With the arrival of the night, Our furry friend shows himself more active than usual. He walks from one room to another, occasionally he feels like running quickly for a few moments, or he may even have the urge to throw something on the floor, which he will not do because he is rebellious but to get our attention.
The feline tries to tell us something, but sometimes it's hard to understand him. That's when we wonder why does my cat meow at night, and what we can do to rest it.
Being awakened at dawn is not a pleasant feeling, but when you have a cat it is something that can happen, especially if it is not neutered. Why? Because these animals are from crepuscular habits, that is, they remain active from dusk to dawn. During those hours, if they were in their natural habitat or on the street, what they would do is explore their territory and go in search of a partner if it is mating season.
The problem is that The furry ones we have at home often cannot go outside. and less at night, so they will do everything possible to get our attention so that we can get them let's open the door.
Obviously, you shouldn't pay attention to themOtherwise, we could end up having to care for an unwanted litter of cats, or, in the worst-case scenario, we'd have a beloved cat... and lost. But what can we do to stop him from meowing at night? Is there a trick to get it to rest until dawn?
The truth is that yes. The first thing I always recommend is sterilize the cat or the cat (or both, if you have both). It's a surgical procedure that veterinarians perform daily. Afterward, the animals will recover quickly and won't go into heat again, nor, of course, produce unwanted litters. Furthermore, behavior often changes: They tend to become calmer and more sedentary, and if they go outside, you will soon see that they do not stray as far as before.
And my second and last advice is that you tire them. The trick to getting them to sleep at night is to tire them out during the day, so you have to take advantage of those times they are awake to play with them, either with a feather duster, a ball, a rope or by giving them a cardboard box.
Nighttime meows: what they're telling you
Meowing is a means of communication Effective with humans. Adult cats understand each other primarily through body language, but with us They vocalize to ask for something (attention, food, help). Some breeds and certain individuals are more talkative than others, and if the meow works To get what they want, they will tend to repeat it.
Common causes of nighttime meowing
- hungry or thirsty: Cats prefer to eat small portions several times a day and may demand food in the early morning.
- Dirty or inaccessible litter box: if it is not clean or difficult to get to, they will manifest it meowing.
- Boredom and lack of stimulation: Too much pent-up energy results in nocturnal activity and vocalization.
- Loneliness or need for company: some cats demand social contact when the house falls silent.
- Fear, stress or insecurity: noises, storms or fireworks may disturb them.
- Custom and learned expectations: if ever you got up to attend to him, you can repeat the strategy; even daytime harness walks can generate anticipation of going out and increase nighttime frustration if not managed well.
- pain or illness: joint or organ problems, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure or heart disease may increase vocalization.
- Hormones: in unsterilized animals, heat is triggered powerful calls and search for a partner.
- Age and disorientation: in older cats it may exist cognitive impairment, vision/hearing loss and nighttime anxiety.
What to do in each case (practical measures)
Hunger or food routine
Offers a small portion before bedtime and leave fresh water. Consider a automatic feeder or an intelligence board so he can eat and entertain himself without waking you up. Avoid reinforcing the meow with food on demand.
Important: control portions to prevent overweightWeigh the food and monitor its body condition.
Boredom and activation
Schedule sessions of physical and mental game during the day and just before bed (dusters, balls, interactive toys). Leave safe toys available at night. You set the pace, don't respond to every meow with play.
Loneliness and attachment
reinforces the daytime bonding with pampering and routines. Consider allowing him/her sleep in your room or close (bed next to yours or hammock), or keep the door ajar if it helps. In suitable homes, a second cat can provide company after a correct introduction.
Fear, stress and insecurity
Identify triggers and reduces stimuli (turns off lights with sensor, attenuates noise). Test feline pheromones in a diffuser or spray, and leave a radio at low volume if it works for your cat. Avoid punishment; calm and coherence are key. Check how they react to sound, as their hearing sensitivity (see how cats hear) can aggravate anxiety.
Custom and expectations
If vocalization was consolidated by previous attention, apply extinction: do not look, do not speak, do not touch while meowing, reinforcing the silence with attention when he is calm. If you take walks with a harness, fixed schedule structure and not just before nightfall so as not to trigger demand.
Hormones
La sterilization reduces mate seeking, marking, and vocalization associated with heat. It is a preventative health measure and improves coexistence.
Pain, illness and age
In the event of sudden changes, signs of pain, apathy, loss of appetite, changes in urine/feces, visit the vetIn senior cats, it helps leave a dim light in transit areas, predictable routines, and gentle enrichment; if there is cognitive dysfunction, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment.
When to go to the vet
Check if the meow appears suddenly, if there are other symptoms (limping, vomiting, weight loss, changes in behavior), if it is a cat Most or if none of the above It works. With your health clearance in order, you'll be able to apply the behavior guidelines with more confidence.
Sleeping well with a cat is possible: combining play and meal routine before bed, avoiding reinforcing meows, keeping the litter box spotless, managing the environment and consulting the vet when appropriate, most homes recover rest without punishment or tension.
