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12 Proven Ways to Calm a Cat Down at Night – Vet-Approved Tips

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat sleeping

12 Proven Ways to Calm a Cat Down at Night – Vet-Approved Tips

VET APPROVED

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

We all love our cats, but if they’re suddenly full of energy as soon as the sun goes down and you’re trying to get to sleep, it can be a little frustrating. Cats are naturally more active at night time, and your kitty may want to play just when you want to rest.

Luckily, there are quite a few things that you can do to calm your cat down before you head off to bed. Some are super simple and can be tried right away; others need a little more time to organize. Either way, we’re sure that our tips will help you get a better night’s sleep and help your kitty get the attention they deserve.

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The 12 Ways to Calm a Cat Down at Night

1. Add Enrichment to Your Cat’s Routine

The busier your cat is during the day, the less likely they’ll want to play after dark. Making sure your cat has plenty of enrichment activities is a great way to keep them engaged and active during daylight hours.

Think about adding things like cat trees, food puzzles, and interactive toys. If your cat is an indoor cat but you have a backyard, you could even build a cat enclosure so they can spend plenty of time watching the local wildlife.

Installing a bird feeding station near a window is also a way to give your cat something interesting to watch during the day.


2. Keep Your Cat Out of the Bedroom

hepper pod bed living room hairless sphynx

We agree that it’s lovely to cuddle your cat on your bed, but if they keep waking you up, one of the best things to do is shut the bedroom door! That way, your cat can’t pounce on your feet in the middle of the night or meow in your face when they get hungry and want a snack.


3. Play With Your Cat in the Evening

Try to work with your cat’s natural desire to play in the evenings by setting aside time to engage with them before you go to bed. Using a wide selection of toys that encourage plenty of movement will be the best way to tire your cat out so you can get sleep later in the night.


4. Feed Your Cat Just Before Bedtime

Cats naturally have a rhythm to their days that involves hunting and catching prey, eating, grooming themselves, and then sleeping. The best way to encourage your cat to sleep is to follow this rhythm.

After you’ve had a good play session with your cat, to mimic the hunting and catching part of their routine, it’s a great time to feed your cat. This can give them the satisfaction that they naturally would feel if they caught something in the wild and then settled down to eat it.

After your cat has a full tummy, they’ll be ready for a nice grooming session and then sleep. Timing the start of their sleep cycle to correspond with your bedtime means there’s less chance of them waking you up if they’re full of energy as you’re going to bed.


5. Leave Toys Out for Your Cat to Play With

Most cats wake at least twice during the night, and at this point, they’ll be ready to start their cycle of hunting, catching, eating, grooming, and sleeping again! If your cat can’t find anything interesting to play with because you’ve put all their toys away, then they’re probably going to come looking for you.

Leave a few of your cat’s favorite toys out so they can play with them overnight. You can even get interactive battery-operated toys that are activated by your cat’s touch.


6. Invest in an Automatic Feeder

Doc & Phoebe's Cat Co. Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder Kit

If your cat gets hungry in the night and can’t find any food, then they’re going to come looking for their human to provide them with snacks.

Using an automatic feeder is a great way of giving your cat a limited amount of food during the night without having to get it yourself! Your cat will soon learn to sit and wait for the feeder to dispense their food, rather than coming and waking you up.

You can also get slow feeders in the shape of little mice. You can fill these with kibble before you go to bed and place them around the house for your cat to sniff out and “hunt” while you’re sleeping.


7. Two Cats Are Better Than One

orange twin cats sleeping
Image By: Tucker Horan Media, Shutterstock

It might sound counterintuitive, but if your cat is waking you up in the night because they’re looking for someone to play with, then the answer could be another cat. Two cats are more likely to play with each other and keep themselves entertained.

Just be aware that they might make a racket as they bounce about the house, and sometimes this can be just as unsettling as your solo cat disturbing you. For some cats, though, this is a great solution.


8. Use a Pheromone Diffuser or Spray

Pheromone diffusers and sprays use synthetic versions of the facial pheromone that’s produced by cats. Diffusing or spraying this around your home can have a calming effect on your cat and help them relax enough to go to sleep.


9. Provide a Safe Den for Your Cat

Ragamuffin cat hiding_Ryo Nagashima_shutterstock
Image By: Ryo Nagashima, Shutterstock

If your cat feels insecure because they don’t have somewhere safe to go to sleep, then they’re more likely to roam around your house at night.

Provide a variety of bed options for your cat. Many cats like the security of an igloo bed with a roof, so they can curl into a dark space.

If your cat loves to spend time up high on cat trees or bookshelves, then providing them an elevated bed can help them feel safe enough to go to sleep.


10. Use a Heated Bed During Winter

If the temperature of your house drops overnight, then your cat may struggle to get warm enough to fall asleep at night. Treating them to a heated cat bed can give them the perfect cozy spot to curl up in, making them feel warm, secure, and more likely to drift off to sleep.


11. Play Relaxing Music

Some cats love to hear noises around the house, so playing relaxing music can help them drift off to sleep. You can even find cat music playlists online.


12. Take Your Cat to the Veterinarian

Cat Vet
Image By: Maria Sbytova, Shutterstock

If your cat seems to be keeping you awake with excessive meowing rather than demands for playtime or food, then it could be that they’re in pain. If you’re in any doubt as to exactly why your cat is restless at night, then make sure you schedule a check-up with your local veterinarian. There could be an underlying issue that is causing your cat discomfort, and it’s important to get them checked out.

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Conclusion

Nobody likes getting woken up in the middle of the night to a demanding cat. However, if you try out some of our above tips, it might be the quickest solution to your problem!

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: Vnukko, Pixabay

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