Why Do Cats Wake Their Humans Up at Night?

Our feline friends are naturally crepuscular, meaning their internal clock is set for them to be most active at dusk and dawn, the times when their natural prey is also active. So, one of the reasons why your cat is waking you up at night may be because of their twilight sleep pattern. 

But that’s not the only explanation. There are many other reasons behind the question ‘why do cats wake you up?’ In this blog, we’ll decode your kitty’s bedtime behaviour to discover the causes of those nighttime wake-ups and share tips on how to prevent them.  

Why Does My Cat Wake Me Up at Night?

Early-morning and late-night activity is common for our four-legged friends. This is mainly due to their sleep pattern, but it can also be reinforced by learned behaviours, such as associating these times with food or attention. 

To understand why your cat wakes you up, it’s important to consider the underlying reasons, some of which can include: 

• Natural instincts – Humans are diurnal, so active in the day and asleep during the night. While cats have adapted to fit with our schedules, their biological drive is still there. This, combined with their love for naps, means they’re more likely to be ready for action and play at night compared to us!

• Hunger or boredom – Your cat may wake you up due to hunger, especially if they associate nighttime with feeding, or boredom if they haven’t had enough play or attention during the day. Waking you up can become a learned behaviour to get food or interaction.

• Seeking attention – If your cat has learned that if they wake you, you’ll interact with them, they’ll repeat this behaviour to get human attention. 

• Health and well-being – If your cat is unwell, stressed, or older, they may wake you up due to discomfort or confusion.

• Disruptions – If they are disturbed by something, like a noise or a change in their environment, it can cause them to become stressed and restless and so they may look to you for comfort.

Do Cats Understand Human Sleep?

Although we may want to give our kitties the benefit of the doubt, cats absolutely understand human sleep. They are intelligent animals and can recognise patterns and cues, like darkness and quiet. Their daily routine can help them understand your stillness, but their interpretation of our long, still sleep periods may be confusing to them.

If your cat is waking you up at night, it’s certainly not because they don’t understand that you’re asleep. It’s more likely that their own needs, such as hunger, attention, or worry, override your peaceful slumber. 

How to Stop My Cat Waking Me Up?

Once you understand the reasons behind why your cat wakes you up at night, you can put measures in place to try and prevent it. Trying different things and observing what helps your cat can not only fulfil their needs but also make sure you get a good night’s rest! 

Some methods you can try to stop your cat from waking you up include: 

Adjusting Your Cat’s Feeding Schedule

Slightly adjusting your cat’s feeding schedule, such as offering some food before bedtime, can help them feel satisfied throughout the night. If you’re feeding your cat late at night, they may begin to associate this time with food. Shifting their feeding time to earlier can help prevent this.

Using an automatic or timed feeder can make frequent meals easier and can even mean your cat has access to food while you're asleep.

Increase the Number of Play Sessions

Consider when playtime is part of your cat’s daily routine and if you should increase the number of sessions. Providing mental and physical stimulation in the evening can help them burn off energy and prevent boredom. 

Make sure they have access to toys, scratching objects and climbing spaces. Rotating toys or incorporating interactive activities during mealtime can help keep them engaged throughout the day.

Create a Nighttime Routine

Making a nighttime routine can prevent your cat from waking you up at night. It helps them understand when it’s time to settle down for the night by providing structure, and not to mention that cats thrive on routine! 

Establishing a routine by having a consistent bedtime and predictable activities like feeding, playtime, and winding down helps you signal to your cat that it’s time to settle down. Helping their schedule align more with yours. 

Make a Safe and Secure Space 

Ensure your cat has a safe and secure resting spot. Having a sense of safety helps reduce stress, making your cat more likely to relax and rest properly. 

To improve your cat’s safe space, plug in FELIWAY Optimum where your cat rests. The calming diffuser sends messages of enhanced serenity to your cat, helping them feel safe and comfortable. Pair this with cosy bedding and blankets to keep them warm and see how they relax. 

Stick to the Rules 

If your cat is attention seeking, the best approach is to ignore their attempts – unless there’s a genuine safety issue, such as if they’ve been sick or have hurt themselves. Either way, you and everyone in the household need to stand firm with this as it may get worse before it gets better. Your cat may try even harder to elicit the same response from you before giving up.

In this situation, it’s important to continue providing enrichment opportunities during the day, when you’re awake, so your cat isn’t being deprived of attention altogether. This can be anything from playtime together to simple moments of interactions.

If your cat’s nighttime wakeups are new or have changed and can’t be explained by other things like the time of year, it’s a good idea to book a vet health check to rule out any underlying health issues.

If you’d like more guidance on helping cats at night, explore our other FELIWAY blogs and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our expert tips and advice.