What Are the Possible Causes?

For Reassurance

One of the most regular complaints from cat carers, is of their cat's loud 'crying' in the middle of the night. This behaviour is unfortunately very common, particularly in older cats. Usually she just wants attention and reassurance that her humans are still around and she has not been left on her own. They also tend to meow during the day as well, but the night call always seems to sound louder and more demanding!

Older cats do not move as fast or as easily as they did when they were younger, and sometimes, they find it easier to call for their humans, rather than going to them. Older cats in generally tend to depend more on their humans not only for food and accommodation, but also for reassurance.

Younger cats may also get into the habit of 'crying' in the middle of night, often because they may be feeling anxious. This could possibly be due to changes in their environment, or perhaps if they've moved house.

Creatures of Habit

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 behaviour works and it will get her the attention she wants. By getting up and checking on the cat we ourselves unintentionally are reinforcing this kind of behaviour (our cats 'train' us to do what they want us to do!)

Routine

If cats become used to being fed at 6 in the morning, they will demand to be fed at that time everyday (even weekends or holidays!). They have made a direct association of their human getting out of bed with being fed, and will meow to their human(s) every morning to get up and feed them when they feel hungry.

What Can You Do To Help?

Establish a Better Routine

Routine helps cats to feel relaxed and secure. So by establishing a general routine for feeding, attention and play times the cat carers then will avoid situations that might upset and stress the cat. Such a routine could also include for example, the carer to make sure just before bed time that the cat has a little play session so she uses some of the energy built up through the day (particularly for indoor cats that tend to sleep most of the time, when their humans are not at home). This could then be followed with some food; perhaps half of her dinner kept back from her mealtime. If she is tired and full she probably won't feel like getting up as early to start meowing.

Because cats are creatures of habit and routine, if the cat carer is going to break one of their established routines then he/she will need to establish another for them. So instead of going to the cupboard to feed the demanding cat immediately on getting out of bed, do something else first, and wait for at least 10 minutes before attending to the cat's need. This way the cat will not make the direct association of her human getting up with feeding her or letting her outside. As a result the cat will stop bothering her human(s) to get up.

Relieve Boredom

It is also important that the cat has things to do when she wakes up. For example, if she has toys to play with, or some hidden toys for her to find. Perhaps leave some paper bags or cardboard boxes for her to entertain herself, so she doesn't feel bored and start meowing to get attention. Also it is a good idea to leave some biscuits around for her to eat, or hide a few biscuits or treats for her to find. In this way, not only will she have something to munch until her regular feeding time, but also searching for her treats will keep her entertained, and therefore she is less likely to begin meowing.

Older Cats

If she is an older cat it might be a good idea if she is not left alone at night, for example being left downstairs while her humans are sleeping upstairs. It can help reassure her if she is able to get to her human's room if she wants to.

Don't Give In

The most important thing is that the cat learns that meowing doesn't get her anywhere. So the cat carers must try to ignore her, and not to give in one night and try again the next. This will confuse the cat and it will simply make things worse. Ignoring the cat means that you don't even talk to her; pet her or even look at her as she might see this kind of behaviour as getting the attention she tried to get in the first place. Solutions such as burying one's self under the cover, wearing earplugs or listening to music etc, can be tried as long as the human doesn't give in to the cat's night cry. After a few nights (dependent on the individual cat) she will have learned that meowing doesn't work, and it is also possible in some cases to adapt to her human's sleeping routine.

Further Information

Remedial Products

Other aids such Feliway for a calm environment, as well as Bach Flower Remedies can also be used and can help to improve the situation. But of course for the Bach Flower Remedies to be effective, it will be required to be suggested accordingly to individual needs and character of the cat.

If you would like guidance on which particular Bach remedies might suit your cat, you can email our Behavioural Adviser (below). Please include a detailed description of your cat's nature, behaviour and domestic circumstances.

Behaviour Advisor

You can email Cat Chat's own behavioural adviser at:

Links

Feliway spray and diffuser: www.feliway.uk.com
Information, understanding and help with cat's behavioural problems: www.daily-meowing.com
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