Our feline friends try to be mysterious, but they know exactly how to attract attention. The question is: do we know what they want? A cat that meows at night can’t wait to wake you up for something specific, so let’s break down the cat’s communication code.
Why do cats meow at night?
Cats have specific body language, and if you look (and listen!) closely, you’ll learn a lot about their moods, emotions, and desires.
For example, spraying or marking often indicates that your cat is feeling stressed or threatened, especially by other cats or a change in their environment. A tail wrapped around your leg means your cat is affectionate and trusting (various tail wags tell you a lot!). Even when he’s just following you, he’s yelling about something, like he’s not feeling well or thinking what. what you do is entertaining. Cats, after all.
So why does your cat meow at night? Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, is an animal behavior specialist, owner of Behavior Solutions and member of the Daily Paws Advisory Board. She simply says they need you.
“Cats meow for a variety of reasons, but primarily they are looking for attention, food, or play from their owners,” she tells Daily Paws. “They also do this if they are distressed, confused or worried.”
Think about how some people talk nervously when they are upset about something. Kittens can do it too, and they really hope you understand. Common feline stressors include moving, illness, and behavioral changes as they age. “If this is a new behavior for your cat, especially an older cat, please take your cat to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical problems, especially painful conditions, thyroid disease and, in older cats, cognitive decline,” says Sinn.
Growing your family with a kitten, dog, or baby can also confuse your cat, making him more likely to meow at night and even make meows and other cat noises when he’s trying to figure out what’s going on.
Sinn says it’s also possible that if your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, it will call or howl looking for a partner and/or warn off competitors. If you think this is the case, arrange a veterinary consultation to discuss next steps.
How to stop a cat from meowing all night
It is important to determine the specific cause why your cat is crying at night. However, there is a fine line between adjusting behavior with positive reinforcement… and making it worse.
“For example, if the reason is attention seeking, then responding to the cat’s meows will only make it more likely that the cat will bother you at night,” says Sinn. It’s not that cats are manipulative, but they respond to our training signals. Insist that you’ll leave your warm, comfy bed every time they call you and, well, that’s why they think they’re our benevolent overlords.
So turn on your cat antenna the next time your cat won’t stop meowing at night and listen to its signals:
Does your cat run to the food or treat cupboard as soon as he sees you? “Use a feeder timed for a midnight snack if the cat is bothering you because it wants food,” says Sinn. “Or come up with a food puzzle that will last all night.”
When you turn on the lights, do they move the zoom lenses or the flip flops? It’s playtime! “Have a 15-minute play session about an hour before bed,” says Sinn. Some ideas might be running a feather up and down their cat tree, tossing a wadded ball on the floor, or using an interactive toy for fun bonding.
If your fuzzball just blinks or seeks immediate lap space, he may be bored and in need of companionship. “Give your cat attention when she is calm during the day and reward her calm behavior,” says Sinn. “And make sure their environment is enriched appropriately.” This could include better exercise options and challenging games.
