Are cats nocturnal?

Whether it's thanks to random crashes in the lounge, midnight yowling, or those fun 3am zoomies, we’ve all been woken up by our cats up to no good in the middle of the night. But why do they choose when we’re sleeping to cause havoc? And sleep when we’re awake? Turns out, cats have different sleep habits to us. Who knew?

Learn more about why cats are more active at night and explore your cat’s sleep habits in closer detail.

Every cat is unique. So they will be active at different times of day. But cats are naturally crepuscular (big word) which means they tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. In the UK, these times can really vary throughout the year which can leave you wondering why your cat is partying through the night in summer and hunkering down for cuddles in winter.

Cats naturally hunt during the night, as this is when their prey is most active. This means that a cat that was once a stray or lives most of its life outside may like to be out and about in the darkness and sleep during the day.

Cats can sleep up to 20 hours during a 24 hour period, so the answer is anytime. They may choose to sleep during the day or at night and don’t usually have a set ‘bedtime’. Rather, they like to nap and wake in cycles throughout the day, usually opting to sleep both in the daytime and the nighttime.

Cats are designed to hunt in low light, so their eyes are exceptional at seeing in the dark. This doesn’t mean they will necessarily like the dark better, but it does mean that they’re much better equipped to function in the dark, unlike humans.

Humans cannot see in the dark, which explains why many of us are so scared of it. Meanwhile, cats have curved corneas and large lenses which allows their eyes to let in maximum light and see very well in low light. This is perhaps why your cat feels no fear when wandering the streets alone at night.

With around 50% larger corneas than humans, cats can see much more effectively than humans in the dark. However, this isn’t to say that cats can see better in the dark versus the light. The average cat would still see more in the light, but they also have a skill for seeing in the dark.

Many cat parents struggle with their cat making noise and causing a mess at night time. If you have a young cat or a particularly active and hyper cat, you may notice that they love to play when you’re trying to get your beauty sleep. This is especially true if they haven’t expended enough energy throughout the day.

One way to help your cat remain calmer at night is to create a routine for them that winds them down. Usually it would be best to get all of their stimulation and playtime out before bed, so that when you start to relax and unwind they follow your lead.

Another reason your cat might be hyper in the evening or through the night is hunger. If they’re hungry and haven’t eaten enough they may become more playful as they’re in a hunting mindset. Minimise this by feeding them before bed, or leaving treats out for them to eat at night.

You could also opt to use a pheromone spray which sends relaxing signals to your cat to keep them relaxed and ready for bed.

Diet can also play a role in your cat’s behaviour at nighttime, with an unhealthy diet contributing to weight gain and health issues. Fresh cat food (made from 100% human-quality meat) that’s designed to keep your cat healthy for life is a great option to keep them thriving.