Content
- Cat meows in the morning, why?
- Why do cats meow at night?
- 1. Your cat is hungry
- 2. Your cat is sick
- 3. Your cat seeks attention
- Does your cat wake you up by purring?
- How to make the cat sleep through the night?
Used to waking up 10 minutes before ringing the alarm? And at this point, do you feel a sudden jerk in your face? Your furry friend probably wakes you up in the morning and won't let you sleep anymore, right? You may be wondering why your cat does this, is there any reason to worry, and what you can do to try change this habit of your mornings.
Have you ever wondered "why does the cat wake me up at dawn? To begin to answer this question, we must know that cats are twilight animals. It means that the metabolism is more active during sunrise and sunset. So it's normal for your feline friend to wake you up during these periods.
However, if this already is becoming a problem for you, follow PeritoAnimal and we'll go deeper into the subject to find out how to solve this situation.
Cat meows in the morning, why?
As we mentioned earlier, cats are not nocturnal or diurnal. They are twilight creatures, which means they are awake and more active when sunrise and sunset. Why? One of your ancestors, the African wildcat[1] can help us understand. He used to use these times of day to hunt small prey such as rats and mice, an instinct that has prevailed among felines.
The cat is most active at this time of day. Okay, but how can he know what time it is? It's Simple: by sunlight. This is the most obvious sign that it's time to wake up. During the summer, for example, it may happen that the cat gets up earlier than in winter, as it is early morning.
However, you may wonder why he does this and what happens with your cat. There are several causes that can lead to this situation and it is essential to find the reasons to resolve this issue. Next, we'll help you analyze the symptoms and situation.
Why do cats meow at night?
Does your cat wake you up by meowing? Does it all start with a shy sound that increases the more you ignore it? There are several reasons that explain this behavior. Let's meet the three most common causes:
1. Your cat is hungry
If your cat feeds a long time before going to bed, it is likely to start begging for food earlier. Cats love routine, as we already know. So if you put your food in early, Monday through Friday, it's logical to understand that on Saturday and Sunday he expects the same. cats don't understand when It's weekend.
2. Your cat is sick
It is unusual for a cat to wake up its owner in the morning because it is feeling some discomfort. However, it is important discard this option, to ensure your cat's good health. You will know your cat is meowing because of an illness if he has never behaved like this before. If you suspect the cat is sick or if it hasn't had a checkup for more than 6 or 12 months, go to the vet to carry out a general overhaul.
If, despite this, your cat is reaching old age or is already an old cat, check the following health problems:
- Arthritis: You will notice a progressive decrease in your feline's activity level. The joints will start to swell and he will have less flexibility. Also, he may meow in certain positions and you will notice a change in his hygiene habits. Learn about arthritis in cats.
- hyperthyroidism: This disease usually presents in cats 12 years and older. There is no clear picture of symptoms and the diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian, who should perform a blood test and palpation of the thyroid gland.
- Arterial hypertension: Blood in urine, eye bleeding, dilated pupils, blindness, seizures, nosebleeds and weakness may be observed.
If you see any of these signs, don't hesitate! Consult your veterinarian so that the disease can be correctly diagnosed. Only then can a treatment be started to release your furry friend from suffering.
3. Your cat seeks attention
Do you pay attention when your cat meows? many cats meow to ask for food or attention, others meow when they want to be petted or brushed. For these situations, your cat may associate positive reinforcement followed by meowing. That is, your cat has learned that after meowing there will always be a reward. Be it food, a new toy or a caress.
If you are out of home during the day, your cat will most likely sleep while you're away. This can cause him to seek you out with meows for hugs and caresses when you arrive. However, morning is one of the most active periods of the cat's day, so it's not surprising that it vocalizes during these hours.
Does your cat wake you up by purring?
The cat is most active at dawn, during this period its metabolism is at maximum activity. For this simple reason, it is normal for him to try socialize early in the morning, waking its owner with a lot of purring.
Why do cats purr? Generally, they only purr with members of their nuclear family. It's your particular way of expressing pleasure and affection. This is proof that your little companion loves you and feels very safe on your side. That your cat purrs is a very positive sign and helps you avoid tension.
Also, your cat can sense when you are about to wake up. We humans have up to five stages of sleep, during which bodily functions change. Your furry friend will know when you are about to wake up, from your breathing and your heart rate, and will look forward to a lot. purrand caring.
How to make the cat sleep through the night?
Now you know why your cat became an efficient alarm clock, and at dawn! At PeritoAnimal, we'll offer some useful tips and advice to help you give it a try. fix this behavior:
- lower the blinds before bed or use dark curtains. This prevents sunlight from reaching the room where the cat sleeps, so he won't notice that it's really daylight until he decides to get up.
- If your cat wakes you up because he's bored, keep him entertained during the day with games, massages or a good brushing. However, if you have little time to devote to your feline friend, you can improve the environmental enrichment with houses and cat holes, catwalks, nests, interactive and intelligent toys, food dispersers, catnip, for example.
- feed your cat before bed and wait a while to fill your bowl after getting up. The process can take a few weeks, but you'll notice that your cat will readjust its habits and start asking for food later.
- Use the positive reinforcement in the right moment. Try not to respond when your cat meows, wanting you to get up. Responding includes removing it, making "shhht" or stroking it. If your cat tries to get your attention, even if the response is not pleasant for him, if you respond, you are reinforcing him. It may seem very difficult, but it's best to devote attention and caressing only when the cat is quiet and silent, so he associates tranquility with massage and a little attention.
Remember that closing your bedroom door, using aversives or scolding, will not give you good results. Patience, affection and trying to understand the feline psychology, can be the best tools to solve this problem.
If after a week or two of strictly applying these rules, you don't see improvement, it might be interesting consult an ethologist, that is, a veterinarian specializing in animal behavior.
