Why cats meow at night
Cats can be very resourceful in finding ways to attract attention. They want attention, and if you have no time, they walk to the couch then and go sharpening their nails there, until you respond. You're reading the newspaper and they walk on the newspaper and go sit ceremoniously with their graceful behind on the page that you were just reading. You are asleep and they go tap with their paw against your cheek or jump with their full weight on top of you! It is all often used by cats used to attract attention. But the most effective way to attract attention is undoubtedly the pervasive, prolonged meowing which some cats do at night.
What may be the reason that the cat is meowing at night
Besides attracting attention, boredom and fear of being alone, there may be medical causes, such as dementia and diseases that make the cat feel unwell. So first of all, go with your first cat to a vet to make sure your cat is physically okay.
If there’s no medical cause, then chances are that you're dealing with learned conduct, that is, the cat has learned that meowing delivers him something. This can be a bowl of food, the opening of a door, calling the cat, stroking the cat, but shouting at him and chasing after him are also forms of attention and thus, in the eyes of the cat, rewards for his behavior.
But why on earth do cats start meowing at night?
Cats feel more vulnerable at night than during the day. Among the reasons are the absence of the owner and the silence in the house and outside there are suddenly noises that are heard that weren’t there during the day. This is why you see this behavior less in cats that can stay in the bedroom overnight and in cats that have cat friends in the house, with whom they are sleeping together.
Cats can also have too little to do during the day. If a cat can’t go out during the day and is sleeping all day, he will find that it’s time for action at home during the night. Boredom is the cause in this case.
What can you do to prevent and remedy this meowing at night?
Ignoring the unwanted behavior very effective when the behavior doesn’t exist that long. If the cat’s meowing, give him no attention then, so don’t talk to him, don’t shout to him, don’t even sigh exasperated, but just pretend he/she is not there. This applies if you're in the bedroom, but also for when you come out of the bedroom in the morning. Is the cat is meowing at the door when you come out of the bedroom, then first walk by without looking at him/her, to do something else and only give the cat some attention after that. Realize that this method only works if you never respond. If you do react now and then, then the behavior will just perpetuate. If the cat shows this behavior for some time and if the ignoring in combination with other measures to ensure that the cat sleeps better at night, doesn’t work either, it's time to call in the help from a professional i.e. a cat behaviorist.
At a glance what you should and shouldn’t do:
Do:- Ensure that your cat will not get bored, play regularly with the cat. Especially toys that are dragged along the ground are often very popular. Give your cat plenty of space and challenges. It's usually a good idea to get a second cat if your cat is alone and still young.
- Rewards for desired behavior: give the cat enough attention during the day, especially when it’s not calling for attention by meowing. The reward can be anything you cat likes; just playing a bit, something nice to eat, petting, etc.
Don'ts:
- Rewarding the undesirable behavior: giving food or another treat or attention when the cat is meowing.
- Punishing the cat or yelling at the cat. Don’t punish your cat if he meows, this is also a form of attention and will only maintain the behavior.
Other things to take into account:
Certain breeds such as Siamese use their voices much more than the average cat does and can’t support being alone either. Keeping these cats without the company of a cat friend, and keeping them out of the bedroom, is asking for trouble.
Cats can have a mourning period when they lose an animal or human that they had a close bond with. It may be that they are meowing more because of this. The best thing you can do in such a time period is to have extra patience with your cat, keep doing things the same way as much as possible, but giving the cat some extra attention during the day. Keep yourself to the above guidelines of what to do and what not to do.
Also moving into a new house, a new owner, a new pet or a person who has left home, can ensure that the cat suddenly starts showing different behavior, including meowing at night. The same goes as for a cat that has a mourning period. Cats simply have much difficulties adjusting to changes.