Why Does My Cat Meow at Night? 6 Reasons & Ways to Prevent it

Hearing a cat meowing at night is not uncommon – but if you're a cat owner and it’s your cat that is meowing at night, it may be something that you are concerned about.

Also known as night vocalisation or night calling, if your cat is meowing at night, it can be a problem if it is a sign of their discomfort or it’s disturbing your rest. Read on to find out more about the reasons that your cat may be being particularly vocal at night.

It’s widely known that cats are night owls. It seems that the moment we switch off the light they get straight to sprinting around the house – like the cat version of dog zoomies. When they’re getting up to their night time antics they may also meow a lot too. And, sometimes your crying cat can be extremely disruptive and get in the way of you getting your much-needed rest.

If your feline friend does this and you’re wondering why does my cat meow at night and what can I do about it? We’ve got the answers to your questions! Here at Purina, we’ve put together this guide to tell you all you need to know.

Why do cats meow at night?

Your cat might meow at night because they feel bored, unstimulated, lonely or just want to go outside. If your cat won’t stop crying at night even when they have plenty of play time, other causes to consider are thyroid or kidney disease.

6 Common reasons for why your cat is meowing at night and what to do about it

If you have a cat yowling at night, it’s only natural that you’ll be wondering why they do it. There are six common reasons why your kitty may be doing this, including:

1. Cats are naturally more active at night

Your cat’s crying at night may have much to do with the fact that they are naturally more active at certain hours of the night. Although it’s popularly thought that cats are nocturnal, this is not strictly true. However, they are crepuscular – meaning that they are naturally most active at dusk and dawn. Although many cats do adapt to the routine of their owners, this crepuscular tendency means that your cat may be especially active in the early hours of the morning, when the rest of the house is asleep.

Younger cats have an increased tendency to be active at night, as their instincts tell them that this is a great time to hunt. As they mature, though, it is likely that their rhythm will adapt to that of the rest of the household, which may hopefully mean less cat meowing at night.

2. Your cat may be bored or unstimulated

Cat crying at night may be simply because they’re bored – or because they haven’t tired themselves out during the day. Active play before bedtime may help to ensure that they are more tired out at night, as will trying to keep their minds active and happy during the day. Your cat meowing at night can essentially be an attention-seeking behaviour.

If you have an indoor cat without access to outdoor space, you’ll need to make plenty of time for play throughout the day, otherwise they may find themselves a touch hard done by when you go off to bed, leading to your cat yowling at night. Find out more about mental stimulation for your indoor cat with our handy guide.

3. Overactive thyroid or kidney disease

If your cat is meowing at night on a frequent basis, it’s a good idea to consult with a vet to check up on their health. This is because excessive vocalisation, including at night, can be a sign of overactive thyroid or kidney disease in cats.

4. A symptom of ageing if your cat is a senior

Ageing can affect all of us, and cats are no different. As they age, it is possible that the effects of ageing on the brain can leave your cat disoriented. CDS (Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome) is directly related to the effect of ageing on a cat’s brain, and can have a variety of symptoms, of which meowing at night is one.

5. Outdoor cats may feel trapped

If your cat is an outdoor cat during the day, and you keep them indoors at night, there is a good chance that your cat’s crying because they are feeling trapped. If it is safe, consider installing a cat flap and letting them go out at night so that they are free to expend their energy outside.

6. Cat yowling at night could be the sound of mating

As many of us know through experience, extremely loud screeching and cats’ yowling at night can be the sound of mating.

Your cat might be howling at night for all sorts of different reasons, from pure boredom to old age and even illnesses such as thyroid issues. Whatever the trigger for your cat’s nocturnal yowls, you shouldn’t ignore the crying. 
Your cat is trying to tell you something, but it’s not always easy for owners to figure out what it is.

How to prevent cat meowing at night – 6 ways to try

As always, the first port of call should be the vet’s office, to make sure that there is nothing physically wrong with your cat. They are also likely to be able to give you advice on things that may help with trying to reduce the instances of your cat’s night meowing. 

If you’re sure nothing is physically wrong with your cat, the next step is to come up with solutions to prevent them meowing at night. See our list of ways below.

1.    Play with them before bed

If your cat or kitten has a lot of energy, they’re less likely to go to bed. Giving them an opportunity to bow off some steam with physically and mentally enriching games is a great way to ensure they’re getting a good night’s sleep.

2.    Leave out food and water

Your cat might be meowing at night because they’re hungry or thirsty. Before you go to bed, it’s a good idea to leave out some dry cat food and water in the bowls so they can snack and drink as they please. 

3.    Clean their litterbox

Cats are known for their need for cleanliness – especially with their litterboxes. If their litterbox is dirty and doesn’t smell clean, they’re very unlikely to use it and will, therefore, wail. So, if you want to stop your cat meowing at night, make sure to clean their litterbox before bed.

4.    Give them affection

Your cat might be wanting some attention and affection! Giving them cuddles before bed is the perfect way to ensure they’re getting the love that they need to sleep peacefully.

5.    Refrain from responding to your cat’s meows at night

If your cat is meowing at night for your attention, you could remedy this by ignoring them. However, it’s highly important to differentiate between unwanted behaviour and a serious issue that needs tending to. They could be meowing at night due to cat illness or uncomfortableness – this should never be ignored and should always be checked by a vet.

6.    Check if anything is waking or disturbing your cat

A light or something outside could be keeping your cat up and causing them to meow – they are light sleepers, after all! Finding ways to prevent this distraction, like turning automatic lights off, could be a great way to prevent disturbing their sleep.

It can be tricky to know what our pets need from us. Take a look at our cat body language article for information on how to tell how your cat is feeling through their body language.