Why Do Cats Meow At Night?
Does it feel like your cat is meowing at four in the morning, every day? Do you wake up to check on your cat only to find them chilling in a hallway, suddenly quiet? If you’re curious or even concerned about why your cat is meowing at night, The Refined Feline has some answers.
Cats will Meow If Bored
One simple reason your cat is meowing at night could be from boredom. Cats would hunt in the wild during dusk and dawn, so your house cat still has that hunting energy. If they don’t play enough and expel that energy before bedtime, they may wander around to find something interesting. They may be meowing to have someone to play with, whether it’s from another animal or from you.
Make sure you play with your cat as much as you can throughout the day to avoid this from happening. Cats typically need about half an hour to an hour’s worth of playtime, split up into smaller increments. You can also spoil your cat more cat toys in the house for nighttime play or add some cat shelves along your wall for cats to run around on. Getting enough exercise will help cats sleep more soundly and longer during the night.
Cats Meow If Hungry
If a cat is hungry, they certainly won’t feel remorse about asking for more, no matter what time it is. They will probably feel hungry throughout the night if they do not have free-feed access, and won’t be quiet about it either. Your cat may also paw at your face to get your attention, beyond meowing or yowling because they are “starving”. If your cat is attempting to get extra food out of the situation, try cutting up their last meal of the day. If you feed them either once or twice a day, splitting it up to spread out that food may satiate them more. If their dinner is split, they will get a small amount that will (hopefully) keep them full until morning. This way they’ll be full without you adding any more food to their diet.
Cats Meow for Attention
Similar to boredom, a cat may simply want your attention for a variety of reasons. They may have already tried waking you up by pawing at you or scratching the door without success. It doesn’t matter if the attention is positive or negative if a cat knows they got you looking, so they will try anything to wake you up. There are true life or death occurrences when cats are waking you for some danger within the house, but that’s usually not the norm. Your cat may not be seeking play, but may want your affection, cuddles, or contact in some way. If you think this is the case, your feline may be feeling ignored during the daytime. Especially before bed, try to spend some extra time snuggling with them.
Cats Meow when in Pain or Stress
A cat may yowl or nearly scream, but this doesn’t always mean it’s stress or pain related. You should still be taking note of any sudden changes in your cat, such as any random meowing at night. These can still be signs of pain instead of boredom if the behavior comes with mood changes or eating less. Cats can quickly experience stress if their schedule changes or there’s been an environment change. This stress will be expressed through meowing, sometimes while wandering around the house or hiding. It’s best to have them checked out by your vet if you have any concerns over their meowing or your cat’s behavior.
Cats Meow more as they Age
Old age can bring about added vocalization in your cat, not just stress and pain. Your cat’s eyesight or hearing could be diminishing. To find out where you went, they could be meowing for guidance as they could be disoriented or confused. Some medical conditions, like hyperthyroidism, can be the culprit of your cat’s increased vocalization. More signs of this condition, besides the added vocalizations, is eating and drinking more yet losing weight.
If it appears as though your feline’s health is varying, you should take your cat to the vet. Even if you believe it to be a behavioral change, there could be a medical reason behind it. Sometimes, because of an underlying medical condition, a cat’s behavior will drastically change.
Cats Meow for lots of Different Reasons
Every day, pay attention to your cat’s personality so you can decide why they’re meowing when they do. It may be something as simple as needing more attention or extra food. It could also be from your cat starting to age and needing guidance. Hopefully now, you can better determine the reason behind your cat’s meowing so that you can both enjoy a good night’s sleep.