Let's start with bad news: cats are nocturnal. So it's no wonder that they demand our attention by loud meowing, especially at night when they are at their best. But don't worry, cat owners can also enjoy peaceful nights. Because the good news is: Cats can learn to be calm at night. For this, however, it is important too, first of all, know the causes of the nocturnal misery.
Why do cats meow at night?
As so often there is not one reason why cats meow at night. Because as different as our house tigers are, the reasons for their nocturnal groaning are just as different. While some doze off peacefully and dream of the day's experiences, others pace restlessly through the apartment, scratching at doors and meowing heartbreakingly. And of course, there are also cat characters who are simply "chatterboxes" by nature and raise their voices more often than others, such as Siamese cats.
Cats want to tell us something by meowing. They don't use it because they just like to meow or because they want to deliberately prevent us from sleeping. Meowing is a proven way for cats to communicate with us bipeds. Because while adult cats communicate with each other primarily with body language, meowing is reserved for conversations between humans and cats. Cats quickly learn that their owners are often a bit “dumbfounded” when it comes to receiving physical signals and therefore - similar to how we humans do it with our language - use sounds to draw attention to themselves.
The most common causes of nocturnal complaints
Unfortunately, we humans do not always understand meowing and simply do not know what exactly our cat or tomcat wants to tell us with it. Sometimes it takes a lot of empathy, patience and a good deal of detective work to find out the reasons for the moaning, after all, every cat is different. But despite individual inclinations, habits, experiences, and needs, one of the following causes is often behind the nocturnal meowing:
- boredom
- hunger
- loneliness
- Stress and uncertainty
- habit
- Sickness or pain
- Hormone fluctuations
How do I teach my cat to be quiet at night?
As with the question of “why”, there is no general answer to this question that works for all cats. Because as different as the reasons for meowing at night can be, so are the means of preventing the nocturnal disturbance of the peace. If you suspect which of the above causes could apply to your pet, you have already taken the first step and can now try to take appropriate countermeasures. You can read about which these can be in the following tips:
Insecure and scared cat.
- Tips if the cat meows out of boredom:
While the cat is snoozing comfortably on your sofa during the day, does it suddenly turn up in the top form in the evening and at night and suddenly ask for a "program"?
This is nothing unusual, after all, cats are naturally most active during this time. The good thing is if you are with it during the day keep your house tiger busy enough, play with it, let it roam outside, or keep it on its toes with little hunting games, so it will be ready to rest for a few hours even at night. Just try out which game your cat can't get enough of. Whether balls of wool, balls, feather, laser pointer, flat water bowl, or something elseCat toys: There are hardly any limits to your creativity when it comes to keeping your cat busy. Just make sure that your velvet paw has another good workout in the evening before going to bed and enjoys your full attention.
If she does not sleep despite this evening action, you can also provide her cat with toys and activities for the night, such as fumbling boards or other things Intelligence toy that your cat can occupy itself with at night while you can continue to sleep in peace.
- Tips if the cat meows because it is hungry
Unlike humans or dogs, who should only eat one or two main meals a day, cats prefer to snack only in small portions in between, which is also good for your gastrointestinal system. If they haven't eaten much in the evening and are awake at night, it is of course only understandable that they ask for a small meal at night and therefore meows loudly.
However, in this case, you shouldn't jump out of bed immediately and take the Fill the cat bowl, because once your cat has learned to meow after Feed succeeds, she will probably try again and again.
Instead, feed your cat one more time just before going to bed and give her another small portion for the night that she can take herself as needed. Can also make sense a feeder or a fumbling board stocked with food, because they not only fill your cat but also keep them busy for a while while they can sleep in peace.
- Tips for when the cat meows because it is lonely
Some house cats feel lonely, especially at night when their caregiver is sleeping and the cat may not be allowed out. Especially Kittens that are full of energy and extremely playful do not like being alone at night.
Could remedy here be a second cat, because unlike them, it is also active at night and makes a great playmate. While the two little cats compete for their sofa or conquer the scratching post together, you can continue to sleep in the bedroom next door.
Even with older cats, socialization with a second fur nose can be a good solution for meowing at night. However, the prerequisite is that you plan the reunion of the two cats well in advance and proceed carefully. Otherwise, the arrival of a second four-legged friend could degenerate into a turf battle - and that would probably rob them of sleep in a different way.
- Tips if the cat meows because he is nervous, scared, or insecure
Cats are habituated animals and very sensitive when it comes to changes in their familiar surroundings. New furniture or even moving to a new house can make a cat deeply insecure. The strange surroundings, the new smells, and the unfamiliar noises frighten them. Peaceful sleep is of course unthinkable in this state and so she starts her loud lament instead.
Other events, such as the loud New Year's Eve rockets or just a new, strange-smelling carpet can frighten cats with their keen senses.
You must take your cat's worries seriously, without going into too much attention to your meowing cat at night - after all, this could again be understood as an invitation to loudly demand your affection again over the next few nights. Instead, give your cat a lot of love and attention - especially during the day. Play with her, stroke her fur, and let her take a nap on your lap. The door to your bedroom should not be locked at night either. Perhaps your cat can even sleep in your bed and find rest? If you don't want this, you can also set up a cozy sleeping place next to or under the bed or set up a cat hammock.
If your cat is still restless at night despite these measures, you can Bach flowers or special fragrance atomizers for the socket to provide relaxation. And for some cats, it should even help if a quiet radio is on at night and distracts them from the weird noises.
Caress your velvet paw.
- Tips if the cat meows out of habit
Of course, some cats only meow at night because they have gotten used to it. Especially when meowing has the desired effect, namely attracting your attention and making sure that you take care of your cat, that you stroke it or put its food down.
To avoid habitual meowing, it is best to ignore your cat at night, even if it is difficult. Even if your cat meows for a few more nights and robs you of sleep: at some point, she will notice that her meowing is pointless and stop using it.
That said, you should of course take your cat's meowing seriously. Especially if your cat has not shown this behavior before, you should consider what might have caused the nocturnal complaint. Was there an event that might have scared your cat? Have you been unable to look after them lately? Or have you changed the feeding times? If the nightly cat show is caused by stress, fear, or boredom, you may be able to help her with the tips above. If none of this applies, you should make an appointment with a vet, because illnesses or pain can also cause your cat to suffer at night and therefore meow loudly for help.
- Tips if the cat meows due to illness or pain
Many cats suffer quietly and hide pain as long as possible - this is in their nature because to survive their ancestors, the wild cats, were never allowed to show weakness. But pain often becomes unbearable at night (this is not much different in cats than in humans). Also, there is the darkness, the silence, the absence of their people, and the lack of distraction, so that many cats sometimes no longer know what to do but to meow loudly.
In addition to the psychological causes mentioned above, you should also always consider the physical complaints of your cat as a reason. Pain in internal organs, joints, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid or kidney failure as well as heart disease could lead to nocturnal restlessness. Possible age-related restrictions, such as the decline of certain senses (deafness, blindness), can frighten the cat so much that it meows at night. You should therefore always have your cat examined by a veterinarian. This is the only way to rule out disease as a cause.
- Tips if the cat meows for hormonal reasons
Especially with cats or tomcats who have not been neutered, the hormones sometimes just go through. At around six months of age, queens become sexually mature and experience their first heat. They are now ready to mate and demonstrate this state by walking restlessly to and fro, rubbing their heads on objects, rolling on the floor, increasingly marking, raising their tails, and increasingly meowing, hissing, or cooing. Even cats that have always been quiet at night suddenly meow loudly when they are in heat. At the same time, the sexually mature cats emit a scent that cats can smell over long distances thanks to their fine nose. Your hangover may suddenly become unbearable if a cat from the neighborhood is in heat. He will then do everything possible
The most effective remedy for this sexually motivated cat terror is certainly one Castration of the cat or the male. Neutered cats usually become calmer and lose interest in mating companions. The danger of permanent heat, which exists in cats if they are not covered during the heat, is also averted by castration.
If you would like to neuter your cat or tomcat, you should discuss this plan thoroughly with your veterinarian. He will advise you in detail about the right time, advantages, and possible side effects of castration.
Do I have to go to the vet with my cat because she meows at night?
Even if the nocturnal meowing is psychological in most cats, i.e. it can be traced back to boredom, insufficient demands, or loneliness, it cannot be ruled out that physical complaints are also behind it. If your cat suddenly changes its behavior, you should always have it examined by the vet first. Perhaps your darling is sick and needs medication or special food. And if the veterinarian diagnoses your cat in perfect health, that information alone will make you sleep better. You will now also be able to try out the above-mentioned measures against psychologically induced meowing with more serenity and patience.
However, if all of this does not help and the nocturnal misery just does not want to end, you should not hesitate to seek professional help from an experienced cat psychologist. After all, not only do you suffer from insomnia, your cat is probably also uncomfortable and wants to express a need with the strong meow that you should get to the bottom of.