If you have an indoor cat, you may have noticed they seem especially active at night. Your feline friend may suddenly appear out of nowhere and start meowing or running around the living room. But what exactly do cats get up to when it’s dark outside? Let’s take a closer look to find out.
What do indoor cats do at night?
At night, cats might have an array of activities they pursue. From indulging in a midday nap and a full-body stretching session to exploring the home and seeking food, you never know what your beloved cat is up to.
They might zoom around the kitchen at breakneck speeds or perched atop high surfaces, watching all that is occurring below.
Do not forget those intermittent yet persistent meows – some nights, your cat could be trying to tell you something.
Although there are similarities between indoor and outdoor cats, the latter tend to be entirely nocturnal; however, if your cat’s sleep schedule doesn’t match yours, there might still be some exciting banter that goes on late into the night.
Rest assured, if you provide your kitty with plenty of love and stimulation throughout the day, you can trust that their evenings will likely fly by with inactivity.
Nocturnal Habits Of Domestic Cats
Domestic cats are primarily nocturnal creatures, which means they are most active during the night hours.
Cats inherited this evolutionary trait from their wild ancestors to avoid predators and hunt for food. As such, even if your cat spends all day indoors, their instinct to be more active in the dark will still kick in.
During the night, cats can often be found stalking around the house in search of something new and exciting to do.
This could include anything from playing with your feet under the covers to racing up and down the stairs for no reason other than fun.
They may also take a break from running around and curl up somewhere comfortable for a nap or two before resuming their nighttime activities.
Sleep Habits Of Indoor Cats
Cats sleep during daylight hours as most of their prey is active.
At night, cats become alert and active in hunting for food or practicing their natural predatory behavior (even if it’s just chasing after a toy mouse!).
It’s important to note that domestic cats don’t need much sleep—they only need between 12-16 hours per day, while humans require around 8 hours per night.
Therefore, it’s not uncommon for your kitty companion to still be wide awake when you turn off the lights.
Conclusion
Indoor cats are naturally nocturnal creatures due to their wild ancestors’ need to avoid predators and hunt for food in the dark. They’ve likely adopted this behavior if you own an indoor cat. During the nighttime, your furry friend may become especially alert and active as they seek new things to explore or practice their natural predatory behavior by chasing toys around the house.
While some people may find this activity disruptive, remember that it’s perfectly normal cat behavior – so feel free to give them plenty of love and attention throughout the evening.
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