It’s become increasingly difficult for me to sleep a good night’s rest. My cat has begun to wake me up each morning without fail. I’m always angry and grumpy! What makes my cat constantly meow at the beginning of the day? Why won’t she let me lie down now and then?
It’s a question that many cat owners ask. No one wants to be awakened early, no matter if it’s due to our beloved felines. Overly loud morning vocalizations generally occur because your pet is hungry. I recently purchased an automatic feeder that distributes food all night. After using the feeder, my cat has been still and peaceful at dawn.
Another reason cats meow in the morning is wanting to be pampered or soothed by their pet. The cat may also be meowing to greet you in the morning, perhaps because they’ve experienced a nightmare! I will discuss these potential scenarios in this post and offer concrete solutions to keep your cat quiet and peaceful and allow you to have a peaceful night’s rest.
Why is My Cat Meowing So Much in the Morning?
Cats are crepuscular creatures, which means they are active between dusk and dawn. Therefore, it is unsurprising that most cats are involved early in the morning. Particular domestic cats adapt according to owners’ sleep schedules, while others never make it!
Cats, however, use their meows exclusively to communicate with humans. If cats are awake in the morning does not mean that it is disturbing your sleeping. The cat is begging for something by yelling incessantly. What exactly?
Here are five things your cat may be communicating with this behavior:
Your Cat is HungryThe main reason cats constantly moo early in the morning is to get food. They know they are fed all day, and the only way to provide them breakfast is to get them up! Many owners are unable to train their pets to behave this way.
If a cat barks for food during the early hours, many owners will fill their bowls with food and rest in bed. I did precisely the same thing – it’s the most efficient method to handle the problem! But, it teaches cats that meowing gives them food and causes them to develop a positive association. The cat may meow more and earlier and then become increasingly disruptive.
Though it may be challenging, it is essential not to ignore it, even if you notice that your cat is constantly hungry and crying. Not paying attention to your cat’s needs will teach them that there is no way to obtain food. Instead, you feed your cat breakfast together each morning or buy an automatic feeder to handle the dirty work.
1. They Want Your Attention
If you notice your cat calling for food but isn’t eating their breakfast, their meows could not be due hungry; it could be because they prefer to focus on something else! Maybe they’d like you to let them out, clean up their litter box, or give them some affection.
For instance, my cat meows loudly after using the litter box to request cleaning it. If you still need to clean the litter box and your cat is trying to eliminate the mess. It’s essential to watch this behavior since it could also indicate a urinary tract disease that requires veterinary care.
Your cat’s meows at dawn might be your request for playtime. They’re bored after being entirely alone for the entire night and want your attention to distract them. Make sure you get at least once to play with your cat daily. There is also a collection of cat toys I put out at night that my cat uses to entertain herself during my sleep.
2. Your Cat Had a Nightmare
Another reason your cat often mutters during the day could be nightmares. Similar to humans, felines go into REM sleep and can have dreams. It is impossible to tell what the cats dream about, but most experts believe cats dream good or bad as we do!
If your cat has awakened from a nightmare, it may look for comfort in your favorite human. This resembles how children crawl into their beds with their parents after a nightmare. This is a sure sign your cat is a loyal friend and trusts you.
If nightmares are the reason behind your cat’s adolescent meows, they won’t be a regular feature in the morning. Instead, their wake-ups in the morning are likely to be less frequent. Cats are shocked when you speak to them, so if they wake you due to nightmares, try offering some words of encouragement and cuddles to assist your cat go in to sleep.
3. They’re Saying “Good Morning”
Cats do not meow to each other; they meow to talk to people! If you’ve heard your pet meow when you walk in your door at the beginning of the day, they could be greeting you. They know it’s time to start your day and are there to wish you a happy start.
In reality, cats love routines and know when events usually occur at home. If your alarm typically goes to 6 am in your home, then your cat will know this is the time you wake up. If you don’t set your alarm, you’ll find your feline waiting at the door to ensure you’re awake in time!
I’ve come across this as helpful my cat makes sure I’m always awake when I ought to be, even if I didn’t make my alarm. It can also be frustrating when looking for an afternoon nap on weekends. Be aware that your cat’s not out to make you uncomfortable. Cats aren’t happy with the change in their routines, and you might be the same about getting up early at 6:30 am without failing.
4. Your Cat is Stressed
While it is unlikely stress may result in excessive vocalizations in the morning. It’s more frequent in the event of an abrupt change in your cat’s routine or environment, like rearranging the furniture or introducing new guests to your home. External factors, like the arrival of a new cat into the area, could make your cat go into an exuberant state.
One way cats react to stress is by becoming more vocal. They’re expressing their anxiety to you and asking for help or assurance. Stressed cats are also more likely to mark their territory more frequently; therefore, stress is a possibility when your cat is constantly meowing and rubbing against everything. Other indicators of stress are more hiding behavior and changes in appetite.
If stress could be the main reason, confining a cat to a separate room during the evening could assist. This will allow the cat to adapt to their new surroundings or the new pet. But, it is essential to ensure that confinement is carried out correctly. Make sure your cat can access its necessities. Otherwise, it will only increase the morning meowing!
How to Stop My Cat From Meowing in the Morning
If cats meow and then wake their owners, it’s almost always because they’re looking for something. Most often, they want their breakfast! They may also need an empty litter box and some attention to help ease boredom, a sense of security following a nightmare, or comfort when overwhelmed.
With these possible causes into consideration, there are a few solutions you can test at your home. As I said, I switched to an automatic feed, which has helped me avoid early morning alarms. It could be a good option for you. However, you may have to try some of these strategies to notice a significant improvement in your sleep:
- Don’t give to your cat’s morning meows. This will help stop cats’ positive relationship with loud voices, and thus they can break the habit of begging over time.
- Give your cat dinner as late as feasible. This can reduce the time between dinner and breakfast so your cat won’t be hungry at night.
- Buy An automated cat food dish and set a schedule for at least one dinner each evening. This can help establish a feeding routine and ensure your cat isn’t as hungry.
- Wait to give your pet food until you’re awake well-dressed and ready. This can help your cat learn that they can only be fed once at a particular time, not whenever they awaken you.
- Take time to have an extended play session with your cat each evening. This can help tire your cat out and make it more likely to stay asleep throughout the night and fight boredom.
- Get a few mechanical toys that your pet can enjoy itself. There is a computerized laser pointer that my cat enjoys, but floating in the water and toy mice can also be good alternatives.
- Make sure to rotate your cat’s toys often and aim to collect as many different types of toys as you can. Your cat will stay active and mentally stimulated, so it isn’t bored.
- Clean up your cat’s litter box immediately before going to bed each evening. This will ensure that your litter box will not overflow with trash even when they use the bathroom while you’re asleep.
- Try to limit the number of stressors that can be found in your house. This reduces the chance of your cat experiencing a frightening dream and helps keep your stress levels down.
- Create plenty of secure areas your cat can hide in when worried or stressed. Cats require hiding places to better deal with stress and to limit their vocalizations.
In addition to these suggestions, I recommend calming your house surroundings. Close the bedroom door to minimize the disturbance that your cat could cause. The cat can still be heard meowing at your bedroom door. However, this prevents your cat from soaring on top of you or smacking directly into your face.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t hear my cat’s meows when I’m asleep at night. However, loud meowing during the early morning hours is not uncommon. Through the night, my cat is hungry and bored and demands my attention around 4 in the morning, without fail!
Luckily, I’ve been able to prevent my cat from disturbing me. I did this by purchasing a timed feed and turning off her calls in the morning. It appeared impossible at first; however, patience is a big help! Set a schedule, stick to it, and never let yourself go. It’s possible to cut down on your cat’s meowing at the beginning of the day and enjoy the peaceful sleep you’ve always wanted.
If your cat suddenly begins to meow excessively or none of my suggestions can help, I recommend contacting your veterinarian. The sudden changes in behavior could be caused by medical issues, which is why you should check these out in the event.
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