Every cat owner is familiar with night or morning awakenings: soft meowing, light paw jabs, rapid runs around the room—all this is the standard “arsenal” of our tailed friends. Sometimes it seems that cats have specially chosen a goal for themselves: to deprive us of sleep. In this article, I will analyze why cats wake up their owners, what instincts and habits are behind this, and what can be done to correct this behavior.
Why Do Cats Wake Up Their Owners?
The Main Reasons Why Cats Wake Up Their Owners
Habit – a nightly ritual of communication:
You may have unknowingly trained your pet to this nightly ritual. When your cat wakes you up at the same time, it most likely expects some kind of action in response. It is quite possible that you are used to checking the litter box, food, and water in the bowls, or simply distracting your pet with a game. Even a minimal reaction on your part becomes a signal for the cat: “Aha, this is how I get attention.” This mechanism quickly turns into a stable habit—the cat believes that certain actions lead to the owner’s attention.
The more you give in, the more the habit takes root. Try not to respond to night “calls” if you are sure that the cat is healthy and does not feel the need for help. Over time, the animal will understand that the owner should not be disturbed at night or in the morning. It is important not to make exceptions; otherwise, the cat may again perceive this as permission to wake you up at night or in the morning.
Instincts – awakening of the predator
Remember that cats are descendants of wild predators. In their natural environment, they are most active at dawn and dusk. These are the so-called periods of twilight activity: at this time, small animals go out in search of food, which turns evening and morning hours into ideal moments for hunting. And although cats have been domesticated by humans, their instincts have remained the same.
Even at home, your purr may feel the need to “get up early” so as not to leave its territory unattended. This may also be related to puberty and the instinct to reproduce. If a cat is looking for a partner, this may be reflected in her behavior: she begins to meow loudly and show anxiety, which is especially noticeable at night and in the morning. Sterilization or castration can help correct this activity.
Hunger as the main reason for early awakening
The need for food is one of the main reasons why a cat may wake you up. If the cat does not get enough food during the day or its diet is not balanced enough, the animal may feel hungry at night. The pet comes to you not because it wants to disturb your sleep but because at this time it simply does not have enough food. This applies to both full meals and available snacks.
To avoid waking up hungry, try giving your cat its last meal closer to your bedtime. You can also buy an automatic feeder with a timer that will dispense food at certain times. This will help your cat eat on time without disturbing you from your rest.
Cleanliness is a cat’s priority
Cats are famous for their love of cleanliness, especially when it comes to the litter box. If it is not cleaned in time, the pet may demonstratively ignore it and even “protest” with its behavior, showing that it is unhappy with the state of its toilet. Some cats do not tolerate when the litter box is not clean enough and may wake up the owner so that he can eliminate this “problem”. The solution here is simple: monitor the condition of the tray.
Boredom and the need for contact
Cats are social animals, and if their needs for communication and activity are not met during the day, they may begin to demand attention at night. While you are at work or doing your own thing, the cat rests, gaining strength, and when you return home, it is full of energy. Often, due to a lack of communication, the animal may choose the night or early morning for joint “entertainment”.
To help your cat burn off energy, try to spend more time with her in the evening. Playing, interacting, and, if possible, walking on a harness will help your cat release pent-up energy. Leave plenty of toys and stimuli for your cat to occupy herself, even when you are not around.
Health – focus on behavior change
If your cat wakes you up often, you should take a closer look to see if it is related to its health. Sometimes the cause of anxiety may be pain or discomfort. The animal cannot always express this in any other way, so it attracts your attention through night or morning awakenings. For example, problems with the urinary system, stomach, or joints can cause discomfort that is especially noticeable at night. At the first sign of behavioral changes, especially if accompanied by painful meowing or other symptoms, contact your veterinarian. A specialist will conduct an examination and help determine what is causing your pet’s anxiety.
Stress and fear – sensitivity to change
Cats are creatures for whom stability plays a huge role. Moving, the arrival of a new family member, changes in the environment – all this can cause stress in a cat. Sometimes changes in the environment lead to the fact that the cat becomes anxious and strives to be near the owner, even if it means waking him up. To help your pet adapt, create a calm and comfortable space for it. Try to minimize stressful situations and avoid sudden changes in your routine. Support and attention from the owner will help the cat cope with anxiety.
Ways to Correct Cat Behavior
As cats adapt to human life, they can learn to stick to a certain routine. However, this requires patience and effort. Here are some tips to help make unwanted awakenings rare:
- Establish a routine. Feed your cat, play with her, and end activities at the same time each day. This will help her get used to the schedule, and she will be able to more easily adjust to your sleep-wake cycles.
- Ignore unwanted behavior. If your cat is trying to get your attention at night or early in the morning, don’t respond to its calls, and over time the cat will stop bothering you.
- Play and pay attention in the evening. Try to “win” maximum energy from the cat before bedtime—this will help it to spend a peaceful night.
- Monitor the diet and feed on time. If necessary, consult a veterinarian about nutrition: this will help to exclude hunger as a reason for awakening.
- Clean the litter box. Clean the litter box regularly, especially before you go to bed, so that your cat does not wake you up because it is not clean.
When to Seek Help?
If your cat continues to bother you at night despite all the measures taken, contact a veterinarian or zoopsychologist. The veterinarian will check the animal’s health to rule out pathologies, and the zoopsychologist will help correct the behavior if the reason is psychological. Professional help can be useful, especially if your pet is stressed or afraid to be alone.
