Vocalization

Meowing at night 

Meowing at night is unfortunately very common, particularly in young kittens. 

Usually the cat just wants attention and reassurance that their humans are still around and that they haven’t been left on their own. Cats may also get into the habit of 'crying' in the middle of the night, sometimes through boredom, but often because they may be feeling anxious. This could be due to changes in their environment, or perhaps if they've moved houses. Cats are intelligent creatures, and they can learn pretty quickly what works for them and what doesn't. So as the cat owner will go to check on the cat because she/he worries that the cat is in some form of distress, this will soon become a habit. The cat has now learned that this form of behavior works and it will get the attention they want. By getting up and checking on the cat we ourselves are unintentionally reinforcing this kind of behavior (our cats 'train' us to do what they want us to do!). 

To prevent your cat from disturbing you while you sleep, try the following suggestions: 

● Schedule a few interactive play sessions with your cat during the evening before bedtime. Try using toys that can mimic the movement of mice and birds, such as toys that dangle and wiggle. Games with ping-pong balls, soft balls and furry mice toys are great for cats who like to fetch. Play until your cat seems tired. 

● Feed your cat a main meal just before your bedtime. Cats tend to sleep after a big meal. If your cat continues to wake you during the night for food, purchase a timed feeder. 

● If your cat is social with other cats, consider adding a second cat to your family. If the two cats are compatible, they’ll probably play with each other and leave you alone at night. 

● Playful cats sometimes unintentionally injure their sleeping owners. For instance, your cat might notice your eyes moving under your lids as you sleep and swat at your face in play. If your cat tries to play with you or wake you while you’re sleeping, you might need to shut them out of your bedroom at night. If they cry and scratch at the door, you can discourage them by placing something in front of the door that they won’t want to step on, such as a vinyl carpet runner placed upside-down to expose the knobby parts, double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil or a Scat Mat (available at most pet supply stores or through online pet supply sites). 

Unless you suspect that your cat is waking you up because they’re hurt or sick, don’t get out of bed and attend to them. If you get up and feed your cat, play with them or even interact with them, you will have inadvertently rewarded them for waking you. As a result, they’ll try harder and harder to wake you each subsequent night. Even getting out of bed to scold your cat won’t work well, because negative attention from you may be better than no attention at all.