If you own a cat, you shouldn’t be shocked to learn that it gets up to all sorts of mischief, especially at night, when you’re asleep. This is because they’re mostly nocturnal, becoming little bundles of energy as the house falls silent. Ever wondered what they get up to during this time? Well, we’ve got a treat for you–here is a list of things your cat gets up to at night.
Chasing Shadows
Amusingly, even the slightest movement of a shadow or flicker of light can set your cat into a frenzy of pouncing and darting about. Sure, it might seem like a random flicker to us, but to them, it’s an exhilarating target. Best of all, you can guarantee that this will keep them engaged for hours, making shadows nature’s best cat toy.
Inspecting Hidden Corners
Quiet hours provide the perfect time for a cat to revisit the most mysterious parts of the house. For example, they might squeeze under beds, nudge their way into cupboards, or prowl behind the sofa. Ultimately, night-time tends to awaken their curiosity, leading them to rediscover forgotten nooks or investigate sounds only they seem to hear.
Midnight Zoomies
If you’ve ever heard a sudden thunder of paws tearing across the floor at 2 a.m., that’s probably just your cat having a case of the zoomies. That’s right–it’s not just dogs that have the zoomies; cats unleash their pent-up energy in short bursts of chaotic sprinting, bounding over furniture, and leaping with impressive agility. For them, it’s just part of their routine exercise, but for you, it’s probably an unexpected wake-up call.
Swatting at Invisible Prey
Cats have an endearing knack for finding entertainment in things that we can’t even see. You might catch them spending minutes staring at a blank wall, suddenly lunging or swiping at what appears to be thin air. Sure, this could be a bug, but more than likely, it’ll just be a speck of dust or their wild imagination fuelling their predatory instincts.
Rearranging Their Favourite Toys
Another thing your cat gets up to at night is playing and rearranging all of those little balls, stuffed mice, or crinkly objects you tidied up during the day. They love using the quiet of the night to bat, chase, or carry their toys around, so you definitely shouldn’t expect your cat’s toys to stay organised.
Perching in High-Up Spots
You’ve no doubt noticed that your cat loves observing their domain from a high vantage point, especially during the night. Kitchen counters, bookshelves, or wardrobe tops might become their resting spots, as perching high up satisfies their natural instincts to feel safe while keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Knocking Objects Off Surfaces
Famously, cats love knocking objects off of surfaces–in fact, it’s their number one hobby. A glass of water left on a nightstand or a pen on the edge of a desk becomes an irresistible target for a curious paw. For whatever reason, cats find satisfaction in nudging objects until they tumble to the floor, and we wouldn’t want them any other way.
Grooming Themselves
Cats are really quite clean creatures, and most breeds don’t need you to give them a bath. Actually, that’s their worst nightmare, as they’re quite capable of grooming themselves to stay neat and tidy. So, after a long nap during the day, they’ll likely use the peace of the night to give themselves a thorough cleanup.
Pawing at Doors
When separated from you at night, some cats turn into relentless door pawers. Sure, they might want to join you, but more likely, they want to explore a restricted area or maybe get your attention for some food. Either way, the sound of their persistent scratching can be hard to ignore–it’s their way of demanding inclusion in whatever lies beyond.
Staring Out of the Window
It’s in a cat’s nature to be observant, making windows their favourite portals to the outside world. At night, they may sit quietly by the glass, tracking moths, rustling leaves, or the occasional passing car. As we mentioned earlier, they’ll enjoy the activity even more if the window is at a high-up vantage point.
Nibbling on Houseplants
If you’ve noticed chewed leaves on your plants, that’s probably not a pest infestation but just the result of your cat snacking during their nightly escapades. The quiet hours give them the perfect opportunity to explore greenery, sometimes mistaking it for a treat or just finding it fun to swat at. This is precisely why you should be careful as to which houseplants you keep in your home, as some of them can be toxic to cats.
Engaging in Covert Snacking
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that cats are often tempted to investigate their food bowl–or yours. A half-finished biscuit left out, or an unattended food packet will most likely become the target of a sneaky midnight snack. They’ll tiptoe quietly in an attempt to be sneaky, but ultimately, they’ll always leave behind clear evidence of their mischief.
Rearranging Blankets
Cats absolutely love to make nests out of soft, cosy materials–especially blankets and throws. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to wake up in the morning to a mess of blankets due to them being pawed, pulled, or burrowed into during the night. There’s nothing wrong with this, though, so make sure to leave plenty of comfortable blankets around your home for your cat to enjoy.
Scratching at Furniture
One of the more frustrating things that your cat gets up to at night is scratching at your furniture. Even the most well-behaved cat can’t resist the urge to do this, using the quiet of the night to get away with it and work their claws. It’s their way of stretching, marking territory, or simply indulging in a natural behaviour they know isn’t always appreciated during the day.
Having Secret Conversations
Even if you only have one cat, you’ve probably caught your cat chirping, chattering, or meowing away at odd hours. This is because some cats vocalise more at night, directing their sounds at unseen visitors or reacting to outdoor noises. If you’ve got more than one cat, you can expect them to make a particularly loud racket.
Watching You Sleep
Finally, if your cat has access to your bedroom, expect to become the centre of their night-time attention. Cats are known to sit quietly beside or even on their owners, observing every movement. They might nudge your hand, pat your face, or simply watch over you with deep affection, which is one of our favourite things about our feline friends.
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