Title: Why Does My Cat Yowl at Night? ׀ Hill's Pet
Headings: Why Does My Cat Yowl at Night?
Why Does My Cat Yowl at Night?
Why Does My Cat Yowl at Night?
When Should I Worry?
Living With the Noise

Content: Cats are crepuscular creatures, however, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. Your kitty is programmed to kick into high gear right at the crack of dawn when it may still feel like the middle of the night. She may howl because she wants to eat (the hunting instinct runs deep in cats), or because she really wanted some extra-early playtime. When Should I Worry? As a cat ages, explains Animal Planet, she wants to be around her humans as much as possible. Being separated from her family at night may distress or confuse her. Some age-related issues like diminishing hearing and vision can cause her increased anxiety and yowl-inducing frustration. Your kitty's sleep cycle also can be affected by neurological conditions like cognitive dysfunction, which can occur in cats older than 10 years old. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, loud midnight meowing out of nowhere can be indicative of dementia. Just like in humans, an elderly cat's sleep-wake cycle may change and cause her to sleep during the day and wander at night.