Meowing at night

[crispsandcrumpets]

I have two Persian indoor cats - I live in a flat. Both girls. One of them is no issue but the other one has got into a routine of meowing in quite a restless way at night. It's often around 4am in the early hours, but she's just done it now too! Plenty of wet food, dry food, water fountain etc so it's not that. What could it be? Is that she is bored? They have loads of toys but I find they don't play with them, not bothered by cat nip etc. perhaps I need to make more of a conscious effort to play with them? It's just hard being a busy teacher. Any tips/ideas and maybe even toys to buy if the case is likely boredom/ loneliness

We used to put our cat out at night as he was exactly the same. He would happily go out and disappear into the night on his own adventures and be back at the door in the morning. If we ever forget to let him out before we went to bed he would always wake us up in the early hours meowing his head off! Cats are quite nocturnal so perhaps yours just wants to go out. I rarely played with my cat. He was more interested in being outside for play and when he was indoors he would rest/eat/cuddle.

You don't say how old they are, in elderly cats this can be a sign of the onset of senility.

I'd also check for any other physical or behavioral changes e.g. weight loss, change in eating patterns, drinking & peeing more, as suddenly becoming more vocal can be a sign of illness. My CKD boy has become a LOT more vocal since becoming ill, more demanding for attention and more restless as well as losing weight.

If in doubt, call the vet is a good rule. You may be able to have a quick phone consultation initially, then take her in if there are any worries.

Cats are nocturnal. They're awake more at night than during the day. Whilst I don't agree with cats being out all night, I think that yours wants to go out. Why are they indoors all the time? If you let them out during the day, they're less likely to become bored and restless.

Had cats for 42 years - all kept in all night, but all had the freedom to come and go throughout the day

DCat is also a nocturnal nightmare. He has food, water and a catflap so he can go out if he wants to. He just likes attention and he wants it in the middle of the night. Not too much though and entirely on his terms. He goes through phases of hunting at night and has a special sound to alert me he’s brought a gift back to play with.

it’s annoying and he’s the only one of many cats I’ve owned to do this. I just assumed I’d picked a particularly annoying one. DH says he’s the last cat we’ll have and most nights I agree.

Actually, cats are crepuscular (dawn and dusk) rather than nocturnal.

There are certain breeds that really aren't suited to being outdoor cats for various reasons, plus some locations where it isn't safe for cats to be out e.g. busy main roads. Plus of course the OP lives in a flat, so unless a ground floor flat virtually impossible to let her cats come & go as they wish.

It could be, as the OP suggests, boredom though as she has 2 that's less likely. Persians are not noted for being hyperactive at the best of times (!) but maybe something like a Da Bird fishing pole type toy may encourage play.

I also think we need a bit more info, e.g. age, if this is recent new behavior or just gradually built up since she was a kitten, whether there have been any other changes.