Cue night time and the clock strikes midnight. Your cat suddenly has more energy than it knows what to deal with. And this results in your cat dashing about your house, crashing into things, and meowing everywhere. This 'crazy' cat behavior is nothing to be worried about and is in fact, usually quite normal.
We've all been there. Your cat naps throughout the day, and you keep wondering how someone can sleep this much. Why is my cat so tired? Cue night time and the clock strikes midnight. Your cat suddenly has more energy than it knows what to deal with. And this results in your cat dashing about your house, crashing into things, and meowing everywhere.
This 'crazy' cat behavior is nothing to be worried about and is in fact, usually quite normal. Here are a few reasons why your cat acts the way it does.
1. Cats are nocturnal
Cats are nocturnal when in the wild and carry out most of their hunting at night. With your domestic cat, this instinct to hunt at night still holds, and it's primarily why your cat naps for 12 to 16 hours throughout the day.
By sleeping during the day, your cat is primed and energized to hunt at night. On top of this, many domestic cats spend a lot of their time indoors and without much engagement during the day. This creates pent-up energy that they also need to burn out by running around crazy at night when they’re finally awake.
There’s no major fix to this except for slowly adjusting your cat's circadian rhythm it falls asleep at night. One way is to keep them engaged more during the daytime and not let them sneak off into a corner and nap.
The next strategy is two to three hours before you decide to go to bed, use some toys to play with your cat to burn away some of its energy. Then, give it a bedtime meal to help kick in the sleep. Both of these should help it fall asleep at night when the humans do!
2. They are predators
Though your cat is domestic and lives most of its life indoors, it still has predatory instincts that it needs to flex about from time to time. When your cat darts about the house, jump up and down the sofa, and generally acts on edge randomly in the middle of the night - this is those predatory instincts acting up.
With pent-up energy and no actual ability to hunt, cats try to practice their hunting abilities by running around and chasing after imaginary things in the home.
To help burn that energy and let your cat feel its ability to act out its predatory instincts, use toys such as feather wands, laser pointers, and even soft toy mice. Lace them with catnip to get your cat excited and awake.
All of this should help them tire out and be ready for bed at night.
3. Old age is kicking in
Sometimes when your cat is acting crazy, it may not be its natural instincts but just old age kicking in.
Older cats can develop cognitive dysfunction, and their brains may not be able to function normally anymore. This can cause cats to exhibit strange behavior such as restlessness, excessive licking, increasing meowing, and frequent disorientation.
In some cases, a good sign is if your cat stops using their litter box and soils around the house, and it forgets common areas of the home and gets trapped in certain places.
If anything seems odd to you, it’s best to check with your vet on whether this may be early signs of salinity for your cat.
4. FHS or Fleas
Another reason your cat may be acting weird at odd times of the night could be due to either Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) or if your cat has fleas.
With FHS, your cat will show symptoms such as its back skin starting to ripple when it's dashing around, and whenever you go to pet your cat on its tail or back, this triggers excessive grooming or biting in this area, followed by running around crazy.
FHS is known to affect mature cats, and if you have the slightest doubt, it’s good to visit the vet and get a professional diagnosis.
Fleas, on the other hand, are best noticed if your cat is meowing and running about, acting as if something is biting it. It may try scratching or biting hard to reach places, and this is a good indicator it may have fleas.
Treating fleas involves using pet products such as flea combs, bathing your cat in flea shampoo, and treating your cat's coat with flea spray.
Understand your cat’s body language.
Ultimately, the best way to understand why your cat acts the way it does is to pay attention to its body language.
Your cat's meows, tail waves, and body posture can all be tell-tale signs of how it's feeling.
Is its tail bristled and standing straight? Then your cat may be feeling scared and on edge.
Does it playfully meow at you before dashing across the room? Your cat may be trying to get you to play with him/her.
How your cat acts in the middle of the night can help you determine if something is bothering it or if it’s just hunting time.
If your cat constantly meows at night, there’s a chance it’s trying to get your attention to come to play. Don’t give in! The only solution to this is to let your cat know that meowing won’t make you cave to its demands, and slowly it’ll learn to keep itself busy if it can’t sleep.
Similarly, if your cat displays a fight of flight behavior, such as cowering down low with extremely dilated pupils, don’t get worried that it may be afraid of you and wants to attack. Your cats are just trying to play hunt with you, and if the behavior suddenly shifts to a relaxed posture, then you know this is the case.
Applying the above tactics to help shift your cat’s sleeping pattern and keep an eye on its behavior. You’ll be able to tell why your cat acts the way it does and figure out how both of you can get a peaceful night's sleep together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calm down a hyper cat at night?
Gradually altering the cat's schedule by encouraging playtime and feeding during the daytime and earlier evening hours can help to align the cat's natural sleep-wake cycle with the humans in the household. This can be especially helpful if the cat's hyperactivity at night is due to its natural nocturnal tendencies. By gradually shifting the cat's schedule, you can help them to feel more relaxed and sleepy at night, which can reduce their hyperactivity and improve their overall behavior. However, it's important to remember that cats are creatures of habit, so any changes to their routine should be made gradually over a period of several days or weeks rather than all at once. Also, try to play with your cat during the day to tire them out before bedtime. Use interactive toys like wand toys or laser pointers to engage your cat in active play. Consider using pheromone products like Feliway to help your cat feel more relaxed and calm. These products can help to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of well-being in cats.
Why is my cat suddenly hyperactive at night?
Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. Some cats, particularly those that spend a lot of time outdoors or have a history of being strays, may be more active at night due to their hunting instincts. This behavior may carry over into the home environment, particularly if the cat is not getting enough stimulation during the day. In these cases, providing opportunities for play and exercise during the day, as well as feeding the cat a small meal before bedtime, may help to reduce nighttime hyperactivity. If your cat is not getting enough food during the day, it may become more active at night in search of food. Make sure your cat is getting enough food, and consider feeding them a small meal before bedtime to help keep them full throughout the night. In some cases, hyperactivity at night may be a sign of an underlying health issue. Cats with hyperthyroidism, for example, may exhibit increased activity levels at night. If you're concerned about your cat's behavior, it's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. Changes in your cat's environment, such as a new home or new additions to the household, can also cause them to become more active at night. In these cases, it may take some time for your cat to adjust to their new surroundings and settle into a new routine.
At what age do cats stop going crazy at night?
Most cats tend to become less hyperactive and more mellow as they age, but there is no set age at which cats stop going crazy at night. Some cats may become less active at night as early as 1-2 years old, while others may remain energetic well into their senior years. Remember that every cat is different, and their activity level can be influenced by a variety of factors, including their breed, personality, health status, and living environment. In general, indoor cats may be less active at night than outdoor cats, while some breeds, such as Bengals or Siamese, tend to be more active and playful than others.
How do you stop night crazies?
Engage your cat in a play session before bedtime to help them expend some of their energy. Use interactive toys, such as a laser pointer or wand toy, to get your cat moving and jumping. Make sure your cat is getting enough exercise during the day. Provide them with toys that encourage activity, such as a cat tree, scratching post, or puzzle feeder. Feed your cat a small meal before bedtime to help keep them full and satisfied throughout the night. This can also help reduce nighttime hunger-related behaviors, such as meowing or pacing. Establish a consistent bedtime routine for your cat, such as playing, feeding, and then settling down for the night. This can help your cat establish a regular sleep-wake cycle. Create a calm and quiet sleeping environment for your cat. Provide a comfortable bed in a quiet room, away from any sources of noise or disruption. Avoid interacting with your cat during the night, as this can reinforce their nighttime activity. Instead, try to ignore any meowing or other attention-seeking behavior and provide positive reinforcement during the day when your cat is calm and relaxed.
Can I give my cat melatonin to calm down?
While melatonin is often used as a natural sleep aid for humans, it is generally not recommended to give melatonin to cats without first consulting with a veterinarian. Melatonin can have side effects in cats, including gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and changes in appetite. Additionally, melatonin dosages can vary based on the size, age, and health of the cat, and giving an incorrect dose could cause harm. Catnip is a natural herb that is often used to stimulate cats and encourage play. When cats smell or consume catnip, it can produce a euphoric effect that can lead to increased playfulness and energy. While catnip can help cats relax and reduce stress, it is not effective for all cats, and its effects may wear off over time. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant that is often used for its potential therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress in humans and animals. CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in the body, which can help regulate mood, behavior, and other physiological functions. While there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in cats, more research is needed to understand its effects and proper dosing fully.
