’s merry meowing can soon turn into a waking nightmare when it keeps their owners up all night. If you are experiencing a cat who likes to party all night and sleep all day, it can slowly begin to chip away at the affection you feel for your furry friend, and also steal many an hour of peaceful sleep.
The most common cause for night meowing is simply boredom or loneliness. Cats are not strictly nocturnal, but the fact that their nighttime eyesight is so sharp gives some insight into their preference to being awake in the evening. One way to combat boredom is to provide your cat with toys that will distract and entertain them. If your cat already has toys, setting aside a favorite toy and taking it out before you go to sleep may help keep cats entertained and distracted. If loneliness is the culprit for nighttime noisiness, try giving your cat a lot of affection right before you go to sleep. Set aside 15 minutes strictly for petting and playing with them to tide them over until morning. If you are not comfortable with having a cat in bed, consider setting up a space close to the bed where your cat can relax and be close by.
Another cause for night meowing in cats is age. Older cats experiencing some hearing loss, or even some feline dementia, often meow because they are unsure of their surroundings. Younger cats can experience this too if they have moved to a new environment. A possible solution to this is placing an unwashed t-shirt you’ve worn in a couple places your cat is known to sleep. They are likely to smell your familiar scent and feel secure.
Additionally, cats are also known to meow at night due to hunger, thirst, or change in routine. It is important to keep water filled, and dry food accessible. If your cat is used to eating very early in the morning, they may wake you in the middle of the night out of hunger. Try feeding them wet food right before bed, rather than first thing in the morning. This may keep a cat satiated through the evening so they won’t wake you with their hunger howls. Similarly, sometimes cats begin to meow in protest if there is a change in routine. For example, if a cat is used to sleeping in a certain room, a closed door can elicit loud protests. Also, if their litter box is unavailable or has not been cleaned, cats will communicate their displeasure in the form of late night lamentations.
Cats also tend to keep to a fairly strict schedule for being four-legged domestic animals, that is. If their owner wakes at a certain time during the week for work, a cat will set their internal clocks to add a chorus to an alarm clock. This is charming during the week, but early Sunday serenades from Fluffy get annoying after a while. A possible solution is to temporarily wake up long enough to feed the cat, before going back to sleep. Another solution is to invest in a white noise machine or earplugs to drown out the sound of a cat’s persistent meowing. Teaching a cat that you will always respond to their midnight meowing is not advised. Provided you have created an environment where their emotional and physical needs are met, training a cat to know you will reward their persistence often ends up with disastrous results.
Cats can also suffer from anxiety, like humans can. There are even some medications on the market used for cats, such as very small doses of Valium. If you are uncomfortable with medication, try a natural remedy such as Bach’s Flower Remedies. One recommendation is Rescue Remedy by Bach. It is a tincture placed by a dropper in an animal’s mouth. It is all natural and helps to bring about a sense of calm. Cat owners can use it too in order to help remain calm through their cat’s persistent night meowing. Ask your veterinarian before giving your cat any medication.
Lastly, consider there may be something medically wrong with your cat if the meowing has come about suddenly, or sounds drastically different than their usual meowing. Something could be paining your cat, and they may be trying to communicate that through their meows. Remember that meowing is the way your cat communicates with you, so a medical exam could be beneficial to finding a solution. Cats can be invaluable companions, but they can also puzzle and downright frustrate their owners. However, nighttime meowing is very common and in many cases, can be remedied.
