Why do cats cry like a baby at night? Have you ever been dreaming peacefully when your sleep is suddenly chokingly disrupted by your howling cat’s screaming?
The howl is sharp, shrill, and loud – and it even sounds like a baby crying, strangely enough; it may even startle you the first time you hear it. So, why are kittens wailing like babies? Cats scream like babies to communicate basic needs like food, water, and love. When female cats are in heat, they scream. To express a specific response, cats can change the tone of their voices from short meows to long howls.
Why a Cat Cries Like a Baby at Night: Reasons
Feeding Time!
As I previously stated, a cat’s cries are sometimes focused on something she requires, but she does not require it. She could be starving. It’s a simple rule: if your cat is hungry, it won’t hesitate to tell you.
But be careful: if he wants food, resist the urge to get up in the middle of the night to feed him. Then he’ll figure out that crying at night produces sugar, and you’ll have a bad habit on your hands! Instead, feed your baby in the evening so that his stomach does not growl at the stroke of midnight.
Saw Something Interesting
Another possibility is that she is seeing a different cat. It’s time to howl if she spends her late-night hours patrolling the windows and sees another feline wandering around.
Cats are naturally aggressive animals, but they become agitated when they see another feline on their territory. A yowl in this situation could indicate that she wants to leave. It could also be a sign of fear and helplessness, of not being able to do something if she’s an indoor cat.
Illness or Injury
Cats can cry or yowl for no apparent reason due to illness or injury. Make an appointment with a veterinarian if the behavior is unexplained or sudden, so that any physical causes for the noise-making can be ruled out. Pay attention to when and where it occurs. Keeping a journal will help you spot any patterns and discuss them with your veterinarian.
She Wants Attention
Why do cats cry like a baby at night? Some cats yowl to make demands on their humans: let me outside, let me back inside or give me more food, etc. If your cat doesn’t like its carrier, then you may be familiar with wailing as a form of protest. Bored cats can be vocal cats, too. You might notice this more in outdoor cats who are temporarily being kept inside following a house move or when they’re recuperating from an injury. Make sure there are plenty of toys to stimulate their mind and instinct. We’ve found that window perches can be useful especially if you have a lot of native birdlife in your garden. There are outdoor enclosures you can buy to give indoor or recuperating cats some outside time. You can also take indoor cats outside in a stroller to give them something else to do. Cats recovering from illness or injury might benefit from wearing a leash or harness around the garden for fresh air. Cats work on a different schedule than humans. They’re most active around dawn and dusk which is why you’re more likely to hear yowling during the early hours.
Feeling Isolated
Isolation is a perfect excuse for howling. Mostly if your pet is brand new to your home and more used to being in, say, a litter of fellow kittens or a shelter crowded with other animals.
If you suspect this is the case, make it a nice location in your apartment. Sure, you’re not going to be the active companion he might seek, but in many cases, your presence is enough.
Aging
Cats that are older may also cry. They will be stressed as a result of the disorientation caused by moving to a new location.
They are vocal about how they are feeling as part of their adjustment process. While it is easier to calm and reassure kittens, older cats require more attention before they feel safe.
Unfortunately, as cats get older, some develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome. In humans, this is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Felines suffering from this degenerative disease may experience periods of confusion, which may cause them to cry out in fear. Background music that is soothing can provide some relief.
Anxiety and Boredom
Cats, especially indoor ones may suffer from anxiety and absolute boredom. After all, felines are naturally intelligent and inquisitive.
Being held indoors, they quickly tire from their limited, 4-walled surrounding and may want to experience that vast amount of stimulating outdoor life. If you haven’t noticed yet, cats are more active and playful at night. This is because nighttime brings them instincts that prompt them to go stalking or hunting for small prey.
Their nighttime cries mean they want amusement. They want to play. Giving them toys that stimulate their minds can help lessen their boredom.
While this is true for indoor cats, those who have plenty of access to the outside environment can be vocal for a completely different reason.
Territorial Instincts
Cats who have access to the outside tend to demarcate their territory. They do this by leaving their scent on them and keeping an eye out for intruders. Cats, too, have border disputes.
When this happens, there is a lot of howling and yowling. Especially when the cat is inside the house and sees an intruder through the window.
They will cry to let you know they need to get out when it feels like they can’t do anything else.
Is Cat Crying a Bad Sign
Why do cats cry like a baby at night? As previously stated, cat crying is common and is merely a sign of boredom. However, it can occasionally be a symptom of something more serious.
Cats that have recently been adopted, for example, may be confused or disoriented in their new surroundings. Older cats, in particular, have a harder time adjusting to a new environment.
Yes, you are providing a better home for your new adoptee than, say, the streets or a shelter. However, as comfortable as it is, he may become perplexed as to why everything is suddenly different.
Continue to be a patient and loving cat parent; he’ll adjust to his new surroundings eventually!
Alternatively, even if your cat is not in a new home, he may continue to act as if he is. Some cats, particularly those that are older, may develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome. This is the feline equivalent of Alzheimer’s disease, in which cats become easily confused, disoriented, and anxious.
Though there is no cure, maintaining a regular schedule and maintaining a secure environment can help; a veterinarian can also prescribe medication, such as anti-anxiety pills.
Best Ways to Stop a Crying Cat at Night
Why do cats cry like a baby at night? You can keep your cat from crying out in the middle of the night in a variety of ways. You should try some of the following techniques once you’ve ruled out any serious medical conditions.
If hunger is the cause, as previously stated, you’ll need to make sure your cat is getting enough food, and you can try switching up their feeding schedule so they get more food before bed.
To keep them from becoming bored, make sure they get enough exercise and have plenty of toys to play with whenever they want.
You could also try to change your cat’s routine. Despite the fact that cats are naturally more alert at dawn and dusk, you can work with your cat to help him sleep through the night. Social cats make this much easier because they want to be with you when you’re awake and snuggle with you when you’re sleeping.
Add a couple of nightlights throughout the house for cats who have vision impairments or are older and have dementia to help them navigate. These extra lights will keep them from becoming frightened.
Finally, you could choose to ignore your cat’s antics. If they cry out and you always pay attention to them, they may learn that calling gets them what they want. They will usually move on to something else if you ignore them.
Frequently asked questions
Final Words
Why do cats cry like a baby at night? The cat’s nighttime screams normally don’t last long, and the reason can usually be swiftly identified, corrected, and peace restored.
You’ll be able to get some much-needed rest in no time! Look for indicators of anything more dangerous, and if you’re not sure, take your cat to the vet.
There isn’t much to discuss here! Simply find out what your cat wants, and if that’s the case, put an end to the struggle!
Last but not least, maybe a cat screams at night because it is boring. Make sure you’re experimenting with it during the day, and perhaps it’ll become part of your nighttime habit, allowing you to sleep well while you’re doing it.
If you’ve ever heard your cat meowing and weeping incessantly in the middle of the night, please share your story in the comments area below!