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Cats are truly adorable, and it’s hard not to fall in love with their playful antics. While being forced awake every night isn’t ideal, staying mad at them for too long is hard.
If your cat’s chaotic nighttime routine leaves you exhausted in the morning, you’ve come to the right place.
Nocturnal animals, such as owls, stay active at night and sleep during the day. Is your kitty nocturnal too? Read on to find out.
Are Cats Nocturnal Creatures?
While cats may appear to be awake through the night, looking for snacks, cuddles and play, they are not nocturnal. It is just that they spend so much of their time sleeping during the day that they are supercharged in the night.
Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn.
Let’s discover more about what makes felines crepuscular.
Why are Cats Crepuscular?
There is a very simple explanation for why cats are crepuscular, and the answer is evolution. Before domestication, cats would hunt prey to survive. Their primary prey, birds and mice, are most active at twilight, which leads to cats staying up during those hours too.
With powerful vision, cats could seek prey without making their presence visible. Their polyphasic sleep patterns allowed them to stay alert against predators. Hence, their activity levels peaked at dawn and dusk, and they conserved energy during the day by taking multiple naps.
Crepuscular animals are divided into two subcategories.
- Matutinal: most active at dawn
- Vespertine: most active at dusk
And even though domesticated cats don’t need to hunt anymore, their evolutionary skills remain intact. Luckily, some house cats learn to adjust their routine and sleeping patterns around their humans.
If you want your cat to let you have one peaceful night of sleep, try these simple tips:
- Tire your cat out: Play before bedtime or spend plenty of time together during the day. That way, your cat’s energy is depleted, and it’ll be too tired to run around at night.
- Let them be independent: Teach your cat to be on its own, especially during the night. Once it learns that trying to wake you up isn’t fruitful, it might start sleeping or playing independently.
- Feed before bedtime: A full stomach will keep your kitty relaxed and at ease; therefore, it won’t feel the need to seek you out and wake you up for snacks at night.
These tips can help you get a full night’s sleep. It would also be wise to rule out any underlying conditions that may be disrupting their sleep. If you notice a sudden change in your cat’s routine or behavior, speak to a vet immediately.
If your cat is sleeping too much, you might want to look closer. Some reasons your cat might be sleeping too much are:
- Boredom: Your cat is bored and has nothing to do but sleep. Make sure to keep your kitty stimulated with lots of high-quality interactive toys.
- Stressed: When stressed or anxious, cats try different coping mechanisms, such as hiding and sleeping.
- Illness: Your cat could be sick and in pain or feeling lethargic. If you suspect that something is wrong, speak to a vet immediately.
We hope this blog was helpful and you can finally get a full night’s sleep. Be patient and give your cat time to adjust to your ways. In the meantime, use the extra hours to get as many cuddles as possible. Good luck!
