Medical Questions
Help me understand why my cat won’t stop meowing at night?
So he would do this occasionally but it's much worse now. I'm getting ready to move so took apart my bed frame a few days ago and that's where he used to always sleep. My mattress is just on the floor for the meantime and I thought he'd actually like it better since he didn't have to jump so high up anymore. But now when I go to bed and random times through the night he'll come into my room and just meow over and over as loud as he can. I'll tap on the mattress for him to get up but he'll only do it if I tap by my face. And even then if he can't get to my face he'll stand on the mattress and keep meowing. He has to lay right by my head to be happy, and sometimes he'll move down by my feet and still be okay. But usually throughout the night he'll get up and leave and come back and do the same thing with the meowing. He's got food, water, a clean cat box. I know there's been a little change to the bed but I don't know why he's been reacting like this. Keeping me up and losing sleep. Anything else I can try, anything that comes to mind that might be causing this or could help with it? Thanks! If it matters he's an indoor cat and middle aged, about 12 or 13.
It sounds like your cat is feeling a bit unsettled due to the recent changes in his environment. Cats are creatures of habit, and moving the bed frame might have disrupted his sense of security. The increased meowing could be his way of seeking reassurance or attention. Since he’s lying close to your head, it might be his way of bonding and feeling safe. Try setting up a cozy, familiar sleeping spot for him near the bed with a blanket or item that smells like you. That might help him feel more secure and reduce the nighttime vocalizations
My cat has anxiety and he meows and runs around all night unless I put him in a baby onesie. He has quite a few pajamas that he wears at night, and it keeps him calm. The gentle compression soothes his anxiety, much like the Thunder jackets they make for dogs.
Not every cat is agreeable to wearing pajamas, but mine is absolutely fine with it, and he sleeps happily through the night when he is wearing them. He snuggles in bed with me instead of running around meowing. I discovered this trick while he was a kitten, so he has grown up very used to wearing PJs
I wish my cat liked pajamas! I guess Ive never tried it but he always hated having a collar on, might still be worth a shot! Do you have a link to the ones you use?
I just buy baby onesies. My 9 pound cat wears newborn sizes and my 15 pound boy wears 3-6 month. Its best to get something with snaps (rather than zippers) so the tail can stick out the back, and with a hood. Then I put a harness over it to keep it on. The hood is important because cats have the longest necks.
My boy is wearing a 6 month Ralph Lauren hoodie, and my girl is wearing a newborn onesie with a homemade vest on top. They don’t make newborn hoodies for safety reasons
Your cat’s meowing is likely due to stress from the bed change as cats are sensitive to changes in their environment. At 12–13 years old, he could also be experiencing mild age-related anxiety or cognitive decline, which can cause disorientation at night.
To help, recreate a cozy sleeping spot similar to what he had before, use a pheromone diffuser like Feliway to reduce stress, and tire him out with play before bedtime. If the behavior persists, consult a vet to rule out medical issues.
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u/TittiesMilf 1d ago
It sounds like your cat is feeling a bit unsettled due to the recent changes in his environment. Cats are creatures of habit, and moving the bed frame might have disrupted his sense of security. The increased meowing could be his way of seeking reassurance or attention. Since he’s lying close to your head, it might be his way of bonding and feeling safe. Try setting up a cozy, familiar sleeping spot for him near the bed with a blanket or item that smells like you. That might help him feel more secure and reduce the nighttime vocalizations