Cat Crying at Night: Reasons and Solutions to the Mystery Behind the Night Owl
Cats making annoying noises at night is a problem that plagues many cat owners. This not only affects the owner's sleep quality, but also reflects the fact that the cat may have some potential physiological or psychological needs. So, what causes cats to cry at night? How can we solve this problem?
Loneliness
For kittens who are just starting to live independently, the feeling of loneliness at night is one of the main reasons for their crying. Kittens have lived with their mother and siblings since childhood, and suddenly being raised alone can make them feel uneasy and scared. Especially at night, they will miss their mother even more and make crying noises.
In addition to loneliness, kittens may also cry because of hunger. As kittens grow and develop, they need a lot of nutrients and need to be fed every 2-3 hours. If they are not fed in time at night, they will cry because of hunger.
Hunger
Adult cats usually need to be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. But some cats may eat less during the day and save most of their food for the night. If the owner does not provide them with food in time, they may feel hungry at night and make noises to remind the owner.
In addition, some cats may be more hungry at night than usual because they have exercised too much during the day and consumed too much energy. If the owner feeds them snacks every time they hear them crying, they may develop a habit of crying at night to ask for snacks.
Want to Play
Cats that sleep most of the day may be full of energy at night and want to play. Especially those cats who are kept indoors during the day and lack exercise, they will be more eager to play after the owner comes home at night, and try to attract the owner's attention by making noises.
Even if the owner has gone to bed, these cats may continue to make noises because of boredom and depression. This is related to the cat's natural habits. Cats are crepuscular animals, and they are more active at dawn and dusk.
Want to Use the Toilet
If the litter box is not clean, the cat may make noises at night and try to remind the owner to clean the litter box in this way. Cats don't like to defecate in a dirty litter box, and if the litter box is not cleaned for a long time, they may choose to defecate elsewhere.
To avoid this, owners should clean the litter box regularly, at least once a day. If you find it difficult to clean, you can consider replacing it with a larger litter box or adding more litter boxes.
Estrus
Cats in estrus, especially male cats, will make high-pitched noises trying to attract the opposite sex. Male cats' cries are usually very loud and have a unique frequency, similar to crying sounds. In addition to cries, male cats will also spray urine with a special smell to mark their territory.
Female cats' cries are not as obvious as male cats' during estrus, but they will also make noises at night. The estrus period of female cats is usually 4 to 10 days, during which they will make frequent noises and exhibit other estrus behaviors, such as rubbing their bodies, rolling over, etc. Even if the female cat's estrus period is over, if they have not mated or ovulated, they may go into estrus again within two weeks.
Discomfort
If the cat is in poor health, such as injury, illness, etc., it may make noises at night to remind the owner. Cats usually use cries to express physical pain or discomfort, so owners need to carefully observe the cat's behavior and seek veterinary help in time.
How to Prevent Cats from Crying at Night
针对不同的原因，我们需要采取不同的措施来防止猫在晚上乱叫。
1. Clean the Litter Box
If the cat is making noises because the litter box is not clean, the owner should clean the litter box before going to bed. If conditions permit, it is best to clean the litter box several times a day. If you find it difficult to clean, you can consider replacing it with a larger litter box or adding more litter boxes.
2. More Exercise During the Day
If the cat only sleeps or lies down during the day, the owner should encourage them to get more exercise. You can prepare some toys for them, such as scratching posts, cat wands, etc., and play with them regularly. You can also take the cat outdoors to let them play freely and release their energy.
3. Ignore
If the cat is making noises because of loneliness or trying to get the owner's attention, the owner should ignore them. If you respond to them every time you hear them crying, they may cry more frequently.
4. Neutering
If the cat is making noises because of estrus, consider neutering them. Neutering can effectively solve most cat behavior problems related to estrus, such as nighttime cries, spraying urine, etc.
5. Physical Examination
If the reason why the cat makes noises at night is unknown, or if there are other abnormal behaviors besides cries, it is recommended to take them to a pet hospital for a physical examination. Veterinarians can help determine the root cause of the cat's crying and provide corresponding treatment plans.
6. Dementia in Senior Cats
Senior cats who make frequent noises at night may have dementia. Symptoms of dementia include daytime sleepiness, waking up at night, frequent urination, getting lost, slow reaction, etc.
If you suspect your senior cat has dementia, take them to a pet hospital for a checkup. Currently, there is no cure for dementia, but it can be slowed down by some medications and environmental improvements.
Conclusion
Cats making noises at night is a common phenomenon, but the reasons can vary, and the responses are also different. Owners need to judge the reasons for the cat's crying based on the cat's age, personality, living environment, etc., and take appropriate measures.
Scolding will not solve the problem. In most cases, improving the cat's living environment and meeting their needs can effectively reduce the frequency of the cat's crying at night. In addition, some senior cats may cry because of dementia. Owners need to take them to a pet hospital for a checkup in time and receive appropriate treatment.
Loneliness
For kittens who are just starting to live independently, the feeling of loneliness at night is one of the main reasons for their crying. Kittens have lived with their mother and siblings since childhood, and suddenly being raised alone can make them feel uneasy and scared. Especially at night, they will miss their mother even more and make crying noises.
In addition to loneliness, kittens may also cry because of hunger. As kittens grow and develop, they need a lot of nutrients and need to be fed every 2-3 hours. If they are not fed in time at night, they will cry because of hunger.
Hunger
Adult cats usually need to be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. But some cats may eat less during the day and save most of their food for the night. If the owner does not provide them with food in time, they may feel hungry at night and make noises to remind the owner.
In addition, some cats may be more hungry at night than usual because they have exercised too much during the day and consumed too much energy. If the owner feeds them snacks every time they hear them crying, they may develop a habit of crying at night to ask for snacks.
Want to Play
Cats that sleep most of the day may be full of energy at night and want to play. Especially those cats who are kept indoors during the day and lack exercise, they will be more eager to play after the owner comes home at night, and try to attract the owner's attention by making noises.
Even if the owner has gone to bed, these cats may continue to make noises because of boredom and depression. This is related to the cat's natural habits. Cats are crepuscular animals, and they are more active at dawn and dusk.
Want to Use the Toilet
If the litter box is not clean, the cat may make noises at night and try to remind the owner to clean the litter box in this way. Cats don't like to defecate in a dirty litter box, and if the litter box is not cleaned for a long time, they may choose to defecate elsewhere.
To avoid this, owners should clean the litter box regularly, at least once a day. If you find it difficult to clean, you can consider replacing it with a larger litter box or adding more litter boxes.
Estrus
Cats in estrus, especially male cats, will make high-pitched noises trying to attract the opposite sex. Male cats' cries are usually very loud and have a unique frequency, similar to crying sounds. In addition to cries, male cats will also spray urine with a special smell to mark their territory.
Female cats' cries are not as obvious as male cats' during estrus, but they will also make noises at night. The estrus period of female cats is usually 4 to 10 days, during which they will make frequent noises and exhibit other estrus behaviors, such as rubbing their bodies, rolling over, etc. Even if the female cat's estrus period is over, if they have not mated or ovulated, they may go into estrus again within two weeks.
Discomfort
If the cat is in poor health, such as injury, illness, etc., it may make noises at night to remind the owner. Cats usually use cries to express physical pain or discomfort, so owners need to carefully observe the cat's behavior and seek veterinary help in time.
How to Prevent Cats from Crying at Night
针对不同的原因，我们需要采取不同的措施来防止猫在晚上乱叫。
1. Clean the Litter Box
If the cat is making noises because the litter box is not clean, the owner should clean the litter box before going to bed. If conditions permit, it is best to clean the litter box several times a day. If you find it difficult to clean, you can consider replacing it with a larger litter box or adding more litter boxes.
2. More Exercise During the Day
If the cat only sleeps or lies down during the day, the owner should encourage them to get more exercise. You can prepare some toys for them, such as scratching posts, cat wands, etc., and play with them regularly. You can also take the cat outdoors to let them play freely and release their energy.
3. Ignore
If the cat is making noises because of loneliness or trying to get the owner's attention, the owner should ignore them. If you respond to them every time you hear them crying, they may cry more frequently.
4. Neutering
If the cat is making noises because of estrus, consider neutering them. Neutering can effectively solve most cat behavior problems related to estrus, such as nighttime cries, spraying urine, etc.
5. Physical Examination
If the reason why the cat makes noises at night is unknown, or if there are other abnormal behaviors besides cries, it is recommended to take them to a pet hospital for a physical examination. Veterinarians can help determine the root cause of the cat's crying and provide corresponding treatment plans.
6. Dementia in Senior Cats
Senior cats who make frequent noises at night may have dementia. Symptoms of dementia include daytime sleepiness, waking up at night, frequent urination, getting lost, slow reaction, etc.
If you suspect your senior cat has dementia, take them to a pet hospital for a checkup. Currently, there is no cure for dementia, but it can be slowed down by some medications and environmental improvements.
Conclusion
Cats making noises at night is a common phenomenon, but the reasons can vary, and the responses are also different. Owners need to judge the reasons for the cat's crying based on the cat's age, personality, living environment, etc., and take appropriate measures.
Scolding will not solve the problem. In most cases, improving the cat's living environment and meeting their needs can effectively reduce the frequency of the cat's crying at night. In addition, some senior cats may cry because of dementia. Owners need to take them to a pet hospital for a checkup in time and receive appropriate treatment.
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