All cat parents indeed love their little ones madly. Every new trick, every display of affection, even the tender way they play and sleep, makes us sigh with pride and love. But, it’s also a reality that from time to time, or sometimes very often, certain attitudes drive us a little (or very) crazy, either because the cat is so independent that it doesn’t understand any rules or because the little fur ball is very needy and can’t seem to stop meowing. A cat meowing at night is one of the most common attitudes that can create problems.
Some of us have had to deal with a cat that, during the day, appears to be very lovely and quiet, but at night seems to be giving full concerts to the whole neighborhood. We know that the cat is a nocturnal animal by nature, but why do cats meow at night and have to be so noisy?
If your cat meows nonstop when everyone is sleeping, I suggest you explore this article, where I will tell you the reasons and, most importantly, the solutions to this minor but very annoying defect of your beloved cat.
Why does my cat meow at night? 4 top reasons
It’s important to remember there isn’t only 1 reason for a cat’s nighttime serenades. There are many reasons why your cat may be meowing at night. If you’re wondering why cats meow at night, read them all and see which one fits your cat’s environment better.
Here are the most common reasons:
1. Your nocturnal cat is bored
Although cats sleep approximately 16 hours a day, they don’t sleep straight through; they take naps after a nap, which is why they don’t sleep all night as we do. Now imagine you are very friendly and talkative and have to spend 6 or 8 hours in silence every night, lying in bed and looking at the ceiling. How boring, right? Well, that could be happening to your cat.
Cats get bored quickly, so an awake cat must be playing or watching something entertaining. Otherwise, it will complain. If your cat meows a lot at night, it may be calling for your attention, petting and play sessions, or maybe even food to eliminate the dreadful boredom.
Solution
If you want your cat to go to bed at the same time as you and spend more time sleeping rather than meowing, try to keep her awake during the day, so your cat will be tired at night. This effort will take several days, but trust me, it is possible to adjust your cat’s sleep routine, especially when she is a kitten.
And, of course, the cat will wake up at some point, so we suggest playing with the cat for at least 20 minutes before going to sleep. This way, when the cat wakes up, she won’t feel like she hasn’t played or interacted with you for so long. Another golden tip is to leave her toys handy for her to entertain himself as soon as he wakes up.
2. Your cat has mating needs
It sounds funny, but the reality is that, no, your cat doesn’t have mating needs. A female or male cat can live an entire life without needing to bring more cats into the world. What is true is that an unsterilized cat will instinctively seek to mate when she is in heat or when a female cat in her environment is in heat.
If you let your cat out at night or have male and female cats indoors and hear a thunderous howl, they are probably mating.
Solution
Vets strongly recommend spaying or neutering your cat as early as possible. The safe age is six months, although some people spay or neuter as young as four months. Early sterilization prevents unwanted pregnancies, avoids contributing to the overpopulation of homeless cats, and, in many ways, protects your cat.
3. Your cat wants to go out
Cats used to roam freely, and they will always enjoy the outdoors much more than indoors. If you tend to bring your cat indoors at night, he will probably want to escape, and if he can’t, he will tend to meow in protest, hoping you will stop and let him out again.
Solution
Suppose you have already decided that the best option is to let your cat out. Besides advising you to find out how to avoid the risks of letting your cat roam freely in the street, I recommend installing at least one cat flap, so your cat can get in and out without asking you to open the door. And if you’re worried about another animal getting in, chip-operated cat flaps only open when your cat’s collar is nearby.
4. Your cat may have a medical condition
In this area, the possibilities are endless, but let’s focus on the three most likely ones. If a cat meows a lot at night, it may be because it is older and may feel disoriented at night, even more so if it is lonely. It may also have muscle or joint pains, which are aggravated by the cold of the night or by the lying down position.
The second possible cause is an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, accompanied by rapid weight loss and mood swings. At the same time, the third condition is kidney disease, which also significantly affects your pet’s quality of life.
Solution
For all three cases, the recommendation is to visit the vet as soon as possible to help you treat your cat’s illness and give suggestions on how to take care of him at home.
If your cat is older, in addition to the vet’s recommendations, don’t forget to respect your cat’s limits and always fill him with love. That will be his best multivitamin.
Cat meowing at night: The bottom line
We usually don’t have to worry if our cat meows a lot at night, but it is always important to pay attention to decipher what our cat wants to tell us. If you are worried your cat may have an illness and is meowing because it is in pain, don’t think twice and ask your veterinarian.
If you think your cat only meows to get what he wants, another golden tip is not to let your cat manipulate you because they are experts. Once their trick works, they will not stop using it to achieve their goals.
Do you have a cat that meows at night? What do you think is the reason? Tell us in the comments!