How to Calm a Cat Down at Night: 9 Vet-Approved Ways
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It’s not uncommon for some cats to get a bit rambunctious during the night. Rather than being nocturnal, cats are crepuscular animals that are most active at dusk and dawn, but this can certainly extend into the wee hours of the morning.
Whether it is their rowdiness keeping you from getting a full night’s rest, or your cat is just hungry or seeking out your attention in the middle of the night, you would probably prefer to get in a full night of uninterrupted sleep. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can try to balance your cat’s needs and your own. Here are a few tips on how to keep your cat calm during the night.
The 9 Possible Ways to Calm a Cat Down at Night
1. Set Aside Playtime Before Bed
Depending on what time you need to sleep, try and carve out some time within a couple of hours beforehand to tire them out. If you keep them bouncing around and preoccupied with toys and activities, you may convince them to go to bed around the same time you do, and you may be able to sleep peacefully.
In addition to keeping your kitty calm at night, daily play has many benefits for your cat. Play stimulates their instincts and provides needed enrichment and mental stimulation. According to experts, playtime can reduce anxiety, prevent destructive behavior, improve mental health, and even increase lifespan.
- Laser Pointers
- Puzzle Toys
- Fetch
- Hide and Seek
- Catnip
- Prey Chasing with Toy Mice or Balls
- Pole or Wand Toys
- Scratchers
- Tunnels
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2. Stay on a Routine
Most households have a weekly routine to keep up with work or school schedules. For cats that like to stay up at night, having them get used to a routine can help change their schedule to suit yours. The best way to establish a routine is to feed them at specific times each day and set aside time for play, as mentioned above.
If you provide evening playtime followed by a hearty meal, your cat will be much more likely to sleep rather than run around the house or pester you as you try and get a good night’s sleep.
Keeping on a routine is not just beneficial for you; it is also helpful for your cat. Cats thrive on routine and rely on predictability in their life. Most cats experience stress and anxiety with any changes to a routine.
- Feed adult cats twice per day at the same time (ideally right before bed)
- Set aside playtime for certain times each day
- Set aside time for bonding (snuggling, brushing, etc.)
- Clean the litter box on the schedule
3. Try Using Pheromone Spray
By now, you may have heard that a pheromone spray is effective for some cats. There have even been studies that have proven the positive effects that pheromone sprays can have on some kitties. The synthetic pheromones are odorless for humans and mimic the natural calming pheromones that cats give off when feeling happy, safe, and secure.
Most owners try pheromone spray for a wide variety of reasons including travel, visits to the veterinarian, combating destructive behavior or spraying, and relieving anxiety and stress.
Trying out a spray or diffuser may help keep your cat calm at nighttime and allow you both to sleep. Remember that it may not work for all cats, but it is worth trying, and the sprays come in a reasonable price range.
4. Make Sure They Have a Comfortable Place to Sleep
It is no secret that cats love to spend time snoozing, from 15 to 20 hours a day. So, you must provide them with a comfortable place to rest. If your kitty is a bit much for you in the middle of the night, getting them a cozy, secure cat bed may work wonders.
Cats will have different preferences, but overall cats enjoy a nice, safe place up off the ground to tucker away and get some much-needed napping in. There’s no shortage of cat beds, hammocks, and tower options on the market.
With cats sleeping an average of 15 hours a day, you'll want to supply your companion with a bed that offers maximum comfort. Our Hepper Nest Bed was designed to support the various needs of cats of all ages, sizes and ailments, making it an excellent choice for any feline. It's high sides and wide top edge embrace kitties in whichever position they prefer to sleep in. A removable, machine washable liner ensures you can keep their bed fresh without compromising the structure of the durable foam shell meaning this modern bed will last your cat many years and cozy naps. Learn more about the Nest here.
5. Turn on Some Classical Tunes or Some Cat Music
Did you know that turning on music has been proven to reduce stress in cats? There have been a few different studies that have shown promise for both classical and cat-specific music promoting relaxation.
So, what’s cat-specific music exactly? It’s music that is created using the same frequencies and tempos that mimic their vocalizations. Overall, cat-specific music is the best choice, but classical music had some great results, too.
6. Feed Your Cat Before Bed
If your cat gets hunger pangs in the middle of the night, you can rest assured they are coming to find their human if there is no food available for scavenging. To keep your cat’s appetite from waking you up in the middle of the night, try feeding them right before bed. This goes hand-in-hand with setting a routine that includes feeding.
If you can make this a nightly habit, your cat is unlikely to have any issues going the entire night without more food. If you have trouble feeding your cat at specific times due to your schedule, try investing in an automatic feeder. They can be set to dispense at certain times, and you can automatically control them from your smartphone.
7. Keep Toys Accessible
You should always have toys easily accessible to keep your kitty entertained even while you are away. If you keep toys put up, it won’t give your cat the chance to keep themselves entertained. If you have the space, you could create a cat room just for toys and furniture. This would provide their own little safe haven and entertainment room.
In addition, it would keep the rest of the house from being filled with toys, tunnels, and various forms of feline entertainment. Just make sure to have a rotation of toys instead of always having the same ones available. This prevents your cat from getting bored of them.
8. Shut Your Bedroom Door
If your cat gets needy at night, try shutting your bedroom door and removing access to you entirely during the night. This may not work for all cats, as some will keep you up by scratching at the door and vocalizing, begging to get in to see you. That would defeat the whole purpose, after all.
Of course, we know it is hard to miss out on those beloved kitties’ snuggles, so if you want to have your cat as your bedtime snuggle buddy, this option won’t be your ideal choice.
9. Get Your Cat a Friend
If you have heard the expression “the more the merrier,” that may be the solution to your problem. If your cat is all over you at night, it may be because they are a bit lonely and seeking attention. If you have more than one cat, they may buddy up and keep each other company.
Of course, we know how cats can be selective about who they share their home with, so you’ll need to consider your cat’s personality. What better excuse to get yourself a new cat? If this is a consideration, try reaching out to your local animal shelter or cat rescue. They are sure to have plenty of lovable kitties available for adoption.
Conclusion
Being kept up at night by your cat may be frustrating, but there are plenty of things you can try to tire them out and keep them calm during the night. There may not be a one-size-fits-all approach, but these tips will surely help along in the process.
If you ever feel that your cat’s behavior at night is abnormal or could be cause for concern, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for an examination. It is best to rule out any health conditions or behavioral issues so that you can get this problem solved quickly and efficiently.
Featured Image Credit: mariavp, Pixabay
