It is completely natural for a cat to stay awake at night. Like all predators, it has the ability to see perfectly in the dark. Therefore, when in the dark she tries to attack your legs, she does this not out of harm, but following her hunting instincts. But, if these actions can still be explained, then finding the reason why the cat yells at night does not seem to be such a simple matter.
Moreover, if during the day this seemingly sweetest pet strives to rub against your legs, purrs and caresses. And the positive influence of cats on the nervous system of their owners has long been proven - they calm and heal with just their appearance. But to what extent they are able to drive these same owners with their heart-rending screaming at night! Even the thick walls of the apartment cannot save you and even the strongest nerves cannot withstand. Some people claim that castration solves the problem, but this is not true. Even when castrated and properly fattened after that, a cat can howl in a bad voice in the middle of the night.
But, in fact, there is a logical explanation for this cat behavior. Moreover, it can manifest itself not only at night, but also during the day.
The main reasons why cats get restless at night, why do they scream?
If we are talking about uncastrated cats and unsterilized cats, then at such moments their natural desire to reproduce prevails. Therefore, with such cries, representatives of the cat family invite potential soul mates, informing them of their readiness to reproduce.
It may happen that the animal screams because of illness or some kind of ailment that causes him suffering. For older cats, this could be a nervous disorder or Alzheimer's syndrome. Abdominal pain can plague animals of any age. And this can be understood by feeling the pet’s belly - its hardness will clearly indicate that this is the cause of concern. In a cat that has always been calm and suddenly begins to exhibit similar behavior, the cause may be common worms.
Urolithiasis bothers older animals, manifesting itself most strongly after it relieves itself. A clear confirmation of this is the cat's anxiety and screams after he leaves the tray. Neutered cats who have had part of their ovary retained may also experience anxiety and screaming.
Kittens suffering from lack of attention and trying to demand a treat or game from their owner also scream. Moreover, having received what they want, they very quickly remember the method by which they can achieve what they want and use it again and again. In addition, a kitten that has been weaned from its mother and just brought into a new home can behave very restlessly. He may refuse to eat, walk everywhere and scream, calling for his mother. If a kitten screams at night, then over time he will get used to it, adapt and stop such screams.
Also, a cat's screams can mean anxiety. It’s not for nothing that cats’ so-called sixth sense is so acute that since ancient times people have used them to predict various natural disasters, such as earthquakes. The pet's anxiety in this case may have the purpose of warning the owner about something. But such behavior, of course, is not observed every day, but only occasionally.
The possessive nature of cats forces them to mark their territory to prevent other animals from claiming it. But in order to reinforce the marks with more eloquent actions, cats declare their rights with such loud cries.
How to tell if your pet is afraid
All frightened animals behave the same way. Their fear manifests itself through a set of the following external signs:
- pressing the ears to the head;
- fluffing or pinching of the tail between the hind legs;
- arching your back and freezing in place;
- a plaintive meow or a threatening hiss;
- attempts to run away or hide in a dark place;
- compulsive licking;
- change in appetite (refusal to eat or uncontrollable eating);
- relieving yourself past the tray;
- being pulled out of hands when trying to hug;
- sudden jumping up upon direct contact with an irritant.
Much of the above coincides with signs of aggression. This similarity is explained by the fact that the best defense is an attack.
What else is connected with the fact that the cat does not let you sleep at night?
Banal boredom can also bring an animal to such a state that it will annoy those around it with its screams. This can happen if the other day the owner, for example, just let his cat out for a walk in the yard, without having the intention of doing this regularly. Having appreciated such a wonderful walk, the animal quite logically begins to demand it again and again. Moreover, it’s boring to sit in an apartment, and there are so many interesting things to do outside. So the cat performs a “concert” under the door.
A person is accustomed to thinking that he is the one in control of everything, but we should not forget that pets have their own nature, needs and characteristics. Therefore, in many ways, they can look at things completely differently, unlike their owners. And if a person thinks that a cat is behaving “badly” for no reason, this does not mean at all that it is so. It is worth studying your pet’s habits more carefully and observing it more closely.
Taming an initially timid animal
A timid kitten picked up on the street needs time to develop trust in its new owner. Most often, fear of people in “foundlings” is due to two factors: lack of socialization and cruel treatment. In the first case, the baby simply needs time to understand that he will never again have to fight for his life and look for food on his own.
During the adaptation stage, try to create the most comfortable conditions for the new pet and avoid intrusiveness. The easiest way to gain trust is through food, so at first try feeding your kitten directly from your hands or a long-handled spoon.
If the baby has become a victim of evil people, then he will need much more time. The algorithm for building relationships in such a situation is similar. The only difference is that the kitten’s fear is actually justified. For this reason, it is better to avoid punishment, because a too loud voice or incorrectly chosen intonation can nullify all your achievements.
Meowing at night - what to do about it?
If the cat starts yelling at night, then it is useless to shout and swear at him. Cats have more sensitive hearing than humans, so they perceive loud sounds quite painfully. And they can begin to behave completely unpredictably - for example, throwing flowers from window sills, tearing up furniture, etc. Stress can affect the animal's nervous and digestive system - it can become skittish and afraid of people.
Why does the kitten meow
If a kitten that has recently been separated from a nursing cat constantly meows, this indicates that it is looking for protection and misses its mother. It is important for a person to help him adapt to independent life, but this does not mean that the baby should be abandoned and not paid attention to him.
Loneliness causes a lot of stress. A person shouldn't do that. He needs:
- Provide a soft and warm corner for the kitten;
- Purchase a feeding bottle and a pack of formula from a veterinary pharmacy (costs about 100 rubles);
- Wrap a ticking clock in a terry towel, which will remind the kitten of its mother's heartbeat and calm it down.
After a couple of weeks, the baby will grow up and become independent. He will not need his mother and will stop meowing.
Folk remedies
Some cat owners advise feeding their pet in such cases. Because after a heavy meal the cat will become lethargic and sleepy. But, firstly, feeding at night can have a negative impact on digestion - there is a high risk that the animal will become very fat and will continue to wake the owner at night to get food. And secondly, this method does not work on all cats - there are individuals known that, having had enough, begin to scream with triple force, falling silent only closer to dawn.
As you know, cats do not like water and try to avoid contact with it, and some owners take advantage of this. So, against a screaming pet they use a regular flower sprayer. This “weapon” can reach your pet at a distance of up to 5 meters. But the animal, not lacking in intelligence, quickly understands where it is simply impossible to reach it with a stream of water, and continues its concerts from there. If, every time the cat starts yelling at night, you take it to the shower, then the animal can catch a cold.
Many cat owners are discovering their own ways to deal with cat shows. For example, smear sour cream on your pet's face - the animal will immediately stop yelling and start washing itself until it eats every drop. Then he might just get tired of washing his face and go to bed. The method, of course, is quite unique, and there is no guarantee that it will work with every cat. There will definitely be those on whom it will not work. But this once again confirms that you can find an approach to every animal.
The cat is trying to wake up its owner
Almost all pets of the cat family behave extremely actively in the morning, when their owners are still sleeping. When a cat runs and meows, and sometimes even licks, he is trying to wake up his owners. Such actions may be associated with the animal’s diet. Many people are accustomed to feeding their pets in the morning. That is why the cat tries to get its first meal as early as possible.
How to get rid of cat hair in an apartment: examples at home
In order to eliminate this problem, it is necessary to provide a little more food in the evening than usual, so that the animal has enough not only for the night, but also for the morning.
Poor diet and low mobility
If the diet is disrupted, the cat often wanders around the apartment, which may indicate the presence of certain factors, namely:
- physical inactivity;
- excess body weight;
- eating high-calorie foods.
With a lack of an active lifestyle or after castration, cats often develop obesity, which can cause various diseases in the body. In such cases, it is highly recommended to contact specialists.
Advice! And in order to avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to follow a diet and spend a sufficient amount of time with the animal in order to develop its mobility.
Anomalous theory
There is an opinion that cats can see the other world. Some owners notice that animals often look in various places where there seems to be nothing attractive for them, hide in a corner or chase something that is absolutely invisible to the human eye, while for others this does not happen at all nothing like this. All this depends on the faith of the pet owner. But in the case when the owner does not believe in the other world, a logical explanation for what is happening is immediately found.
Cats can see the other world
Adviсe
The main thing is to try to make sure that the cat spends as much energy as possible in a day. Even if she waited all day for her owner to get home from work, bored at home. Usually in such cases the pet sleeps all day, and when the person returns, the animal begins to frolic. This means that while no one is at home, the cat should be provided with activity in the form of various toys, scratching posts, stairs and houses that it can climb.
It’s also a good idea to use videos from the Internet made specifically for animals - a fly or mouse moves across the screen in them, and the cat enthusiastically catches them.
It is advisable to set up a place for your pet on the windowsill so that he can observe everything that is happening on the street. Well, pay attention to it in the morning and evening - talk to the cat, whenever possible, allow it to participate in household chores, do not forget about caring for the pet. In general, demonstrate an emotional connection with him in every possible way so as not to wonder why the cat meows at night.
You shouldn’t lock your cat in the bathroom or kitchen at night if she could freely walk around these rooms during the day. It will logically strive to regain control over the territory that has become inaccessible.
When nothing helps, and medical causes are excluded, it is better to consult a zoopsychologist. He will determine whether the cat's behavior is the result of severe stress, illness, excess or lack of nutrition.
Symptomatic treatment
If the cat’s usual behavior has changed for the worse and remains so for several days, then the animal should be taken to the veterinarian to find out the reasons.
The following symptoms should alert the owner:
- the coordination of the animal’s movements is impaired;
- changes in heart rate and breathing;
- detached gaze at one point, reluctance to move;
- unjustified aggression;
- licking the fur until it is wet;
- Unreasonably jumping into nowhere, hitting with paws into nowhere, hunting for an imaginary but non-existent object, hitting walls.
If an animal suffers from a physical illness or has internal injuries, it must be treated accordingly. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe medications.
If the cat is nervous due to psychological problems, the specialist will prescribe mild sedatives.
At home, you can calm your cat with a few drops of valerian or motherwort. Drugs such as “Stop-stress”, diazepam, cat bayun have proven themselves well.
In severe cases, for example, if the cat is afraid of absolutely everything, and it needs to be transported on crowded public transport for a long time, veterinarians may prescribe sleeping pills. The animal will fall asleep in the carrier and will not show any anxiety. But you should not get carried away with such drugs, and even more so, prescribe them yourself. Sleeping pills are serious medications with a lot of side effects that may not appear immediately. The use of tranquilizers is a one-time measure when there is simply no other way to transport the animal.
What do you want?
Before going to bed, you need to make sure that your pet has water and food, and that the tray is clean. Because otherwise the animal will not hesitate to express its needs at night, waking up the owner by meowing, demanding to immediately provide him with everything he needs right this minute.
Thus, there are not many reasons for excessive nighttime activity. And by identifying and eliminating the main one, you will be able to ensure silence at night and good rest for both yourself and the cat.
Has your cat exhibited this behavior? What caused it?
Feline hyperesthesia
This condition is also known as wavy skin syndrome or nervous cat syndrome. This could be another reason why your cat runs around the house, but it doesn't happen all the time. If this happens, your cat will bite and scratch at its tail or other parts of its body.
This syndrome can become a compulsive behavior, and many people think it is related to allergies, toxins, or neurological disorders.
While it may be fun to watch your cat run around the house like a maniac, it could be caused by a serious problem. It is your responsibility to look after your pet. So if you notice that he's doing this too often, don't hesitate to take him to the vet.
