My cat isn’t sleeping at night

Cats are crepuscular creatures, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn. Their sleep schedule can, however, be adjusted to match ours. Here we will tell you how to best achieve this.

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The daily routine of a cat Why is my cat not sleeping at night? What should you do if your cat is bored? Take time for cuddling Sleeping problems due to illness

The daily routine of a cat

The daily routines of cats can be very different: some disappear through the cat flap straight after breakfast and spend the whole day out and about, while others are kept indoors and have a very limited territory. The amount of variety they have during the day depends on the individual living situation. If everyone has to leave the house to go to work or school, or to get other things done, the cat will lie down and spend the whole day relaxing. When the family gradually return home there is plenty of variety for the cat, however pets who never go outside and do not have other cats as companions often have too little activity during the day.

In the evening, they are in no way as tired as we are, and have a great deal of surplus energy. And because they are also nocturnal by nature, they will spend the night roaming around the house. If they go about this quietly, then it is no big problem, but some cats meow, scratch at the door, race around the apartment or look for a toy. This can deprive us of sleep and put us in a bad mood. It is therefore important to look for solutions.

Why is my cat not sleeping at night?

There can be a variety of reasons why your cat is not sleeping. The first step is therefore to find out why:

The cat has a pronounced nocturnal rhythm.
The cat is bored.
The cat is hungry.
The cat is not tired enough due to its lack of activity.
The cat wants to go outside or back into the house.
The cat wants attention.
The cat is seeking affection.
The cat is ill.

What should you do if your cat is bored?

Think about your cat’s daily routine and what the reason might be for the late-night disturbances. One common reason is that the cat is simply not tired. If you just lie around most of the day, you will be up and about at night. If this is the case, you should consider what can be done to improve the situation.

Getting a second cat
One possibility is to get a second cat. This is, after all, how cats prefer to live. Together they can chase each other around your home, play, and spend time cleaning themselves or simply enjoying each other’s company. They will thus not only be much more active during the day than a single cat, but they can also interact with each other at night and let you sleep in peace.
Playing with your cat
If a second cat is out of the question, then it is up to you to provide activities for your pet. Plan two or three play sessions a day. Use a fishing rod toy and toy mice, and play cat-and-mouse games with your four-legged friend. Ideally, one of the play sessions should take place in the evening so that your cat is sufficiently tired afterwards.
Allowing you cat to go outdoors
Consider whether you can allow your cat to go outside. Even a cat-proof balcony will add a lot of variety to your pet’s life. The same applies to time spent in the garden or the immediate surroundings. This is, however, only recommended if the neighbourhood is reasonably free of traffic. If letting your pet outside is an option, consider installing a cat flap. This will help you avoid the problem that some cat owners have of their cat wanting to be let in at night and scratching on the patio door. Alternatively, you can simply get your cat used to not being allowed out in the evening after a certain time.

Take time for cuddling

Cats are very social creatures. If there is no other cat in the household and they are not allowed outside, their humans will be their only source of contact. It is important to be aware of this responsibility. Take enough time every day for cuddling together. This is not only good for your cat, but also for you. It has been scientifically proven that the purring of a cat has a soothing and relaxing effect. So why not treat yourself to this free service?

Sleeping problems due to illness

If your cat has been relatively quiet at night over the years and this suddenly changes, you should consider whether it could have a medical condition. Reasons for a sleep disorder could be arthritis, senile dementia, hormonal fluctuations, high blood pressure or an overactive thyroid. Take your cat to the vet for a check-up. If nothing is found, go through the above points and try to find out the reason your cat is not sleeping. More attention, variety and affection during the day is often the perfect recipe for a good night’s sleep.