You’re excited about a new furry family member. Your cat is a part of your life; he is your friend, companion, and partner. Now you have an evolving journey together and are eager to learn each other’s personalities and preferences. Soon you notice that your kitty stays active at night; moreover, the cat meows and keeps you awake. He is hungry around 4 am. You get out of bed, talk to your cat, and offer food. After your friend polishes his dish, he continues exploring and doesn’t show signs of readiness for bedtime. You are tired and need rest, but the kitty is active, loud, and wants attention.
What can you do if your cat keeps you awake at night? Is your cat sick, or does he feel lonely, hungry, or maybe he wants to play at night? We will explore possible reasons for your cat’s behavior, learn how to help him adjust to the new routine, and improve the quality of your sleep.
Check your cat’s health.
The first step is to consult with your veterinarian and rule out medical conditions that may keep your cat awake at night. Establish veterinary care early, as soon as you bring your cat home. Make sure you follow the doctor’s recommendation and complete the prescribed testing and diagnostics procedures. Remember that some health conditions or pain may be a reason for vocalizations and late-night activity.
Provide plenty of exercises.
Explore your kitties’ daily play routine. How active is your cat during the day? If he sleeps a lot and doesn’t have much activity, this may be why the kitty becomes energetic at night. Engage your cat in active play 30 minutes before bedtime. Provide various forms of mental stimulation. Find out what toys work best for your cat. Make him run up and down the stairs, change activities, provide toys that contain treats inside. The cat will have to figure out how to get the food and work for his snack.
Give your cat enough attention.
Cats love human attention. Meowing at night may have an attention-seeking function. The cat may be bored and lonely during the day. Talk to your cat and engage with him when you come home. Make him a part of your life and include the four-legged friend in your routine. Spend quality time with your kitty. Many cats love storytime and enjoy listening to their parents reading to them. If your cat allows, put him on your lap or place him on your chest when you watch your favorite TV show.
Arrange an automatic feeder.
If your cat is hungry at night, you may arrange his dinner close to bedtime. If you use dry food, leave a bowl for the cat at night. Remember that your cat needs access to clean, fresh water at all times. Explore automatic feeder options. There are feeders for wet food on the market. Place a portion of wet food in an automatic feeder and set up the timer 15 minutes before the time when your cat is waking you up to request food.
Conclusion
Pay attention to your cat’s behaviors and health. Make sure your cat has routine veterinary exams. Some behaviors may indicate a medical condition, and your cat may need veterinary treatment.
Arrange your routine the way the cat stays active in the evening, before bedtime. Engage in exercise and active play with your friend for at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Feed the cat in the evening and set up an automatic feeder.
Remember that transition to the new routine may take time. Be patient and consistent with your cat. Reward the desired behaviors with treats and discourage activity at night.