Your sleeping cat may be misleading you. You might have noticed that your cat is sleeping with
her eyes closed and near the fridge the next.
We are left to wonder, “How did she do that?”
In reality, cats don’t sleep 16 hours per night; they sleep in alternating sleep and rest.
Let’s learn more about cats, their sleeping habits and why feline friends wake up violently.
Cat wakes up screaming?
Meow! This lovely greeting makes a great salutation throughout the day, and it’s an alarm
clock that blares at 4:30 am.
If your cat is annoyed by you, we understand. They may meow or lie on your head while you
sleep.
Your cat might be in deep sleep or have a nightmare.
Adrian Morrison, a veterinary neurologist, says that REM sleep is when a cat raises its head to
view something. So the next time your cat wakes up, check their reactions.
Research has shown that cats can have dreams about recent events and may also experience
nightmares. However, we don’t know how such severe dreams might be.
When sleeping, your cat might make squeaky or twitch noises, such as snorting, stretching, and
twitching. These behaviours are usually triggered by impulses that occur in your cat’s brain
throughout the night.
Your cat may have experienced a frightening incident, such as being chased by a dog.
Why does my cat wake up startled when I go to bed?
Cats are known for their ability to nap. Cats sleep most of the time, either on our laps or in their
favourite spot.
You may be surprised to learn that cats sleep twice as long as humans and can spend up to 15
hours each night sleeping. However, for extremely tired cats, this could easily reach 24 hours. It
is normal to feel startled by the fact that cats wake up every morning with a startle as if they are
being chased or scared.
Your cat might have night terrors, such as waking up at night. You should also be aware of other
reactions to sounds like the dread of outside or interior critters.
You can give your cat the rest they need if your cat is healthy. A veterinarian will check their
health and prescribe drugs if necessary.
They must feel well quickly as sleep plays an integral part in a cat’s life, so treating their
symptoms is possible as long as the cause is determined.
We don’t want to see tunnel vision. Your cat might be having trouble falling asleep, as we
discussed before. The cat’s horror at being jolted from deep sleep indicates that its brain reacts
with intense emotion. However, the real problem could be in their body.
Besides memories of hunting trips, our furry friend might have a medical reason for his startle.
Any source of the pain can cause discomfort, and severe itching can cause extreme discomfort in
allergic cats. They may run around the room like a shot from a gun, even if they are fully asleep
or just sitting still.
Your cat may wake up from a peaceful slumber due to an arthritic or intestinal problem. They
need safety and tranquillity.
What are the reason my cat suddenly wakes up and meows?
You may observe your cat sleeping and notice that they may twitch, flick their paws, kick, and
stir occasionally.
Rarely your cat might make very few noises or starts meowing at you. This behaviour may seem
strange initially, but many plausible explanations exist.
Sometimes, however, odd meowings may indicate that your cat needs medical attention.
You may wonder, “Why does my cat meow so much?” Could he have nightmares?
You can find many indicators to help you understand what’s happening and detect a problem. To
help you understand what’s happening and detect an issue, there are many indicators that you can
look for.
Scientists are still trying to understand what happens when cats sleep, but they have a good sense
of what is happening.
Cats make nighttime noises for many reasons. Catster says your cat might meow at you when
they feel bored, hungry or uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations. Lonely cats might seek you out
at night to wake you up and get you to sleep.
Sometimes, cats may meow or vocalize at night due to medical issues. Cats who have recently
moved may be anxious and start to whine. Cats with dementia may meow out of bewilderment.
What is the reason my cat gets scared while sleeping?
Cats have distinct sleep-wake rhythms from other animals and are often active at night.
Crepuscular cats hunt in the evenings and early mornings.
The REM cycle lasts longer and deepens their dreams. They may experience night terrors/night
terrors due to animal abuse or past hunting experiences.
These factors can cause a cat to react by flickering, twitching, moving its legs or even meowing
and scared.
Nighttime behaviour in cats is often called the night crazy and can lead to sleeplessness for
owners. If your cat refuses to go to sleep, there are some things you can do.
Nighttime cat behaviour signs
You may be awakened by your cat’s various activities at night. These activities can start in the
evening or wake you up in the middle of the night.
- Exciting wild play on you and your furniture
- When you’re sleeping, rub your toes.
- When you are asleep, push into your ears
- You may yowl or weep.
Cat behaviour at night causes
Sometimes cats are more active at night than in the morning, which is due to the cat’s natural
desire to hunt and travel during these seasons.
There may also be other reasons cats are excessively nocturnal, such as:
Being home alone. Your cat can be left alone at home during school or work hours. During this
time, your cat might spend most of its day relaxing or resting. This could lead to a cat that is
hyperactive at night.
Boredom. Your cat may feel bored if they spend most of their day alone. Your cat might be
calling you to get your attention. Cats are social animals, which could be social play for your cat.
Hunger. Cats often wake up in the middle of the night to eat, as this is their instinct to hunt in the
twilight hours.
Older cats. Cats’ sleeping habits change with age. Your cat might become more active at night
due to natural ageing or health issues.
Health issues. Some medical conditions can make your cat more active, nervous, or needy at
night.
These are just a few examples.
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic illness
- Problems with: Dementia can cause problems with:
a) Sleep disturbances
b) Poor memory
c) Neediness
Although your cat might be more active at night than usual, it is worth contacting your
veterinarian if they suddenly become more active or if there are any other health issues.
Why your cat won’t let you sleep at night?
It is common for cats to appear out of sync with their sleep/wake cycles.
Nature calls us daily, meaning that we wake up during the day and sleep at night.
It would be easy to assume that cats only do their work at night. However, this is not true.
Crepuscular cats are those that sleep at night.
Crepuscular animals tend to be most active in the early mornings and late evenings, and they are
also winding down, just like us. Cats are most likely to hunt, play, or engage in fundamental
activities.
This is when prey species such as rodents, often found in the wild, awaken and start to move
about. It’s prime time for predators (such as your cat) to awaken and hunt.
These tendencies are still present in many tamed cats. Cats can sleep up to 18 hours per day,
which is spread over a series of 78-minute naps.
They go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning to become active again. This could be a
severe confrontation!
How can you get your cat to sleep on a more comfortable schedule?
What to do for your cat’s quiet night’s sleep?
Some people are morning owls, while others are awake early, but most cats have a consistent
sleeping/wake cycle. Sometimes it is difficult to convince people to change their habits, and there
are many things you can do if your cat wakes you at night.
NOTE: A senior cat restless or howls at night should be considered an exception to these
rules. Older cats may become “needy” at night due to medical conditions. These cats are
usually well-behaved and have a history of wailing, pacing, and nervousness. This sign that
your cat needs to be seen by a vet immediately.
Here are some other strategies that you might consider.
You can keep your cat awake for more extended periods.
It is best to keep your cat awake until the late afternoon, so they don’t take naps. You can keep
your cat awake enough that they are not tired by the time you go to bed.
You can tire your cat by engaging in activities like fetch, capturing the laser dot and feather
teasers. Your cat will sleep better if you keep them awake longer than they do if you don’t.
You can keep your cat busy while you are away.
These play sessions address another reason cats can keep you awake at night: boredom or
loneliness.
Your cat may want to spend the evening with you if you leave them alone at home during the
day, and this could cause disruptions to your bedtime routine.
It may help them sleep at night by keeping them awake and engaged throughout the day.
These are some techniques you can try:
- You can turn on the TV for your cat to see (try nature shows).
- Use a puzzle toy to feed your cat rather than a meal.
- If possible, set clever bowls that will open at specific times to distribute treats (if practical).
Cats may enjoy treats and food to motivate them, but it is important not to overfeed your cat.
Divide the food into a reasonable amount, according to your veterinarian.
Cans are less caloric than dry foods, so using canned food as your main meal may be an excellent
option to replace any dry food you give in puzzle toys and rewards.
Give your cat a small meal at bedtime.
Like us, cats tend to fall asleep after eating, so give your cat a small amount of food before bed to
encourage them to eat.
You can program an intelligent bowl (automatic pet food feeder) to send food to your cat if they
love to get up in the morning to eat.
Separate sleeping areas are possible.
If none of these suggestions works, you might need to take control of your situation and close the
door.
A “cat room” is where your cat can rest and not disturb you. You could provide a space with
food, drink, and a litterbox for your cat.
If you are not required to respond, don’t bother.
If your cat isn’t being polite and wants you to get up, or you want to play with them or to bring
food, then your cat has taught you how to respond.
Pushing away a kitten pouncing on your face becomes a game, and it is a game to get up at 4 am
on Saturday to feed your cat. They learn that they will get what you want if they keep pestering
long enough.
You can ignore the behaviour and try to prevent it from happening again the next night,
regardless of how difficult. You should take your cat to the vet if it becomes more demanding at
night or is getting older.
Be patient.
Many cats can be trained to go to bed every night. These behaviours can be changed with
compassion and understanding, not punishment.
Kittens might need to be taught healthy habits, and senior cats may need assistance. Before
starting a behaviour modification program for older cats, a medical exam is required.
You and your cat both can have a restful night’s sleep together.
Why is my cat so scared at night?
In the wild, cats are nocturnal and hunt at night. Domestic cats still have a strong desire to hunt at
night, so they sleep for 12-16 hours each day. If your cat sleeps during the day, it will be more
alert and ready to hunt at night.
Why is my cat scared all the time?
Unpleasing childhood connections can often cause fearful or timid behaviour. A cat that is not
exposed to people often or has been subjected to abuse or trauma may become anxious and
fearful.
Are cats able to have night terrors?
Your cat might experience night terrors when it wakes up. Be on the lookout for other reactions
such as fear of outdoor wildlife or surprise at loud noises. We can give your cat the oral
medication melatonin and lorazepam if her health improves.
Conclusion
Your cat may be in a night of deep sleep or have had a nightmare. If she meows when she wakes
up, it could indicate that she has had a dream. According to a study, cats can dream about past
events or even have nightmares. For exhausted animals, this could take up to 24 hours.
If your cat is healthy, it may be possible to help them sleep better by visiting a veterinarian.
Although you might think that soothing your cat or feeding him may be helpful, it is better to
ignore his behaviour. Your cat might learn to stay awake at night and get attention and food from
you.
Even if your emotions run high, don’t forget that your cat’s natural nocturnal behaviour is normal,
and this behaviour can cause stress for your cat.
You can give your cat more exercise and playtime if your cat refuses to go to sleep.
