Do cats get lonely at night?

Cats have a reputation for being one of the most independent animals on the planet.

They clean themselves, sleep for hours, don’t need to be walked, and can go days without giving us even the slightest bit of attention. 

Due to their remarkable self-reliance it’s often thought they don’t suffer from loneliness. 

As pet parents though we know there’s a much softer side to our feline friends’ personalities. 

Cats can be social, compassionate and incredibly loving.

And what this means is that without regular interaction or stimulation, they can easily become lonely; in some cases even a little sad.

This article will help you look for signs your cat is lonely and what you can do to help them if they happen to be craving a little more companionship.

It’s no secret that cats love their sleep. 

But while some felines can snooze for up to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re catching 40 winks when we are.

Felines have different sleep-wake cycles compared to humans and other animals. The scientific word is crepuscular, which basically means their activity levels tend to increase in the evening or early morning.

As their sleep patterns can differ so dramatically from ours, it’s not unusual to regularly find cats up and about roaming the house all by themselves. 

For the majority of felines, this isn’t too much of an issue – as long as they have sufficient food and water, and a clean litter box. 

Solitary predators by their very nature, they will usually find a way to keep themselves entertained, whether that be by exploring the neighbourhood or playing with a new toy you’ve left out for them. 

And if they’re not happy, or they begin to grow bored, you’ll soon hear about it – literally. 

Whether or not you want to open your bedroom door to your cat at night is entirely a personal choice. 

There’s certainly plenty of pros to having them as a bedroom buddy. 

First of all, no matter how comfortable you make the rest of your house, nothing is going to compare to the warmth and security of that big cozy bed.

Allowing them into your bedroom at night means you’ll be offering them the ultimate level of protection. If they’ve been struggling with loneliness, stress or anxiety this could well be the perfect nighttime solution. It may also give you a sense of security, too, emotionally and physically.   

As we mentioned earlier, cats may be champion snoozers, but their sleeping patterns rarely align perfectly with humans. So, no matter how cozy and snuggly that little ball of fur may be while they’re led asleep next to you, a 5am ‘meow’ wake-up call probably isn’t how you want to start each day. Allergies and asthma are other considerations that need to be factored in but as long as you’re aware of the ‘risks’ involved, there’s no issue whatsoever with letting your cat sleep in your bedroom. 

Spending time away from your cat is inevitable, so in order to reduce any boredom or anxiety brought on by lengthy absences it’s vital you keep their environment enriched and fun.

From toys or climbing frames to puzzle feeders and scratching posts, there are plenty of ways to do just that.

Remember, your home is your cat’s home. Making sure they understand that will go a long way to combatting feline loneliness.

If this guide was helpful to you, then you may also enjoy:

• How to encourage a lazy cat to play and be active 
• Does my cat need to wear a collar?