Why Your Cat Keeps You Awake At Night – And What To Do About It

Cats are nocturnal creatures. When your cat keeps you awake at night, learn to manage their behavior and reclaim your rest.

Cats are more active at night. This often leads to disruptions in our sleep. It might be cute occasionally, but if it continues, you’ll need to take steps to curb the behavior. Here’s why your cat keeps you awake at night, and how to reclaim your peaceful slumber. 

Your cat might feel lonely at night

Cats are crepuscular animals, which means they’re more nocturnal, especially during the hours of dusk and dawn. And because most domestic kitties look for companionship, security, and entertainment from their human families, they might feel lonely when everyone retires to bed for the night. 

Your cat might vocalize, jump on and off the bed, try to get under the covers, or bite your toes to assuage loneliness.

6 ways to get your kitty to settle down at night

1. Create a routine

A study by the University of Messina found that cats adjust their sleep patterns to match their humans’ lifestyles. The College of Veterinarian Medicine at Ohio State University recommends adding playful activities to your cat’s routine. This can help reduce nocturnal activity.

You need to take charge. If your cat spends most of the day sleeping, you need to create a sleep pattern routine for her that suits your schedule. Begin with encouraging more daytime activity by providing toys and distractions. A scratching post, cat tree, window perch, and food puzzles can all help keep your kitty occupied. 

2. Schedule play sessions before bed 

If you work all day, schedule an interactive play session in the evening, just before bed. An hour of play, a final meal or treat, and quality time to relax with your kitty is ideal.

The Animal Humane Society suggests you encourage jumping, pouncing, and chasing during play sessions. These activities allow your cat to release energy and express her natural hunting instincts. This should help tire your kitty out before bed. 

Veterinarian Dr. Sandra C. Mitchell recommends keeping your cat awake in the evening to help her “crash” and sleep when it’s time for bed.

3. Make sure she doesn’t have a health problem 

What if your cat still bothers you at night, despite your efforts? She may have a health problem that causes her to act out. 

Adi Hovav, senior feline behavior counsellor at the ASPCA Adoption Center, reminds us that we must rely on a cat’s body language to understand how she feels.

Excessive pacing, restlessness, or crying at night may signal discomfort or pain. If you notice these behaviors in your cat, and nothing you’ve tried so far seems to stop them, take her to the vet for a checkup. 

4. Never punish your cat 

Scolding, shouting, or punishing your cat will worsen the problem. Stay patient. The Cornell Feline Health Center states that cats don’t link punishment to their actions. Punishment only teaches your cat to fear you. Worse, it may cause aggressive behaviors like scratching and biting.

5. Shut the bedroom door  

If it gets overwhelming, exercise tough love and shut your bedroom door. Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wooten advises shutting your cat out of your room to prevent her from climbing all over you.

Your kitty may yowl and scratch to get in, but stay firm and wear earplugs. Eventually, she’ll get the message. 

6. Create an alternative sleep area for her 

If you feel bad shutting your cat out, create a cozy and secure sleep area for her elsewhere in the house.

John Bradshaw, foundation director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol, advises setting up a special space with a comfy cat bed, some favorite toys, and easy access to food, water, and a litterbox. If you make this spot attractive enough to your cat, she won’t be so insistent on getting into bed with you. 

Discouraging your kitty from disturbing your sleep can be challenging. By understanding why your cat keeps you awake at night, you can train her to let you sleep in peace.

Does your kitty have FCD?

If your cat is over ten years old, and acting out at night, she may have feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD). According to the ASPCA, this disorder affects more than 55% of cats aged 11 and 15 years, and more than 80% of cats from 16 to 20 years. 

FCD can affect your cat’s sleep-wake cycle by causing restless sleep at night, and more sleep during the day. If you think your senior cat might have this condition, seek your veterinarian’s advice. 

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