Cat shouting at me at night - any advice?

[JonahB]

I have a lovely 16yr old cat. Recently she's taken to crying and miaowing really loudly when we're all in bed, waking us up. She doesn't do it every night but when she does do it, it can be up to 3 times a night. The only way to get her to stop is getting out of bed and calling her. Some of the time she'll then come to our bed. She's basically in good health despite her age.
Does anyone have any experience of this or know why she does it? More importantly how do I get the old girl to stop? For the sake of my sleep advice really appreciated!!!

My old boy got a lot more chatty as he got older. And he got a lot clinger as well, I think as PP said they probably get a bit more lonely and less independent a they get older. I think they just need more fuss and cuddles whereas when they're young they're all bouncy and can be entertained by a speck of dust for hours

spork mine's done the waking up with an aargh-meow a few times, it genuinely looks like she's just woken herself up from a nightmare, she seems reassured when I stroke her.

Fat old cat is 18 and you could almost set the clock by her yowling in the middle of the night.

We never understood why she would be quiet all day then start creating in the middle of the night.

I think its a bit of dementia and she can't remember /figure out where we are.

I used to get up to her and bring her into bed with me but now I put her on the bed as soon we go to bed and she settles down, if she gets off the bed in the middle of the night she seems to remember better that that's where I am to get back on.

I love sleeping with the cats cuddled up to me

For those that have tried a night light, what room do you put it in? My cat has a selection if favourite sleeping locations spread around the house. Not sure where I should be targeting...
Her nighttime cuddles are more her lying on me. She's not the lightest of cats. It's like having a warm, vibrating sack of spuds sprawled on me

Try and move her sideways so that she can sleep long beside you.

Out of interest, have you had her checked at the vet recently eg for arthritis? Her lying on you sounds as if she needs some warmth which may - just - suggest that she's getting a bit stiff. It would fit with her age, if so.

My old boy is like this too! The vet said it can be age or sometimes a sign of high blood pressure or overactive thyroid. He's been checked and hasn't got either, think he just wants company or food. Cuddling helps!

Oh indeed - it can be just for the sake of the love and not indicate a physical problem at all.

Has she got an ear infection , our poor girl woke us up for a week before we realised what the matter was. After we took her to the vets

Our 18 year old cat yowls at night. (Trying to get thyroid issue under control so she is worse.) Twice this week she has pooed in the house. I think she feels rough in general. Saw vet last night. We have increased her meds and she may need an op. Today I have a poorly child too. So little sleep. So tired. :-(

Can you take her to bed when the LO drops off, Wolfie, and maybe gets yourself a snooze? Poor you.