How Do I Get My Cat To Sleep At Night

Ever wonder why your cat is very active at night? Or do you sleep cautiously because your kitty may pounce at you anytime? You are not alone if you have been asking yourself why your kitty suddenly finds every toy in the house amusing as soon as you are ready to go to bed.

Most cats are crepuscular, meaning they are docile during the day and very active early in the morning and at night. This behavior is usually referred to as “night crazies” and may cause the owners to lack sleep.

Here are a few tips to get your cat to sleep at night if you count yourself among the unfortunate pet owners.

Signs of a Crepuscular Cat

Cats have different sleep-wake cycles and behaviors. Typical complaints include restless cats running around and attacking the owner during the night and early morning. These behaviors include:

• Explosive, uncontrollable play sessions
• Attacking your ears in bed
• Excessive vocalisations
• Nibbling your toes in bed
• Walking over you in bed

Why Cats Can’t Sleep at Night

Your cat’s instincts are hunting and traveling at night and early mornings. This is the peak time that cats prefer to do all their primary activities. However, other factors contribute to excessive crepuscular behavior in cats. They include:

1. Boredom Resulting From Being Home Alone All-day

Being home alone makes most cats sleep almost the entire day. Too much rest during the day may lead to more activity at night. Cats are very social animals. They crave interaction and attention, which is why your cat may have extra energy after spending most of his time relaxing during the day. As a result, your kitty will try to wake you up from time to time for attention.

2. Old Age

Cats exhibit changes in sleeping patterns as they age. You may find that your aging cat suddenly becomes more active at night than before. This is part of a normal aging process.

3. Hunger

Some cats usually wake up at night to feed. This behavior goes hand in hand with their instinct to hunt at night. A hungry cat will exhibit excessive vocalizations until he finally gets your attention.

4. Health Conditions

Particular health conditions cause cats to be uncomfortable, hyperactive, and highly needy at night while you are trying to get some sleep. These conditions include dementia, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, pain, and chronic illness.

How to Get Your Cat to Sleep at Night

Training is the most appropriate way to encourage your hyperactive cat to sleep at night. The essential part is to schedule daytime play and feed your cat instead of rewarding his unwanted nighttime behavior with attention and affection. A vigorous playtime right before your cat’s last feeding at night will lead him to a perfect point of exhaustion.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Try Keeping Your Cat Awake Longer

Engage your cat in active play throughout the evening. Playing games with your cat, such as feather teasers, fetch, and laser light play, can tire your cat. Try using KONG Feather Teaser Cat Toy or AFP Classic Comfort 3 Blind Mice Cat Toy because they inspire active sport and balanced exercise. The longer you can keep your cat awake, the more likely they will sleep the entire night.

2. Keep Your Cat Entertained When You Are Not Around

It’s essential to give your cat daytime activity, especially when you are not around. The following are some ways to keep your kitty engaged during the day while you are away. These play sessions address another common reason your cat can’t sleep at night.

• Provide your cat with interactive toys like Catit Play Spinning Bee Toy for endless entertainment that will make your him go wild in your absence.
• Leave your television on to keep your cat busy. Try nature shows.
• Use treats to engage your cat. Make sure you don’t give them too many treats. You can set smart bowls to open at specific times to dispense treats.

3. Change Your Cat’s Feeding Schedule

Stick to an ideal feeding schedule that keeps your kitty active during the day and docile at night. Feed three meals daily; they should be no longer than 6-8 hours apart. Avoid free-feeding your cat because they’ll get used to waking up at midnight to eat. Much like we do, cats also fall asleep after eating. So, offer your cat a small meal right before bedtime.

Set an automatic feeder if your cat likes to wake up early in the morning for food. Discourage midnight feeding. Try Absolute Holistic Air Dried Beef & Venison Cat Food or Ziwipeak Beef Air Dried Cat Dry Food for better results.

4. Set Up a Separate Sleeping Space for Your Cat

If your cat continues to disturb you at night even after doing all the above, consider setting up a cozy sleeping area for your cat separate from your sleeping space. Just use FuzzYard Life Cat Cubby or Petkit Cozy Smart Pet House to avoid all the hustles and bustles. Ensure your cat has access to water, toys, food, and a litter tray.

5. Ignore Your Cat’s Demands Unless necessary

Try not to respond to your cat’s demands unless necessary. Getting up at midnight to feed your cat so you can get some sleep teaches them that they’ll finally get what they want if they bug you long enough. Pushing away a kitten that is pestering eventually becomes a game. Even though it may be hard, ignore all these behaviors entirely and take the proper steps to prevent them from occurring.

6. Consult Your Vet

Your vet may prescribe a natural sleep remedy or any other medication if your cat does not respond to any adjustment. Treating several health problems like dementia or hyperthyroidism may also help your cat get some sleep at night and early in the morning. Check out perrovets.

A Quick Checklist on How to Get Your Cat to Sleep at Night

• Active play- An hour or two before bedtime
• Feeding- Give your cat nutritious food before bedtime, just after play
• Ignoring- Don’t pay attention to your cat’s utterances at night, no matter how cute or loud they are.