Having in mind how independent felines are, many cat owners are concerned when asking, why is my cat overly affectionate at night? Here are a few possible reasons:
- There’s a new pet that your cat is scared of/doesn’t like
- There are loud noises in your area (you live next to a building under construction, it’s the holiday season, etc.)
- You’re ignoring your cat
- There have been changes in your routines/lifestyle, etc.
- Your cat is in pain
Cat Is Overly Affectionate at Night
Coming home to your fluffy cat is probably one of the most enjoyable things on Earth. We all love to cuddle with our feline friends. In fact, it’s proven that petting your cat decreases levels of stress and anxiety, and can even help with depression. However, having in mind how independent felines are, many cat owners are concerned when asking, why is my cat overly affectionate at night?
As strange as it may sound, a cat overly affectionate at night is not an uncommon sight. So let’s explore the reasons for that behavior and find out if there’s anything to worry about.
Signs of an Overly Affectionate Cat
- Seeks constant attention and cuddling
- Plays with your clothes (especially when you’re around so that you’ll notice)
- Follows you everywhere
- “Forgets” how to behave (scratches your curtains or rugs so you can stop what you’re doing and give it immediate attention), etc.
Okay, my cat just wants to spend more time with me; it can’t be anything serious, right, you may think. Well, most probably yes, but you are the one who should be able to tell. The easiest way to do that is just to observe your fluffy friend’s actions. Most of the time, that’s enough to find out what on Earth is going on in its head. To help you out, here’s what your big-eyed feline angel might be thinking:
I don’t like the new dog/cat in the house!
Did you recently get a new pet? If yes, then your cat may or may not absolutely hate it! While most cats just seek privacy and even reduce human contact in such situations, there are occasions where felines get over their “cat ego” and attempt to win back your attention and love.
If that’s the case, and you usually spend more time with your pets after work in the evening, maybe we found the answer to the question, why is my cat overly affectionate at night. It’s nothing you should worry about — at the end of the day, your fluff ball just wants more cuddles; and something tells me you’re not mad about that at all…
I hate loud noises! What kind of fun is that for humans!?
Most pets are easily scared by loud noises. Their senses are a lot more developed than ours, and what we take for an ordinary “firework bang” is like a bomb falling from the sky to them. In fact, the stress from the noise can be so bad that some animals even develop anxiety and depression. That is why, in recent years, there is a tendency of countries banning consumer fireworks. What’s more, many have omitted the use of pyrotechnic devices from their holiday programs altogether.
That is due to a large number of animal activists as well as regular pet owners and veterinarians who have voiced their concerns about the negative effects of extremely loud noises on animals.
So, if it’s the holiday season and there are firework shows every evening in your city, your cat might be stressed beyond belief. That’s why it wants to be around you — it feels safe when you’re present.
In fact, most cat owners would give an arm and a leg to be in your place! That’s because in such cases most felines don’t become “loving and affectionate,” but “nervous devils that will shred your (ugly) curtains and not let you sleep at night.”
That should answer the question, why is my cat overly affectionate at night?
Now, here’s some advice on how to act during the holiday season if firework shows are common in your area:
Don’t Panic!
See, if you know your cat is sensitive to loud noises and you panic every time there’s going to be fireworks, your fluffy friend will certainly feel the tension and start panicking too — and we all know how that can end, right? That’s why you should be calm and relaxed.
Take Precautions
Close all windows, draw the curtains, maybe play some calming music if your cat likes that, snuggle up on the sofa, and give your feline fluff all the affection it wants.
Again, don’t be hectic, because animals feel that. You want to calmly prepare as if you’re getting ready to enjoy just a regular evening. And indeed, you will enjoy it because you’ll have the perfect excuse to stay home, play with your cat, and watch Netflix. Now that’s what I call a purrfect night!
Excuse you?! I’m right here. Why are you ignoring me?
Life is busy, no doubt. We’ve all been there — trying to balance work life and still preserve the few social contacts we have can be hard. Therefore, squeezing “playtime with my cat” in our packed schedules is sometimes impossible.
You may be saying, Exactly! I’ve been so stressed out recently — kids, family…, and let me stop you there. You must understand that that’s something your cat is not aware of. It wants attention (like every pet), and if it doesn’t receive any, it may become overly affectionate. If that’s the case, then, similarly to the “new pet in the house” scenario, your feline fluff will seek attention at night, when you’re home.
So if you want to be a good cat owner (and if you’re taking the time to read this article, you surely do), you should show your kitty how much you love it! The time spent with it will relieve the stress and help you unwind; trust me.
I don’t like the changes!
Have there been any changes in your life recently? Maybe you moved or are in the process of moving to a new place, or perhaps a baby was born?
Regardless, cats are creatures of habit. They like predictability. If they know you wake up at 7:30 A.M. every morning, put food in their bowl at 7:45 A.M., change their litter at noon, and play with them while watching TV at 6:30 P.M., then a change in that routine will certainly stress them out. And just like humans, every cat reacts to stress differently. Yours might have become affectionate because it finds stability in you.
To prevent the anxiety and stress associated with changes in routine, lifestyle, etc., make sure to give your cat plenty of attention. Try to stick to your normal schedule as much as possible, and always remember that just like you, your fluffy friend needs love and care.
Alright, I can’t hide it anymore… I’m in pain. I need your help.
Many cats don’t normally show any signs that they are in pain. That’s why your kitty may have had an ongoing medical condition for weeks or even months before you notice it.
You might be wondering, why would my cat hide such a thing? Well, you shouldn’t forget that no matter how well trained and domesticated your cat is, it still has instincts, and hiding its pain is one of them.
Simply put, felines do that because out in the wild, injured/ill individuals are seen as weak. They are easy prey for predators. That’s why cats have developed an instinct to hide their pain.
Sometimes, however, the pain is stronger than the instinct, and the only way your kitty can show you something’s not right is by becoming extremely affectionate and clingy. Again, you’d probably spend more time with it in the evening, so that could be the answer to the question, why is my cat overly affectionate at night?
If none of the aforementioned suggestions are valid for your situation, and your big-eyed ball of fluff has suddenly changed its behavior out of nowhere, consult with your veterinarian. They will do all the necessary testing and a thorough physical examination and will be able to tell you if everything’s alright.
Remember, don’t wait for the last minute to make an appointment with your vet. You’d want to catch the problem early on to avoid any potential complications.
To Conclude
Cats are wonderful creatures, and just like humans, every feline is different. They all have a character of their own and an attitude of a member of the Royal Family… One thing they all share, however, is the need for unconditional love.
And undoubtedly, they can show you that need in various ways, a sudden need for affection being just one of them. Of course, you don’t always have to guess what your pet is trying to tell you — there are many ways to understand your cat’s language.
Now, having read this article, you know that a cat overly affectionate at night is not a rare sight. Depending on the situation, though, it might be worth consulting with a vet.
Some cats are more independent and quickly set their boundaries. To them, you are the one who’s hungry for attention, and they are the ones that may be kind enough to give you some. Others, however, react to human interactions in the exact opposite way. They need to be pet and cuddled, and they love it when you’re around.
Whatever your furry friend’s preferences are, if it suddenly changes its behavior and becomes super clingy, that’s definitely something you should seriously look into. I hope that my suggestions helped solve the mystery of a cat overly affectionate at night. Good luck!
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