Cats are natural nocturnal predators. Therefore, activity in the dark is an absolute natural norm of behavior for them. And the cats don’t care at all that this activity causes trouble for the owner. These animals see excellently in the twilight, so with the onset of darkness the real hunt begins for flowerpots, the owner’s slippers, or a blanket that rises while the owner breathes. But this can be prevented.
What to do if your cat doesn't sleep
Many old cats almost stop sleeping at night, only wandering around the apartment... As they say: “old age is not a joy.” Cats' health inevitably deteriorates with age; they lose activity, energy, curiosity, and become very irritable and slow. Their behavior very often changes for the worse. There are even behavioral problems that need to be addressed. Cats become sensitive to stress, although they do not tolerate it well at any age, but a stressful situation for an older cat can be a real problem. Any changes in the usual way of life can become stressful - a change in feeding regime, moving to a new apartment, the appearance of a child, a new family member, a new animal. You need to try to maintain as much stability as possible in the life of an older cat. If for some reason it is impossible to avoid changes in a cat’s life, then you should not leave them to chance; you need to treat the cat with patience and care. Try to make such changes gradually, avoid sudden changes. What should you do if your cat is night-awake and hardly sleeps? Cats usually spend less time sleeping at night than we do. This feature of them only gets worse in old age. Often, old cats almost stop sleeping at night, they wander around the apartment, they can even behave noisily, constantly meow, and prevent their owners from falling asleep. Meowing at night is one of the most common behavioral problems in older cats. If this happens to your cat, be sure to visit a veterinarian. Perhaps your cat does not fall asleep because something hurts. In this case, the veterinarian will be able to identify the disease and recommend how to treat it. But your cat probably just feels lonely and needs your attention. Feed her more heavily at night. Maybe eating a lot of food will help her sleep. Try placing her bed next to your sleeping place or allowing her to sleep on the bed with you, she may feel much calmer. Your veterinarian may prescribe special sedatives for your cat. Are you sleeping soundly, but your pet is running all over you? So, make a better cozy and warm place for your pet, somewhere away from you. Try to play with your cat more during the day or evening. For example, before or after meals. Perhaps then your pet will have no strength left, and she will not be awake and rush around at night. Even if your elderly cat has excellent health and a stable psyche, she still needs your special attention and love. Old cats are like old people, they need affectionate communication and constant care. Try to devote more time to your aging pet, talk to her more often, caress her. You should be patient and remember that she will not always be with you. May her last years pass calmly, happily and be filled with your love and care.
Determine the cat's territory
Set up your cat's sleeping place. You can organize a secluded corner for him in a box, or better yet, build several places where he can retire.
Do not train your animal to sleep with you. Feline individuals must know the boundaries of their territory. It is better to close the door to your own bedroom at night. If the cat is immediately accustomed to this order, he will not ask to sleep with the owner or mistress, meowing at the door.
The reasons for the restless meowing of cats at night can be found here:
How to train a cat to sleep at night?
Most cats sleep during the day due to the absence of their owners at home, but if there is no such problem, then you should set aside time for active games with the pet, especially at those moments when the animal is about to sleep. This does not mean that there should be no daytime sleep at all, no, a few hours will never hurt, but the rest of the time the cat needs to be occupied with something. Numerous toys, both movable and stationary, will be available to help the owners. Any ball, ball, or even a string will engage your furry animal in active play.
To rearrange your cat's schedule, you need to be more active during the daytime and reduce all playful contacts to zero closer to night. To prevent the cat from being able to play on his own at night, all toys must be hidden in an inaccessible place, thereby making it clear that it is time to rest.
It is not advisable to give cats sedatives and relaxants that will lead to sleep without the permission of a veterinarian, since even the safest herbal infusions can become addictive and cause harm to a fragile body.
The main mistakes of cat breeders.
If a breeder is faced with the problem of a cat being awake at night, then it is very important not to make mistakes in adjusting the behavior of his pet. Quite often, in order to solve the problem of nocturnal cat play, the owner simply locks the animal in the bathroom or toilet - this cannot be done. The pet becomes very lonely, he does not understand why the owner is fenced off from him, so the animal begins to scream even louder to attract attention.
Other breeders in a similar situation spray the pet with water - this helps for a while while the cat is licking himself, but as soon as he finishes this he will start making noise again. And the method itself is very offensive for the kitten.
However, you shouldn’t indulge your cat’s desire to play at night - both the cat and the owner need to get enough sleep, and having gotten used to such night games, the cat won’t let you sleep at all at night. The best solution would be to wean the animal from playing at night.
Causes of sleepless nights for your pet
In some cases, a cat's nighttime activity may be caused by a lack of sexual intercourse with the cat. Several times a year, cats have a sexual instinct that needs to be realized, otherwise everything will end with night meowing, an overexcited and nervous state. If the owners do not have the opportunity to bring a cat, the cat should be neutered, otherwise the night activity will be repeated and each time its manifestations will become stronger and more restless, which will certainly cause a lot of inconvenience to the owners.
Sometimes the reason for nighttime activity may be fear of strangers coming to visit or a certain family member, another pet, or even new furniture. In this case, you should immediately try on the animal with what frightens him so much, show him that there is no reason for concern at all. After the animal stops hiding during the day under the sofa, closet or in some other secluded place, night activity and running around the rooms will stop.
Another reason for a cat’s insomnia may be stress caused, for example, by moving to a new home or adding to the family. In this case, the cat must be surrounded with care and attention, and after a while everything will return to normal. If all attempts to wean the cat from night activity end in defeat, you should contact a veterinarian, since sometimes such behavior can be caused by some disease accompanied by discomfort and pain.
Serious causes of sleepless nights in your pet
Diseases are one of the most common causes of nocturnal activity in cats. During this very period, the animal may experience pain or discomfort, which will lead to loud meowing, running around the bed and rushing between rooms. In this way, the pet tries to attract the attention of its owners and indicate the cause of its anxiety.
Most often, cats suffer from ear diseases, including:
- Otitis.
- Hematoma.
- Abscess.
- Ear plugs.
- Ear mites.
- Tumors.
Each of the above diseases has its own symptoms, but there are a number of them that will help you understand that something is bothering your cat, for example:
- Severe itching, accompanied by constant scratching of the sore ear.
- Unnatural bending and frequent shaking of the head.
- Lethargy and apathy, lack of quick response to familiar commands.
- Temperature characterized by a dry and hot nose.
- Various discharge from the ears.
- Bumps, wounds, suppuration.
If you detect at least one of the above symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian, since the consequences of ear diseases can lead not only to surgical intervention, but also to more tragic consequences.
An equally common cause of nocturnal activity in cats can be worms, which can be picked up absolutely everywhere. Symptoms of an animal having worms are:
- Fast weight loss.
- Lethargy.
- Restless state.
- Loud meow.
- Poor condition of the coat.
- Bloating and indigestion.
Fortunately, getting rid of worms is not at all difficult; for this there are a lot of effective drugs that will quickly remove all harmful parasites from the animal’s body; the most important thing is to consult with a good specialist in time, who will prescribe the correct and effective treatment.
Unfortunately, worms are not the only cause for concern; a cat's nighttime activity can also be caused by digestive problems, poisoning, a fish bone stuck in the throat, or injury after a fall, fight, or being hit by something. You should not take your cat’s nighttime activity and restlessness as a one-time manifestation; the animal may need immediate help. Therefore, before scolding or kicking your pet into another room, you should make sure that everything is okay with him.
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Give your cat plenty of exercise
To keep your pet awake during the day, you need to play with him and take him for walks. You can use toys that imitate the movement of living insects or birds, balls, light bunnies, and pendulum objects.
You need to play with the cat longer until he gets tired. You can “walk” the cat outside before going to bed. Domestic cats rarely run far from home; it is unlikely that they will be lost if their owners are attentive.
Natural Causes of Lethargy
The reasons for a lethargic, apathetic state can be simple and banal. For example, a similar reaction is possible to a change in weather. Most cats are more sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure and the change from warm to rainy weather with gusts of wind compared to weather-sensitive people. But unlike people, a cat cannot say that it doesn’t feel well or take a pill to normalize its blood pressure. That is why she becomes lethargic, sad and phlegmatic, tries to sleep more and eat less, which is why she seems tired to her owner.
Lethargy in a cat can indicate many reasons for this condition.
You should not force a cat to play or eat; such behavior on the part of the owner can provoke aggression and resentment in the cat. As soon as the clouds clear and the bright sun appears, the pet’s mood will normalize, and she will again become playful and active.
Note! Cats also become drowsy and lethargic during extreme heat; this is how pets save themselves from overheating and dehydration. In hot weather, cats want to drink a lot and exercise little.
Lethargy and drowsiness in a kitten can be a result of boredom. A person has dozens of ways to overcome boredom, but a cat closed within four walls cannot boast of such a variety. For example, if your pet sleeps all day, you need to unobtrusively involve him in playing with one of his favorite toys. If the kitten immediately jumped up and began to play, it becomes clear that he was sleeping, because he had nothing to do. If the kitten lies lethargic and does not respond to play or favorite treats, despite a sunny, fine day outside, it is better to consult a specialist.
Lethargy and drowsiness overcome many cats 3-4 days after sterilization, the first weeks of pregnancy, during which they refuse to eat due to toxicosis. A similar reaction of the body may occur to vaccinations, medications, or anesthesia after surgery. It is worth considering the age of the pet. Weakness in an older cat is normal, because older cats are less active and mobile than younger cats.
The kitten is sleeping because he is bored
Be sure to feed your cat at night
Check what time you feed your cat. He might be waking you up because he's hungry. It is recommended to feed cats 3-4 times a day with breaks of 6-8 hours. So that your cat can sleep peacefully for the allotted time and not wake up from hunger, feed her before you go to bed yourself.
An automatic feeder will also be useful. It will save you from the hassle of morning feeding, because it’s more pleasant to lie in bed on a day off than to run to the kitchen to feed a hungry cat. Automatic feeders can dispense food at a certain time, and the pet waiting for breakfast will hang around near it, and not near your bed.
Serious reasons why a cat eats poorly and sleeps a lot and is lethargic
However, such a condition may also indicate a serious illness.
Worms
Associated symptoms:
- depressed state for several days;
- a sharp decrease in appetite or its complete absence;
- weight loss;
- disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, rumbling);
A swollen belly in kittens may be due to worms
- the coat is dull and crawling;
- swollen, barrel-shaped belly;
- dry crusts in the corners of the eyes without signs of inflammation;
- detection of traces of blood, fragments or whole worms in feces.
Important! If this disease is detected, your pet should be given an anthelmintic drug, the dosage of which is calculated according to the instructions.
Ticks
The bite of this external parasite can provoke piroplasmosis, the causative agent of which, entering the blood along with the saliva of the tick, spreads through the circulatory system in a matter of days and colonizes red blood cells. Its main goal is to weaken the immune system and disrupt the functioning of internal organs. If left untreated, such a bite can be fatal for the cat.
A burrowing tick can spread infection
If the cat is lethargic, sleeps all the time and eats little, has loose stools, vomiting, red urine and fever, you need to urgently examine it for a tick. The detected parasite must be removed, it is better if this is done by a doctor, because along with the tick’s saliva, the poisons and infection contained in it enter the cat’s body. But it is not always possible to quickly go to the clinic. In this case, you will have to remove the tick yourself using tweezers, a thin strong thread or another tool that can tightly grasp the body of the parasite. It is important to grab the bloodsucker as close to the cat's skin as possible and then carefully twist it clockwise.
For your information! A sharp jerk can tear off the body of the tick, and the head, remaining under the skin, will continue to spread the infection. Sometimes, when extracted, small head parts of the parasite remain under the skin, this is not scary, the cat’s immune system can handle it.
After removal, it is recommended to place the tick in a glass jar with alcohol or vodka; in such an environment, the tenacious parasite will die. And if you suspect infection with encephalitis or Lyme, you must deliver the parasite preserved in alcohol to the clinic for examination.
Poisoning
The cat does not eat well and sleeps constantly in case of poisoning, the causes of which may be stale food, household chemicals, medications, rodent poisons or secreted by house plants, etc. Frequent companions are severe chills, difficulty noisy breathing, lack of appetite, digestive tract upset (diarrhea, vomiting), increased salivation. In addition, there is a change in the color of the mucous membranes (reddened, blue or pale) and an increase/decrease in body temperature.
After poisoning, a cat lies a lot and moves little
Intestinal obstruction
This occurs due to the ingestion of small objects, the inability to regurgitate a large hairball, helminthic infestations, volvulus, or the consequences of gastrointestinal diseases.
Note! Owners often confuse obstruction with constipation, trying to eliminate the problem with a laxative, which causes greater damage to the pet’s health.
Pronounced symptoms of obstruction:
- a lethargic and apathetic state, a desire to hide from people and animals, in some cases loud meowing, obsessive following of the owner and attempts to pay attention to the stomach;
- a gradual decrease in appetite until a complete refusal to eat, food intake is accompanied by subsequent vomiting;
- prolonged absence of feces in the tray;
- aggression when trying to touch a swollen abdomen;
- Trying to get rid of gas, the cat rolls on the floor and carefully licks its stomach.
The cat is rolling on the floor due to intestinal obstruction
Asthma
With such a disease, the cat quickly gets tired and does not have the strength to play its usual games. She breathes with difficulty, often and shallowly, whistling sounds emerge in her breathing. The usual posture for an asthmatic is a hunched back, with the neck very elongated in a sitting position. As the disease progresses, apathy and drowsiness increase. If you notice the first signs, you should urgently visit a veterinarian.
You can't help but notice your cat's asthma by its noisy breathing.
Urolithiasis
The first symptom of such a disease is frequent, prolonged and painful urination in the wrong place, which at first the owner may mistake for the pet’s misconduct. The painfulness of the process and resentment for undeserved punishment provoke a change in behavior - the cat becomes sad, phlegmatic and drooping.
As the disease progresses, the pet runs to the toilet more and more often, in most cases not reaching the litter tray, since it can no longer restrain the urge, rapidly loses weight, and more and more blood enters the urine. If you notice an increase in urination and traces of blood in the urine, you should urgently seek help from a veterinarian to prevent the development of an advanced form of the disease and the manifestation of severe symptoms.
Urination posture for urolithiasis
Calming drops for cats during heat
cat Baiyun
The drug Kot Bayun is available in tablets and liquid form, which has a yellow-brown color. The liquid solution in veterinary medicine is found in glass bottles with hermetically sealed aluminum caps.
Compound
Motherwort, valerian, sweet clover, catnip, hawthorn, meadowsweet, peony, cudweed, hops, hodgepodge, oregano, thyme, St. John's wort, lemon balm, mint, meadowsweet, nettle, motherwort, sterile water, various vitamins and biological additives.
Indications for use
It brings the nervous system into proper tone, acts as a pain reliever, strengthens the immune system, eliminates anxiety and fear and is an excellent sedative.
Instructions for use and dosage of Kota Bayun for cats
Prescribed after ten months of age, 2 ml. 3-4 times a day, 20 minutes before meals or an hour after. Place the drops into the mouth or dilute them and give them with water. Shake before use.
Bach drops
These drops are developed on a natural basis and do not contain chemical additives. Made according to the method of the English physician Bach, who used in his practice the essences of the herbs included in this preparation. No negative reactions were observed in cats after their use. They are convenient because the bottles are available in different dosages: 7, 10, 20 and 30 ml; and a faceted lid with a nozzle.
Compound
Alcohol – 27% (or glycerin with water), clematis, ornithischium umbelliferum, plum splayed (cherry plum), sunflower coin-leaved, impatiens.
Indications for use
They relax in a state of numbness, prevent loss of consciousness, protect against a state of fear and help the animal behave calmly in an uncontrollable situation.
Instructions for use
If necessary, spray onto tongue twice.
Fospasim for cats
Homeopathic medicine based on natural extracts. It is noteworthy that no contraindications are noted. In veterinary hospitals it is used in the form of injections. The medicine is also produced in tablets. Drops still find more practical applications.
Compound
Blue Acony, Siberian Kabagra, Henbane, Hyoscyamine, Passion Flower Extract, Passion Fruit, Platinum Compound (a form of precious metal), Vines, Purified Water and Glycerin.
Indications for use
Recommended if estrus is accompanied by too violent behavior of the pet. The drops help the animal adapt, as a result of which they become less aggressive and less fearful.
Application and dosage of Fospasim for cats
Twice a day - 10-15 drops in food. The duration of treatment is two weeks. It can be extended only on the recommendation of a veterinarian, since the medicine contains a large amount of alkaloids. For this reason, an overdose should never be allowed, so as not to kill the animal.
Benefits of herbal drops
The first positive factor is that to date, no side effects have been observed. The drops contain well-known herbs that have long been used by people to support the nervous system. Now such plants have found their use in official medicine. The preparation Kot Bayun includes peony. Peony evasive root is recommended for convulsions, muscle spasms, concussions, neuroses, and sleep disorders. In veterinary medicine, it is used not only for the preparation of contraceptives. It has a positive effect on the liver of animals, improves digestion and eliminates bloating. This is just one example of what these drugs contain. Other plants that are in drops are no less effective.
The cat is hot and lethargic: what to do
If the pet's body temperature is higher than normal (38-39.5 °C), he has a hot, dry nose, the cat is lethargic, apathetic, trembling, coughing and/or sneezing, perhaps there is an inflammatory process inside him, for example, a cold. Usually the pet’s body copes with this problem on its own within 24 hours, so during this period it is recommended to provide the cat with rest and plenty of fluids.
After the cat feels better the next day, you can give him a light warm broth, and then gradually introduce his usual foods. If an elevated rectal temperature persists for more than 48 hours, you should immediately contact a veterinarian to prevent dehydration. If there is such an opportunity, it is better to invite a doctor to your home so as not to torment the sick animal with transportation.
A high temperature in a cat is most often due to a cold.
If your cat has a high body temperature, hot ears and a dry nose, this could be a sign of ear mites. In this case, it is recommended to carefully examine the pet’s hearing organs for the presence of plaque, dirt, liquid discharge or squelching, or an unpleasant odor. If the listed signs are identified, you need to visit a veterinary clinic, where a specialist will take biomaterial from the cat’s ear and conduct an analysis. Based on the result, the veterinarian will determine the severity of the infection and prescribe the required treatment.
An increase in body temperature may be a reaction to lichen, which is detected upon careful examination of the pet in the form of bald patches. Treatment for lichen depends on its stage, intensity of infection and the cat’s immunity. Therefore, when you notice the first symptoms (bald patches, itching, lethargy, increased body temperature), it is important to go to the clinic, where, using a special lamp, the nature of the lichen will be revealed and the current treatment will be prescribed.
The cat twists his bruised paw
The cat is lethargic and sleeps a lot - this could be due to bruises, dislocations or fractures, which are the most common cause for this condition in cats. During sleep, healing processes are accelerated, and pain is practically not felt. To rule out a fracture, it is necessary to take an x-ray in the clinic.
Lethargy and drowsiness of a cat for a short period of time is not a cause for concern. The pet needs to be given time to rest and gain strength. If a lethargic, apathetic state lasts for several days, is accompanied by a number of symptoms, and the cat looks tired and thin, you need to contact a veterinary clinic for a consultation, where an accurate diagnosis will be established based on a visual examination and test results.
Concern for the well-being of a small pet makes people wonder why the kitten constantly sleeps. Having a poor understanding of the characteristics of the animal’s body, it is worth understanding the question of what to do if the kitten is constantly sleeping, and how you can help in this incomprehensible situation.
Do they spend many hours alone during the day?
Related to the previous point, cats that spend many hours alone during the day and do not have proper environmental enrichment use sleep. This way, when night falls, they are completely rested and ready to enjoy your company, trying to play with you or, if they fail, running around the house, jumping, meowing...
On the other hand, as we said, lack of mental stimulation can also cause boredom in cats, in addition to stress and frustration. All this means not only that the cat is not sleeping at night, but also in a number of symptoms, such as the aforementioned destruction of furniture and even showing a certain aggressiveness.
Features of long sleep in kittens
Many pet owners know that cats are real sleepyheads and spend most of their time sleeping in a secluded place. This is a characteristic habit of animals accustomed to hunting at night. Domesticated cats do not require the constant vigilance of their wild relatives, so they can spend up to 18 hours sleeping every day. This behavior allows them to fully digest the protein food they eat, and also maintains health and saves energy for the active period of wakefulness.
If a small kitten sleeps constantly, the reasons may be different. It is normal for healthy newborn kittens and cubs under two months of age to sleep almost constantly. In the earliest stages of growing up, during sleep, accelerated growth of the animal’s body and strengthening of the nervous and immune systems are observed.
Already at four months of age, some kittens reach the size of adult animals. Such intensive development requires a lot of strength and energy, so the kitten may constantly feel drowsy and must be at rest. Under no circumstances should a small pet be prevented from getting enough sleep, or should be woken up or disturbed, as this can cause illness and even the death of the baby.
If the animal does not show any signs of illness, there is no need to interfere with the natural development process. Within a few weeks, the kitten will feel stronger and more confident for more active pastime.
Lack of activity and exercise
Cats that don't usually get any exercise have a greater predisposition to be active at night due to energy storage. Despite their reputation for being calm and sedentary animals, cats are also animals that need to exercise and maintain physical and mental stimulation while playing.
Unfortunately, the myths that have arisen about this species have led many cat trainers to believe that they do not need as much attention on their part, and nothing could be further from reality. These animals also need to spend hours with their human companions, play and exercise, as well as receive affection and feel cared for.
Causes of drowsiness in kittens
Other factors, in addition to the natural cycles of the body, are often external causes that affect both small kittens and adult animals:
1) weather conditions;
2) level of calm in the environment;
3) absence of irritants and dangers.
Sleepiness in kittens is influenced by feelings of satiety and fatigue from intense activity. In addition, in the summer heat or before rain, if the kitten is constantly sleeping, the cause may be low atmospheric pressure. Hormonal levels also affect drowsiness, because, as a rule, males are more active than females, so prolonged sleep in female kittens is by no means uncommon.
Cats fall asleep gradually, and dozing is replaced by deep sleep. According to scientists, cats can dream, and they often make meowing sounds, squeaks, and move their paws, which is a feature of their expression of emotions and should not be a cause for concern.
These reasons should not cause panic among animal owners, since they are due to the natural features of the life of their pets.
Common mistakes: what not to do?
It is important for the owner to remember that the animal should never be taken out of the house during daytime rest and night sleep. Young children should be prohibited from doing this, since such an act can forever push the cat away from his favorite place.
You need to call and wait until the animal leaves the house on its own.
If the kitten cries and wants to leave the litter and lie down with the owner, you should bring him back, stay with him and wait until he falls asleep. It is impossible to teach a baby to sleep in the master’s bed, because it is difficult to wean him from this habit in adulthood. With patience and love, you can accustom your mustachioed pet to its own corner without unnecessary stress.
