Many pet parents would attest that cats enjoy going bump in the night. Whether it’s pawing at the automatic feeder, jumping off furniture, or getting a case of the zoomies, you’ve definitely had a late-night panic when you thought you had an intruder but it was actually a member of the household.
The intensity of nightly activity may lead you to believe that cats prefer to be awake at all hours of the night and morning, but are they nocturnal? We’ll explain what their strange behaviour truly signifies.
Are cats nocturnal?
The short answer is: no. The longer answer entails breaking down mammals’ sleeping habits. Humans are diurnal (usually), which means we are awake during the day and sleep at night. That makes sense for most of us and our history (though some night owls may disagree).
Interestingly, dogs conduct the most of their eating, hunting, and playing during the day and are also diurnal, although cats are not. So, where does it leave them? Kitties come into a third group known as crepuscular, which means they are most active at sunrise and sunset. If that applies to your household, you’ll now understand why.
We believe cats are nocturnal because they sleep a lot throughout the day, exactly like a nocturnal animal, but on a slightly different timetable. This does, however, mean that you may receive an early morning wake-up call when your cat hears their internal breakfast bell.
Why do cats sleep during the daytime?
Evolution, of course. Your feline’s wild ancestors evolved extraordinarily strong eyesight, particularly in low light, and used it to their advantage, as do some species today, like as lions. Hunting in low light (but not at night when it is completely dark) offers them an advantage.
It also allows cats to sleep during the warmest portion of the day, which saves energy and water in warm, dry climes. Your modern mouser will take full advantage of this when they cuddle up in a particularly delectable sunspot and soak up the sun, recharging their batteries for an evening of seeking prey.
Top tips for managing your frisky feline
Even though the ancient instinct is ingrained in their DNA, many pets are able to adjust to their owners’ routines. That implies they may be comfortable getting up throughout the day and sleeping with you for the most of the night. If your habits don’t seem to be in sync, try these methods to get your days and nights on track.
Set aside playtime.
The key to a simple bedtime for any child, whether furry or not, is to get their energy out before you both go asleep. They may like playing with a mouse on a string, messing with a Kong toy, or even trying their hand at a cat game on your phone. The idea here is to bond while also working their bodies and minds before bedtime.
Make sure they are full.
Have you ever had a particularly wonderful meal and become a little sleepy? It’s because your digestion works overtime when you need to process a lot of extra food. Giving your four-legged companion a nibble before bedtime may help them settle down for a long night of dreaming.
Ignore them.
Cats feed off of attention. If they irritate you enough and you give in, you’ve just shown them that their antics work. Even if it helps you fall asleep for a few hours, this will not result in long-term sleep. After a few attempts, they’ll realise their tricks don’t work and will give up, at least in principle.
Keep the bedroom closed.
While sleeping with our pets has some true advantages, it is not suitable for all humans or our fur babies. They may perform best in a separate area of the house so you can get your full eight hours of sleep, and they can go on a nightly roam to evoke memories of their predecessors.
The next time you hear your pet kitty up at 4 a.m., you’ll understand that they can’t help it; it’s just how they were designed. While you might be able to work them into your routine a little, you need also account for their crepuscular nature and give them extra care when they’re most attentive – in the morning and evening. Hopefully, everything goes as planned, and they don’t convert you into a half-nocturnal beast.