Some cats cry at night out of loneliness, boredom, or anxiety. Especially if you have been away at work all day, your cat needs interaction and companionship. Without one-on-one time your furry friend will become stressed and lonely, and he is likely to let it be known when you are right in the middle of REM sleep.
A cat’s night-time vocalizations are his way of signaling a need such as hunger, thirst, or loneliness. Once you figure out why your cat fusses at night, you will find it easier to calm him.
Before trying any of our 7 tips, be sure to take your cat to the vet. Like the rest of us, cats can cry because of illness or pain. If you have ruled out health issues, though, consider some of these tactics to stop your cat from meowing all night:
1. Reset your cat’s body clock.
Cats are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal (active at night). Even though cats are wired for activity at the same time you are snoozing in bed, you can reset your cat’s body clock with a little patience and diligenceIf your cat is a free feeder and grazes throughout the day, changing this behavior could prove a wee bit more challenging.
2. Provide essentials like food and water.
Middle-of-the-night meowing could be your cat’s way of letting you know she is hungry or thirsty. If you follow Galaxy’s advice to feed later in the evening, say around 9:30 p.m., nighttime crying for food should end. Make sure to fill your cat’s water bowl before turning in for the night, too. That way they are not calling out for a drink at 3 a.m.
3. Scoop the litter box before bed.
Cats prefer a fresh and clean litter box when they go about their business. So a dirty litter box could be the reason your cat is crying at night. Try scooping before bedtime so your furry friend has a clean place to do business. Aside from daily or twice daily scooping, your cat’s litter box should be dumped every week and the box washed out thoroughly with a safe, environmentally friendly cleaner. A glistening litter box will help keep your cat happy and quiet at night.
4. Give your kitty plenty of playtime and affection before bed.
Some cats cry at night out of loneliness, boredom, or anxiety. Especially if you’ve been away at work all day, your cat needs interaction and companionship. Without one-on-one time your furry friend will become stressed and lonely, and he is likely to let it be known when you’re right in the middle of REM sleep.
5. Use nightlights around your home to help senior cats with dementia or vision issues.
Being able to see their surroundings can help an elderly cat with visual problems or impaired cognitive function feel less fearful and more confident, which should help tone down night-time caterwauling.
6. Refrain from responding to your cat’s night-time meowing.
If your cat’s needs are being met and you suspect the night-time vocalizing is linked to his desire for your attention, ignore him. As hard as it might be, shrugging off the behavior with neither a hush nor an admonition will teach your cat that no amount of unnecessary meowing will get you out of bed.
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