What does my cat do at night

Most cats spend the majority of their time during the night sleeping, but there are a few exceptions. Some cats will patrol their territory or watch for predators, while others may nap during the day. Some cats may also play or groom during the night.

Cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They can also be active at night, but what exactly are they doing?

Cats hunt and explore at night, looking for both food and a mate. Indoor cats may spend their nights collecting objects they like or trying to find a way out. Outdoor cats may get into fights with other cats or patrol their territory.

Both indoor and outdoor cats can be very active at night. Your cat's activities may keep you up to date, or her disappearance may cause you concern. Continue reading to find out what your cat does at night.

Sleep

While you may believe that your cat spends the entire night running around the house or the neighborhood, cats actually sleep for the majority of the night. They are more active during sunrise and sunset, which can overlap into the evening or begin in the early morning. Outdoor cats are more likely to be awake at night because they must keep an eye out for both predators and prey.

Hunt

Both indoor and outdoor cats will spend the majority of their waking hours hunting. Many stray cats are much more active at night because they have adapted to the schedule of their prey. Alley cats will stay up late to hunt mice and rats because they are most active at night. Indoor cats may be 'on the hunt,' looking for critters even if they never appear.

Try and Mate

Female housecats have multiple heat cycles throughout the year. When they do, they are tenacious in their search for a male cat to mate with. If there are any unneutered males around, they will be drawn to the female in heat. Females display their dominance by spraying areas around their territory with urine and howling loudly. Alley cats meow and yowl frequently, either because they are fighting or mating.

Look for Food Scraps

Cats spend a lot of time hunting. It is not, however, always for living things. Felines, both indoor and outdoor pets, are not above eating scraps. Outside, cats may rummage through recycling, compost, and garbage bins in search of human food scraps.’

Indoor cats may scour your countertops and kitchen table for any leftovers from dinner. If your pet knows where you keep the catnip or treats, she may try to pry open the cabinets or chew a hole in the bag that holds them.

Try and Escape

Indoor cats are frequently obsessed with getting outside. It's in a cat's nature to want to explore and hunt, and if they don't get enough stimulation during the day, they may take advantage of the darkness and try to find a way out of the house.’

Cats' claws can easily pull open screen doors or push open even a slightly gapped window. If your cat escapes, don't panic, but don't shut the window either. Leave it open in case she returns in the early morning.

Fight

Felines are extremely territorial, and they can spend a significant amount of time protecting their territory overnight. They could be protecting your property from raccoons, dogs, or other cats by patrolling the perimeter at night. They could also be fighting with other pets inside the house for the best sleeping spot. If your cat does not get along with your other pets, isolate them in the evenings.

Explore

Whether she is kept inside or let out overnight, your four-legged friend will most likely spend a few hours exploring. Even though the cat spends all of her time in her detached single-family home, there are numerous opportunities for exploration. You never know what has changed during the course of the day. The possibilities for outdoor exploration are, of course, limitless. Your cat's route may change every night, but her explorations will almost always lead her home.

Cuddle

Even if you're convinced that your kitten is misbehaving at night, she may spend a lot of time cuddling. The animals enjoy cuddling because they seek warmth. If you have multiple cats in the house, they may cuddle with each other or with the dog. Your pet will also cuddle up to you, and if she does, you will know that you have made her feel safe.

Collect Things

One of the housecat's many quirks is that they frequently enjoy collecting items. Your cat may have a favorite object that she takes to a special place whenever she finds one, ranging from hair elastics to pen lids. When the house is quiet and the humans are sleeping, your pet may go lip chap hunting under the cover of darkness. If you're constantly misplacing socks, you might blame the dryer, but Misses Whiskers could be the culprit.

Watch You Sleep

Unfortunately, many cats have an unsettling nighttime habit of watching you while you sleep. Some housecats will sit on your bed for hours, staring at you. While it may appear cute when awake, waking up to a wide-eyed feline can be quite frightening. This strange behavior can be caused by a variety of factors.

You Snore

If you make noises while sleeping, you may be disturbing your pet. If you snore, speak, or grind your teeth while sleeping, your cat may become irritated. Perhaps your cat believes that glaring at you will make you stop, or she is considering swatting you to wake you up.

Because she loves you, your cat is guarding you.

A much more pleasant possibility is that your cat is keeping an eye on you while you sleep because she adores you. Cats have a habit of staring at the people they care about. When your cat sits on your lap or chest and stares deeply into your eyes, you may notice this. She might do it again at night. Your canine companion may also be keeping an eye on you while you sleep and alerting you if anything out of the ordinary occurs.

Your Pet Is Hungry

If you wake up to find your kitten staring at you, it could be because she is hungry. Your pet may have been staring at you, hoping that when you wake up, you will be able to read her mind. If your hungry cat continues to stare at you for food, you may need to increase her food intake at dinner or lock her out of the bedroom.

Is your cat nervous or bored?

Another reason your cat may be staring at you at night is because she is scared or bored. A nervous cat will seek you out for protection and comfort, whereas a bored cat may stare at you in the hopes that you will wake up and play with him. If your cat is scared, she may curl up close to you, and if she is bored, she may flick her tail.

Summary

Cats can be very active at night. Outdoor cats, in particular, prefer to explore, hunt, fight, and mate by the light of the moon. Your indoor cat may also be an insomniac, searching for collectibles, crumbs from dinner, or fighting with other pets in the house. However, it is a mistake to believe that cats are only active at night; they also cuddle and sleep somewhere for much of the night.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Crepuscular animal
• VCA: Estrous Cycles in Cats
• ASPCA: Aggression in Cats
• AnimalPath: Why is my cat staring at me while I'm sleeping?

Pam Turner

Pam is a self-proclaimed cat lover who has worked with and owned cats for as long as she can remember. This website allows her to share her knowledge and interact with other cat enthusiasts.

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