{"id":12678,"date":"2022-12-12T07:51:57","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T07:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=12678"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:35:05","slug":"why-does-my-cat-meow-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-does-my-cat-meow-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Cat Meow at Night and How to Stop It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why does my cat meow at night<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n

This question plagues many cat owners whose sleep schedules have been disrupted because their kitty gets more vocal once it\u2019s time for bed. As common as this is, it\u2019s not exactly a pleasant experience. Most of the time, <\/span>cat noises<\/span> at night are completely harmless\u2014but sometimes, there might be more to it than you think.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Does My Cat Meow at Night<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though much of the way that cats communicate is through <\/span>body language<\/span>, meowing is their way of signaling to their owners that something is upsetting them or they need some attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Felines are generally not super feisty when interacting with humans, but they\u2019re not afraid to show when they’re in distress. Here\u2019s why that could be happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats Are Natural Night Owls<\/span><\/h3>\n

So, \u201c<\/span>why won\u2019t my cat stop meowing<\/span>,\u201d you ask? The felines are inherently more active during certain hours of the night. Despite being commonly labeled as nocturnal animals, that\u2019s not entirely true. In fact, a more accurate term would be <\/span>crepuscular<\/span>, meaning they usually go about their business at dusk or dawn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though sometimes these creatures tend to sync up with their owners’ routines, they generally go back to their roots and are out and about when the rest of the family is asleep. This might be a more common sight for younger felines, as their genetic instincts and <\/span>body clock<\/span> are more vigorous, and they need some time to get used to domestic life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boredom or Lack of Stimulation<\/span><\/h3>\n

You know how it is\u2014we all get cranky now and then when things don\u2019t go our way, or someone doesn\u2019t respond to our texts. We all have different ways of showing our disappointment, and a <\/span>cat meowing at night<\/span> is exactly how you\u2019d know this is the case for a feline.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key here is to tire your kitty out just before bedtime. Take the time to cater to its needs and keep its mind active. It\u2019s not uncommon for cats to turn to <\/span>vocalizations<\/span> in times of loneliness, boredom, and <\/span>separation <\/b>anxiety<\/b>. It\u2019s up to you to mitigate those effects by getting plenty of one-on-one time with your four-legged friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Granted, meowing could also signify <\/span>hunger<\/span> or <\/span>thirst<\/span>, especially if it\u2019s been a while since their last meal. Make sure you have <\/span>some treats<\/b><\/a> nearby that they can munch on throughout the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Natural Sign of Ageing<\/span><\/h3>\n

Age can catch up with all of us and there\u2019s no reason why cats would be any different. If you\u2019ve had your kitty for a while and it\u2019s only meowing at night, it might <\/span>just be getting old<\/b><\/a>. As much as we hate to see our pets tip the age scale, it\u2019s a natural and imminent process that happens to all breeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

As cats age, their brains become disoriented and they may have trouble navigating space and time. This is closely connected to <\/span>Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome<\/span>, a common condition that affects older felines. Their cognitive decline is marked by a number of abnormal behaviors, including confusion, wandering, <\/span>dementia<\/span>, limited interaction with others, and\u2014you guessed it\u2014meowing at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Feeling of Being Trapped<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your <\/span>cat is crying at night,<\/span> it might be feeling confined in your home. This is particularly true for outdoor cats that normally have the freedom to roam outside during the day but are brought inside by the time the sun sets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to mention that cats are usually more alert and scan for intruders once it gets dark outside, so they might be apprehensive when you bring them indoors. This change might be upsetting for our furry friends, which is why many begin to meow to express their feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Mating Call<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many of us have heard cats meowing more frequently during a specific time of the year as a way to attract potential partners for mating. Sometimes, this is a much louder and more dominant sound than regular meowing, which is why the term <\/span>yowling<\/span><\/i> was coined to describe this phenomenon better.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is an entirely normal process, and there\u2019s absolutely no cause for concern. The mating period usually lasts from February to October each year, with females experiencing shorter cycles every 2\u20133 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thyroid Disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now, this is where things start to get a little tricky. Your <\/span>cat meowing in the middle of the night<\/span> could be a sign of thyroid issues. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, may cause cats to become restless and have excess energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

This kind of overstimulation of the nervous system makes felines turn to meowing as a way to cope. And because the thyroid is so close to their larynx, you might even notice their meows sounding different or more muffled than usual. If that\u2019s the case, you should head out to your vet to get a proper diagnosis and recommended course of treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kidney Disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Similarly, if your pet\u2019s kidneys aren\u2019t functioning properly, it\u2019s likely to let you know by meowing. In situations like that, their organs aren\u2019t effectively removing toxins from the body, which could imminently lead to a build-up and some severe consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that you\u2019d likely see other accompanying symptoms to help you confirm that the kidneys are the issue. If your kitty has dull or sunken eyes, uncontrollable bowel movements, increased body odor, lack of appetite, and weight loss, then it might be time to take action and get its kidneys back in shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Stop a Cat from Meowing All Night<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on the cause of your pet\u2019s meowing, you can take appropriate measures to minimize their discomfort and help them settle in for the night. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the few steps you can take:<\/span><\/p>\n

Set Up a Routine<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like it or not, we\u2019re all creatures of habit. What we\u2019re used to doing daily brings us comfort unlike anything else, and even we\u2019re often uneasy when the time comes to switch things up. Establish a daily routine with your kitty, with enough playtime activities and snuggles as well as some napping and quality me-time.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the evening rolls around, your cat won\u2019t have the energy to meow the whole time, and you can get some well-deserved sleep. You can also implement <\/span>training cues<\/span> and <\/span>ball<\/span> playtime activities to ease them into the schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Older Cats More Comfortable<\/span><\/h3>\n

Old age is certainly not a pleasant time and cats are no different. Apart from the aforementioned <\/span>cognitive decline<\/span>, they might experience hearing loss or <\/span>vision issues<\/span>. Both conditions can impair their quality of life and make them feel distressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on your pet\u2019s current condition, your vet might recommend certain eye care products or hearing aids to help improve their symptoms\u2014some owners choose an <\/span>alternative care such as CBD oil<\/b><\/a>. You can also play your part by keeping your kitty nearby throughout the day. Spending time with the family will help reassure your cat that it\u2019s in a safe and comfortable environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Add Some Changes at Home<\/span><\/h3>\n

Since outdoor cats might have trouble being at home for extended periods of time, consider installing a cat flap on your front door. This will give them unlimited access to the outdoors, allowing them to come and go as they please.<\/span><\/p>\n

This puts some of the control back in their hands\u2014or paws, if you will\u2014and could make them feel more at ease when it\u2019s time to go inside. They can do so on their own accord and stay in for as long as they like.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Should I Ignore My Cat Meowing at Night<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not giving in to your cat\u2019s antics might be the first step towards finding a solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

If all other medical conditions have been ruled out and it\u2019s been established that your pet wants nothing more than to get your attention, show them that meowing at night won\u2019t get them very far. Before you know it, they\u2019ll stop using this tactic as a means to spend more time with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n

All in all, most pet parents wondering, \u2018why does my cat meow at night?\u2019 can rest assured that it\u2019s likely just a force of habit or some other natural cause rather than an <\/span>illness<\/span>. But even so, you should visit your vet just to rule out potential health issues and ensure a happy and healthy kitty for many days to come.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why does my cat meow at night? This question plagues many cat owners whose sleep schedules have been disrupted because their kitty gets more vocal once it\u2019s time for bed. As common as this is, it\u2019s not exactly a pleasant experience. Most of the time, cat noises at night are completely harmless\u2014but sometimes, there might […]<\/p>\n

Read More… from Why Does My Cat Meow at Night and How to Stop It<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":12679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12678\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}