What Causes My Cat To Meow At Night?

Hearing a cat meow at night is not uncommon; nevertheless, if you are a cat owner and your cat is meowing at night, you should be concerned.

If your cat meows at night, also known as night vocalization or night calls, it might be a concern if it indicates their distress or disturbs your sleep. Continue reading to learn more about why your cat may be extra vocal at night.

Cats are well-known for being night owls. They seem to start rushing around the house the moment we turn off the light, like the cat version of dog Zoomies. They may meow a lot while they are getting up for their nighttime shenanigans. And, on occasion, your sobbing cat can be highly disruptive and prevent you from receiving much-needed slumber.

If your feline pal does this and you're wondering why my cat meow at night and what I can do about it, you're not alone. We have the answers to all of your inquiries! Purina has put together this guide to inform you everything you need to know.

What causes cats to meow at night?

Your cat may meow at night if they are bored, unstimulated, lonely, or just want to go outside. If your cat continues to cry at night despite plenty of playtimes, thyroid or kidney illness should be considered.

6 common reasons for your cat's nighttime crying and what to do about it

It's reasonable to be curious about why your cat yowls at night if you have one. There are six possible explanations for your cat's behavior, which include:

1. Cats are more active at night by nature

Your cat's nighttime wailing could be due to the fact that cats are naturally more active at particular times of the night. Although it is widely assumed that cats are nocturnal, this is not precisely correct. They are, however, crepuscular, which means they are most active at dark and dawn. Although many cats adapt to their owners' routines, this crepuscular inclination implies that your cat may be unusually active in the early hours of the morning, when the rest of the world is sleeping.

Younger cats are more likely to be active at night since their instincts tell them that this is the best time to hunt. However, as they age, their rhythm will most likely adapt to that of the rest of the household, which should result in less cat meowing at night.

2. Your cat could be bored or uninterested

Cats may cry at night just because they are bored - or because they haven't exhausted themselves throughout the day. engaged play before bedtime, as well as trying to keep their minds engaged and joyful during the day, may assist to ensure that they are more tired out at night. Your cat meowing at night may be an attention-seeking behavior.

Although it is necessary to care for your cat's needs, repeatedly agreeing with their requests for attention may lead to them asking for it more regularly, so if this is a frequent occurrence, try not to give in too often.

If you have an indoor cat with no access to outdoor space, you'll need to create plenty of time for play throughout the day, or else they'll be a little put out when you go to bed, resulting in your cat yowling at night. With our handy guide, you can learn more about cerebral stimulation for your indoor cat.

3. Hyperthyroidism or renal disease

If your cat is frequently meowing at night, it's a good idea to see a vet to check on their health. This is due to the fact that excessive vocalization, even at night, might be an indication of thyroid or kidney problems in cats.

4. A sign of aging if your cat is a senior citizen

Cats, like all of us, can be affected by aging. Your cat may become disoriented as they age due to the effects of aging on the brain. CDS (Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome) is caused by the effect of aging on a cat's brain and can cause a range of symptoms, one of which is meowing at night.

5. Outdoor cats may feel confined.

If your cat is an outdoor cat during the day and you keep them indoors at night, they are probably weeping because they are imprisoned. If it is safe, consider building a cat flap and allowing them out at night so they can burn off energy outside.

6. Yowling could be a mating call.

Many of us have heard incredibly loud screeching and cats' yowling at night, which can be the sound of mating.

This is a natural process, however, we strongly advise that both male and female cats be neutered to decrease the number of unwanted kittens. Not to add that it will silence the yowling!

Your cat may be wailing at night for a variety of causes, ranging from boredom to old age and even ailments such as thyroid problems. Whatever the cause of your cat's nighttime yowls, you should not disregard it.

Your cat is trying to tell you something, but owners aren't always sure what it is.

What can be done to stop a cat from weeping at night?

As always, the first port of call should be the vet's office to ensure that your cat is not physically ill. They are also likely to be able to provide you with advice on how to lessen your cat's nocturnal meowing. Keeping your cat busy during the day and feeding them later in the evening to keep them satiated at night, on the other hand, may have a good impact.

It might be difficult to determine what our pets require from us. Check out our cat body language article to learn how to read your cat's body language and tell how they're feeling.