Many of us have often thought that cats are somewhat “lazy” creatures that sleep all day – and lots of us find it cute that our feline friends don’t think that they’re obligated to contribute anything in return. What most cat owners don’t consider to be “cute,” however, is when these kitties keep us up at night after a long day of work! But are cats nocturnal creatures? Or are they just purposely trying to annoy us?

Why are cats nocturnal? Are they?

There’s long been a belief that cats are most active at night. And there could very well be a slight truth to that – as big cats in the wild (such as lions, tigers, leopards, etc.) typically hunt at night. However, house cats have massively evolved from their enormous ancestors.

House cats have also been domesticated by humans for tens and thousands of years (according to Smithsonian Magazine), and many of their predatory instincts practically don’t exist anymore!

However, some old – and, in this case, ancient – habits do indeed die hard. There are plenty of house cats that still believe that their human’s bedtime is their playtime! But this isn’t always the case.

According to an Animal Humane Society article (as well as various cat and cat behavior experts), cats aren’t exclusively nocturnal animals – but rather, “crepuscular” creatures; these are animals that are most active at dusk and dawn.

One of the main reasons why cats are naturally crepuscular is because dawn and dusk are the best time they can utilize their hunting abilities – their incredible eyesight and impressive stealth make it easier for them to hunt for prey.

What do we – humans – do about our nocturnal cats?

Let’s face it: many of us just want a peaceful slumber. And with all the meowing, running, and playing – that some of our cats do come nightfall – doesn’t exactly make it easier for us to sleep.

*We’d like to emphasize that it’s absolutely never okay to yell or hurt your cat for being active when you’re too tired to play with them (or when they wake you up in the middle of the night) – they never deserve to be punished for something natural to them! They cannot control their energy levels!

On the other hand, there are a few measures you can take so your furry friend can adjust to your sleep schedule better – or at least not be as energetic when you’re resting.

• Exercise or play with your cat

Cats are notoriously sedentary goofballs. But they came from predators – that’s why they’re so good at hunting birds and rodents! Therefore, they’re naturally athletic, energetic, and agile animals. If cats are unsure how to channel all this built-up energy, they will probably let it loose at night – when you’re asleep!

If you have time in the day (or before your bedtime) to play with your cat or engage in a fun activity with them, you can do that: play hide and seek, get them to chase a toy, or if your cat is leash trained, you can also take them out for a walk.

• Before you sleep, make sure your cat isn’t hungry

Sometimes, cats don’t make noises when you’re sleeping because they want to wake you up out of spite. In some instances, these meows and cries are their way of asking for food!

You can try adding more food to their diet, increasing the frequency of their meals, or leaving food for them at night. However, make sure you ask a veterinarian first before switching to a different kind of diet for your feline pal.

• Keep your cat outside your bedroom

If all else fails, and you’re losing hours of sleep from your cat’s nocturnal activities, you can perhaps turn your bedroom into a “cat-free area” – or a room exclusively for non-hyperactive cats! But make sure that your cat won’t wander off to unknown places while you’re asleep!

Cats don’t think “catnaps” apply to their humans!

You could say that “purring and playing” is a lullaby made by nocturnal cats. But are cats nocturnal? Or do they just need more attention? Turns out, both – but primarily the latter! Cat behavior experts believe that some remnants of their ancestors’ behaviors are still present among them. But most of the time, cats are simply up and about in the dead of the night because they want to communicate certain things to their owners!