Midnight Crazies In Cats - Why Are Cats More Active In The Night?
Why do cats go crazy at night? If you have a cat at home, then this is a question you have asked yourself many times.
Midnight Crazies in cats are a common behaviour, where they get extremely active and excited at night and run around either meow-ing like crazy or howling.
For cat parents who are still doubtful of what the midnight crazies are and if your cat has it, here are a few behaviours of midnight crazies in cats:
- Your cat runs around at night
- They keep meowing and/or howling
- They behave as if they are chasing stuff around and may even jump on the bed and paw you.
If this is what your cat does, then your cat like many other cats has midnight/night crazies.
Every cat, regardless of breed, has moments when they have been extremely active at night. This common behaviour among cats could be caused by several things.
Let’s look at the most common reasons behind your cat’s night crazies:
Important Discussion Points In This Guide
- 3 Common Reasons Of Midnight Crazies In Cats
- How To Help A Cat With The Midnight Crazies
3 Common Reasons Of Midnight Crazies In Cats
Your Cat Is Alone & Bored
If your cat is alone at home in the daytime - there is a high chance they have little to no physical activity. This causes them to build up energy that they end up releasing at night time when their human is at home.
The rest that they take during the day when they are home alone and are bored, leads to the attention-seeking activity at night. This type of activity is also more common in households with single cats.
Your Cat Is Hungry
Just like hunger can change a human’s behaviour, it can change a cat’s behaviour too.
Cats have an instinct of feeding at night. So, if you find your cat acting unruly - it could be because they are hungry and want you to give them a midnight snack.
Your Cat Is Old or Has A Health Issue
Another common reason for night crazies in cats is because of old age or other health issues.
Cats' behaviour can change in a variety of ways as they age. Observing their behaviour as they grow old, will give you the answers to their new and unusual behaviours.
On the other hand, an underlying health issue could also be the cause behind your cat’s midnight crazies. Your cat may be feeling restless and uncomfortable and is acting out to grab your attention. If you see a drastic change in your cat's behaviour - it is best to consult with your Vet.
Though cats, in general, have a different sleep-wake cycle when compared to other animals, erratic behaviour in cats at night requires attention from the pet parent.
How To Help A Cat With The Midnight Crazies
Midnight crazies in cats are neither fun for the cat nor is for the pet parent. If you are in such a situation, here are a few things you can do as a pet parent:
Play With Your Cat Before Bedtime
An easy but important thing you can do to help your cat out is - play with them.
Spend quality time with your pet before their bedtime by playing or training. You can also opt for fun toys like a teaser or an automatic mouse toy.
Keep Them Entertained With Interactive Toys And Playtime
As we all know cats are quite picky - so, make sure they don’t get bored by their toys or through playtime.
To keep them mentally and physically stimulated even when you are not at home - choose toys like catnip toys or mouse toys to bring out their natural instincts. You can make playtime interactive with new games like cat and mouse chase!
Adjust Your Cat’s Feeding Schedule
A cat with a full stomach is bound to have a good night's sleep. To help your cat get rid of their midnight crazies, you can feed them their meals late at night rather than in the evening.
As a cat parent, you should also stick to a proper feeding schedule and not entertain cat treats in the middle of the night.
Create A Peaceful Environment For Your Cat
Before bedtime, put away any toys or things that can stimulate your cat. Do not feed them or bring them their favourite toy if they misbehave at night, as this can lead them to stick to their new behaviours. You could also consider crate training to reduce misbehaviour.
If none of these steps helps in getting your cat back to their usual schedule - try consulting with your vet.
But, though you may feel stressed or frustrated by your cat’s behaviour, as a cat parent you should remember that cats are nocturnal in nature. Do not punish them for this normal cat behaviour.
Happy Pet Parenting!
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