Cats meow to communicate, with each other and with us. Nonetheless, if your cat is crying through the night you may well be concerned, especially if this is a new behaviour. You may also be wondering how to reclaim your sleep! So, let’s take a look at why cats cry at night, and what we can do about it.
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Why is my cat yowling at night?
Cats tend to be more active at certain times of the night, so it’s not really surprising that they are often more vocal at night too. However, it’s important to try and figure out why your cat is meowing at night, as it can indicate that something is wrong. Finding the cause will also help you to find a solution, so that you can all get a good night’s rest again.
So what are the five main reasons?
Medical conditions
If your cat cries at night, especially if this is a new behaviour, then the first thing you should do is take them for a health check at your vets. There are certain medical conditions that can cause a cat to yowl, especially at night. Common examples, especially in middle age to senior cats, include hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and pain. Don’t forget that younger cats may also cry at night due to pain or illness, for example cystitis.
Cognitive dysfunction
As cats age they can suffer with cognitive dysfunction, like dementia. This can cause them to feel confused and disorientated. Cats with cognitive dysfunction will often cry at night. They may feel insecure once everyone has gone to bed, or they may be struggling with poor night vision.
Hormones
Cats on heat (in oestrus) will make a distinctive mating call. It’s quite an alarming sound, and it’s common for first-time cat parents to think their cat is in pain when they first hear it! Cats become sexually mature from around 4 months of age. So if your female kitten is crying at night, they may well be in season. Entire male cats may cry at night when looking for a mate too.
Territorial reasons
Cats are very territorial creatures and will often defend their territory at all costs. Since cats tend to be more active at night, it follows that they will be on high alert for intruders then too. Cats will often make a loud yowling noise to fend off any unwanted visitors, before escalating to an actual fight if the warning goes unheeded.
Boredom
Cats can get bored too! If they haven’t had enough physical or mental activity during the day, they may well be raring to go at night. Cats tend to be most active at dusk and dawn. So they may well cry from boredom if they have nothing to occupy them at these times. This is especially true of cats who are outdoor cats but are kept inside at night.
So, now you know why your cat might be crying at night, you’re probably wondering what you can do about it!
How do I get my cat to stop yowling at night?
Well, most importantly, you need to take your cat for a health check with your vet. It’s crucial that they rule out cognitive dysfunction and medical reasons for the meowing at night, before you try anything else. The sooner a condition is diagnosed, (usually) the better it can be managed or treated.
If your kitten is young and hormones seem to be the culprit, then it’s time to have a chat with your vet about neutering! This will also prevent unwanted pregnancies, and can decrease the chance of fighting and roaming. Cats can be neutered from around 4 months old (and sometimes sooner).
If your cat is territorial and kept inside at night, then you could try closing the curtains so they can’t see any unwanted intruders. Pheromone plug-ins can also be helpful for calming anxiety at night. If they are crying outside, I’m afraid there isn’t much you can do about that!
If you’ve ruled out all the other reasons and feel your cat may be bored, then you could try playing with them before you go to bed, to tire them out. You could also try rotating cat toys that you leave out each night. Your cat may also benefit from a snack before you head to bed, so they aren’t crying out of hunger.
Take-home message?
If your cat is crying at night, this may be a normal and natural behaviour. However, crying at night can also be caused by several medical conditions. So, if your cat starts meowing at night, call your vets to schedule a health check, to be on the safe side.
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