Does Your Cat Keep You Up At Night?

As many cat owners know, our feline friends are naturally nocturnal and seem to become especially active at night. This behavior is particularly noticeable when you've been at work all day, come home late, and find that all your kitty wants to do is play. Your cat has likely been napping all day and is just starting their "day" as you're getting ready to go to sleep.

Rule Out Medical Problems First

If your cat restlessly paces around your house at night, meowing or crying, they may have an underlying medical issue that is causing them pain or discomfort. If this is the case, take your cat to the vet to rule out any medical problems, especially if your kitty meows excessively during both day and night. Once you have a clean bill of health from your vet, you can be more confident that there is a behavioral issue.

Below are some ways to calm your cat down at night so you can get some sleep:

Keep Your Cat Active During the Day

A cat that sleeps all day will likely be active at night. If you're home, engage your cat in play sessions using irresistible toys. Cats love toys with lights and beams, or you can throw a toy mouse for them to chase. Even simple items like a brown paper bag or a cardboard box can be favorites. Try sprinkling some catnip on these items and let the fun begin!

Provide Stimulation When You're Not Home

When you aren’t home to play with your cat, make sure they have stimulating activities. Leave out toys that encourage exploration and finding hidden treats. Consider a window perch so your cat can watch birds and outside activity. Leaving the television on an animal channel can also keep your cat entertained and awake during the day.

Try a play session with your cat right when you get home. If you can wear your kitty out, this will help tire you and more importantly, your cat.

Play with Your Cat Before Bed

Have a play session with your cat right when you get home. Wearing out your kitty will help tire them out, making them more likely to sleep through the night.

Consider Adopting a Second Cat

If you have a single-cat household, adopting a second cat can provide your cat with a playmate. This can enrich both cats' lives and help keep them more active during the day and more tired at night.

 Feed Your Cat Before Bed

Try to give your cat a big meal right before you want to go to bed. Cats will tend to sleep right after they eat a bigger meal. And then run them around a bit and the combination should work!

If your cat wakes you during the night for food, consider purchasing a timed feeder that dispenses food once or twice during the night. This way, your cat will learn to wait by the feeder instead of bothering you while you’re sleeping. If you decide to go this route, you need to make sure to adjust the other meal sizes accordingly during the day to prevent weight gain.

Do Not Give in to Bad Behavior

Don’t reward your cat’s bad behavior. If your cat pesters you during the night, getting up to address their needs reinforces the “bad” behavior. Even yelling at your cat is perceived as attention and will encourage your kitty to continue playing or meowing.  It is never productive to yell at your cat, but we all know that sleep deprivation can sometimes make us a bit don edge

Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment

Make sure your that cat has a comfortable and cozy sleeping environment. Provide a warm bed in a quiet area of the house, away from any disturbances. This can encourage your cat to settle down and sleep through the night. You can also try using calming pheromone diffusers or sprays to create a more relaxing atmosphere for your cat.

As with any new training method, consistency is key to get your kitty to continue to act the way you want.

With a little effort, patience and consistency, you should be able to get a good night's sleep while keeping your cat happy and healthy.