How To Get A Cat Inside At Night

E'er wondered what your cat gets up to at night? Our skilful guide tells all.

Concerned virtually the condom of your cats outside at night? Our video includes useful advice for cats at night and how to ensure they stay safe and secure while you're comatose.

Five important things

Cats are generally more agile at dawn and dusk
Does your cat wake you upwardly early in the morning? This is normal true cat behaviour!
Cats Protection recommends keeping your cat indoors at dark to keep them safe
Sadly, road traffic accidents or fatalities involving cats are more likely to happen at dark
Cats kept indoors tin become restless. Playing with them can help to go along them stimulated mentally.

Why is my cat awake at nighttime?

Concerned about your cat's wanderings after night, or waking you up in the morn? You might exist surprised to learn that this is normal cat behaviour.

Cats are naturally more agile during dawn and sunset - kittens and immature cats in particular. If you look at the behaviour of cats in the wild, such as the African wildcat which shares ancestry with our pet cats, they are crepuscular - meaning they're more active during dawn and sunset. A prime time to hunt for rodents and other small prey, it'southward no surprise that cats spend about of their fourth dimension roaming effectually at night.

Why does my cat wake me up early on in the morning?

Most cat owners will be familiar with their cat trying to wake them up in the early hours of the morning - either by miaowing or pawing at their face! While this behaviour tin exist annoying and endearing in equal measures, this is usually a normal part of being a cat.

While cats accept adapted over fourth dimension to fit in with the waking patterns of humans, many will still be easily woken at the showtime sight of a sunrise. If you're concerned about the four-legged furry alert clock in your firm, there are a few things y'all can do

Rule out any medical bug. Some medical conditions crusade cats to wake upwards in the night, cry excessively or experience restless and disorientated. Try not to tell your cat off for waking y'all up at night - they could be trying to tell you that they're unwell
Finding out your true cat's motivation to wake you up could be helpful. Are they waking because they're hungry? Try feeding them smaller and more regular meals during the mean solar day to stave off hunger, or install an automatic feeder to open during the night or early morning
Provide your cat with plenty of play during the day to use up their excess energy. A fishing rod toy should exercise the trick!

Of grade, if you're actually struggling for sleep, visit your vet to get a referral to a qualified behaviourist to place the underlying reason for your cat's dark-fourth dimension waking. Visit the Clan of Pet Behaviour Counsellors for more communication.

Should I keep my true cat in at nighttime?

Cats Protection recommends that you keep your cat in at dark to proceed them safe. Increased risks during night time include:

Road traffic injuries and fatalities

With some studies suggesting that more road traffic injuries happen late at night, information technology is wise to continue your cat indoors. It isn't just busy roads that cats can be killed and injured on either, simply as well quiet, land roads that tin catch cats off-baby-sit. A light-reflective neckband may help them exist seen but collars themselves are not without adventure. To ensure the neckband is properly fitted, ii fingers should fit snugly between the collar and the cat's neck. Make sure it has a quick-release fitting to prevent injury.

Risk of damage from animals and humans

Cats can be injured through contact with other animals or even past humans, which is more probable to happen at nighttime. Cats are also more inclined to fight during the night time, particularly when stumbling across each other's territories. Avoid injury by keeping your true cat safe indoors.

Observe out more well-nigh keeping your cat safe

Set your true cat a curfew

Wondering how to proceed your cat in? In that location are cat flaps available from Sure Petcare that allow you to set a timed curfew for your cat.

They'll have the opportunity to roam costless during the day but yous can set a timed curfew of your pick. When information technology's time, your cat will no longer be able to get out your home through the cat flap.

If your cat is already outside, they'll be able to enter but won't be able to go out the house again. An ideal solution for keeping pets in at night, or when traffic gets busy!

How can I keep my cat entertained indoors?

If your cat is used to existence active at night, they can easily become restless and stressed when kept indoors. You'll need to provide plenty of things to keep them occupied - from toys or climbing frames to puzzle feeders. Brand sure you also provide a make clean litter tray and fresh water (kept far apart from each other) to use at night.

As cats are natural hunters, ensuring they take mental stimulation is of import in ensuring they don't feel frustrated. You'll observe a number of cat toys in pet shops designed for this purpose, or your can cull to brand your ain. Ping pong balls and empty egg boxes make swell play things for energetic kitties.

Information technology'southward no surprise that cats honey to climb and hide within things too, then providing a identify up loftier besides as climbing frames and boxes are a welcome treat. Brand certain your cat has access to a scratching mail service besides, in case they take a liking to your sofa!

Detect out more about enrichment toys.

Keeping your cat inside during fireworks season

While keeping your cat in at nighttime is advisable all yr round, information technology becomes more important during fireworks season and Blaze Night. Cats can become distressed at loud noises and flashes of light and keeping them in when it is night can help reduce them feeling stressed.

During this time, keep your cat flaps, windows and doors closed and ensure any unsuitable areas are blocked off.

Find out more almost cats and fireworks season