Cat's Nighttime Activities: What They're Up To While Yo
Even more so, there are some feline friends who, while their human companions are fast asleep, boldly make their way onto the bed, causing a ruckus that can only be described as a middleofthenight intrusion. You're jolted awake, staring into the endless darkness and the starry night sky, and you can't help but let out a yell.
Cats, at their core, are nocturnal creatures. Their ancestors spent the daylight hours conserving energy, only to emerge at night for the hunt. They would lurk in the dampness of the night, coated with dew, and strike swiftly and fiercely at their unsuspecting prey. The night is the perfect time for wild cats to track, hunt, and stealthily move about, thanks to their extraordinary sensory organs (including their exceptional night vision), which allow them to easily catch unguarded prey.
Some pet owners may wonder, what does the need for nocturnal hunting in wild cats have to do with domesticated cats? After all, indoor cats don't have to worry about finding their own food, and yet, they still exhibit nighttime activity. Even though they don't need to hunt for their meals, these cats still carry the wild spirit of their ancestors within them, a genetic predisposition to the nocturnal instincts that kick in as the night falls. This means that for cats, it's time to hunt, and for their owners, this might not be the most pleasant surprise.
But why can't cats just entertain themselves? Why do they feel the need to wake their owners up? It's simple: after a day of lounging around, cats are brimming with energy and need an outlet. They seek companionship, and to them, their human owners are the closest thing to a fellow creature. Naturally, they become the perfect playmates.
When a cat is trying to wake you up, it's likely thinking, "Stupid big cat, get up and play with me! You sleep all day and then sleep all night. Are you a pig? Get up!" Many owners who are woken up by their cats make the same mistake: they react immediately, engaging with the cat or offering treats. They might just want the cat to be quiet so they can catch up on their sleep.
While there's nothing wrong with that thought, the problem is that the cat may interpret this as a reward. Reacting to the cat's nocturnal wanderings can actually encourage and prolong the behavior. If every time the cat calls out or jumps onto the bed, the owner responds by interacting or feeding the cat, this can create a harmful cycle. Eventually, the owner may find themselves with severe sleep deprivation, constantly on the brink of frustration and collapse.
The ideal solution is to maintain a consistent routine. Spend some time playing with your cat before bed, and once the playtime is over, complete your bedtime preparations (like washing your face and brushing your teeth) and ignore any further attempts at interaction. This will help the cat understand when playtime is and when it's time to sleep.
Feeding your cat a light meal before bed can also help keep them quiet and drowsy as they digest their food. If all else fails, consider keeping your cat out of the bedroom, allowing them to "party" in another room. The key is to maintain consistency in behavior and routine. Cats can't adapt to new habits overnight, so it requires patience, perseverance, and a bit of time from the owner to help the cat overcome these unwanted behaviors.
On the flip side, some owners feel quite fortunate: "Wow, my cat is just fine; it sleeps through the night every night."
