If your cat has been meowing at nothing at night, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat meow at nothing at night? Possible causes are that your cat can hear something that you can’t, separation anxiety, pain, or compulsive behavior.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat has been doing it and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and you can do a number of things about it.
Why does my cat meow at nothing at night?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been meowing at nothing at night and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
It can hear something
The reason why your cat meows at nothing during the night might actually be that it does hear something. Cats can hear much higher-pitched sounds than we can so it could be the case that your cat is hearing higher-pitched sounds than what you are able to hear.
Separation anxiety
The reason why your cat has been doing it could be that it has some separation anxiety. This is where it does not like being left alone and it becomes anxious when it is left alone. This would be more likely to be the reason if your cat meows when it is alone at night, it does not meow when you are around it and if it shows signs of being anxious when you are leaving.
Pain
It might be the case that something is causing it to be in pain. This would be more likely if it has started doing it more suddenly and if it has been showing signs of being in pain such as limping. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Seeking attention
The reason why it does it might be that it is looking for attention. This would be more likely if you tend to give it more attention when it does it and if it tends to do it more when you have not been giving it much attention.
Compulsive meowing
It might be the case that it has been doing it compulsively. This is where it feels an urge to meow and it can’t stop itself from meowing. This would be more likely to be the reason if it has been doing it excessively for weeks or longer. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Things to consider about your cat meowing at nothing at night
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always meowed at nothing at night
When trying to figure out why your cat has been meowing at nothing it would help to consider when it first started doing it since it could be the case that there was an event that caused your cat to start doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be because it got an injury or there was a change in the room that it sleeps in.
What is different when your cat meows at nothing at night
It would also help to consider what is different when it meows at nothing since it could be the case that the timing has something to do with it.
For example, if it only does it when you are not around, the cause could be that it has some separation anxiety.
How to get my cat to stop meowing at nothing at night?
Below are a number of options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Reduce high-pitched sounds
If there are any potentially high-pitched sounds in the room it stays in, it would help to try to reduce them. Some sources of high-pitched sounds could include tv or computer monitors that are left turned on at night.
Give it distractions
Another option would be to give your cat things to be distracted with so that it does not think to meow. Things you could give it could include toys or other treats it likes.
Get help
If your cat has been meowing at nothing a lot and you can’t get it to stop then consider getting help from a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Why does my cat meow at nothing in the house?
The reason why your cat meows at nothing, in the house, could be that it can see something that you are not seeing, it can hear something, it can smell something, or because it has to stay in a different room.
Why does my cat meow in the dark?
If your cat meows when it is dark, it might be the case that your cat has some separation anxiety, which would be more likely if your cat meows when you are not around it and it stops meowing when you are around. Any of the other reasons mentioned above are also possible.