Why Does My Cat Meow at Night?

It’s 3am, the house is quiet, and your cat has decided it’s the perfect time for a concert. Night-time meowing is one of the most common cat complaints, and luckily, one of the most fixable.

Why cats meow at night

• Natural rhythm: cats are most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey would be out.
• Boredom: a cat who sleeps all day has energy to burn at night.
• Hunger: many cats wake you because they’ve learnt it brings breakfast.
• Attention: if meowing gets you up, they’ll keep doing it.
• Hormones: unsterilised cats call loudly when looking for a mate.
• Age: older cats can become confused or anxious at night.

What really helps

1. Play hard before bed. 10 to 15 minutes with a wand toy, letting them chase, pounce and “catch”.
2. Then feed dinner. Hunt, eat, groom, sleep is a cat’s natural rhythm.
3. Don’t respond to night meows. No food, no talking. It’s tough, but it stops the habit.
4. Keep days interesting with toys, a window perch and play, so they sleep more at night.
5. Use a timed feeder if early-morning hunger is the issue.
6. Sterilise your cat, which ends mating calls and has big health benefits.

When to speak to a vet

If the night-time crying is new, your cat seems confused, restless or in pain, or is eating and drinking much more than usual, see your vet. Older cats in particular can have health issues, like an overactive thyroid, that make them noisy at night.

The heart of it

Your cat isn’t trying to ruin your sleep. They’re following instincts that are thousands of years old. A good game and a full tummy at bedtime can turn your little night owl into a cosy sleeping companion.