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Cats have a knack for getting our attention, sometimes even at night. They might be hungry, bored, or stressed due to changes in the environment. Here’s expert advice on decoding these nightly interruptions and handling them effectively.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Cats have specific body language, and if you watch (and listen!) closely, you’ll learn a lot about their moods, emotions, and desires.\n<\/p>\n For example, spraying or marking is often a tip-off that your cat feels stressed or threatened, especially by other cats or a change in their environment. A tail wrap around your leg means kitty is affectionate and trusting (various tail wags tell you a lot!<\/em>) Even when they just follow you around, they’re shouting out about something, such as they don’t feel well\u2014or think what you’re doing is entertaining.\n<\/p>\n So why is your cat meowing at night? Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, is a specialist in animal behavior, owner of Behavior Solutions<\/a>, and a member of the Daily Paws Advisory Board. She says, quite simply, they need you.\n<\/p>\n “Cats meow for a variety of reasons but they’re basically seeking attention, food, or play from their owners,” she tells Daily Paws. “They also do it if they’re distressed, confused, or otherwise worried.”\n<\/p>\n Think of how some people talk nervously when they’re upset about something. Kitties can do this too, and they really<\/em> hope you catch on. Common feline stressors include relocation, illness, and behavioral changes as they age. “If this is new behavior for your cat, especially an older cat, please take your kitty to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues, especially painful conditions, thyroid disease, and, in older cats, cognitive decline,” Sinn says.\n<\/p>\n Expanding your family with a kitten, dog, or baby might also confound your cat, making them more prone to meowing at night and even emitting yowls and other different cat noises as they try to figure out what’s going on.\n<\/p>\n Sinn says there’s also the possibility that if your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, they will call or yowl while seeking a mate and\/or warn competitors away. If you suspect this is the case, arrange for a vet consultation to discuss next steps.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s important to determine the specific cause as to why your cat is crying at night. However, there’s a fine line between adjusting the behavior with positive reinforcement … and making it worse.\n<\/p>\n “For example, if the reason is attention seeking, then responding to the cat’s meows will only make it more likely that the cat will disturb you at night,” Sinn says. It’s not that cats are manipulative, but they do<\/em> respond to our training cues. If we leave our warm, cozy bed every time we hear our cat meowing at night, they’ll think they’re our benevolent overlords.\n<\/p>\n So perk up your cat antenna the next time your cat won’t stop meowing at night, and tune in to their signals:\n<\/p>\n Sinn adds that as a general rule, a second pet is never recommended to help solve the issue of your cat meowing at night. “However, if it’s a young, active cat and the owner just can’t meet their exercise and interaction needs, a compatible playmate may be an option.”\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You’ve probably stumbled upon this cuteness many times: precious kitties meowing during their cat naps, like this<\/a>. Sinn says there’s probably no reason for concern.\n<\/p>\n “I personally haven’t seen this with my own cats,” Sinn says. “But I would assume it’s simply that they’re dreaming and vocalizing, as we all sometimes do!”\n<\/p>\n If all this chatter about cats meowing at night has piqued your curiosity, Sinn recommends taking a feline behavior class through Ohio State University<\/a> and reading the book “Decoding Your Cat<\/a>.”\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Why Do Cats Meow at Night? <\/span> <\/h2>\n
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n How to Stop a Cat From Meowing All Night <\/span> <\/h2>\n
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What Does It Mean When My Cat Meows In Their Sleep? <\/span> <\/h2>\n