Cats usually sleep during the day and become highly active after dark. Of course, some indoor cats have adapted to human routines and will sleep through the night. However, for outdoor stray cats, nighttime is when their real activities begin. During the day, with people constantly coming and going and the streets being busy, they often find it hard to move around, so they rest in a safe spot. But when night falls and the streets grow quieter, these cats become more free to roam. Some cats spend their nights “hunting,” while others may engage in more romantic pursuits.
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Why Do Cats Like the Night?
Many studies show that cats are truly nocturnal animals. Even though domestic cats try to adapt to human schedules, many are still quite restless at night. In fact, cats are most active during the twilight hours and into the early morning, and they tend to enjoy peace and quiet by dawn. The key reason is that when night falls, the streets become much quieter. Cats rely heavily on their hearing to pick up various signals, and the quiet environment makes it easier for them to detect anything unusual. Moreover, cats’ vision at night is remarkable—they see even better in low light than during the day.
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Where Do Cats Go at Night?
For some stray cats, even though nighttime is an ideal time to venture out, they usually stick to their familiar territory. These cats will roam within a known area, not traveling too far. However, for many strays, nightfall is the perfect opportunity for longer journeys. The darkness provides a sense of security as they are less likely to be seen, which encourages them to explore further. Sometimes, cats can travel more than 10 kilometers at night. Occasionally, a cat may wander too far and become lost, unable to find its way back home.
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What Do Cats Do at Night?
① Exploring Territory:Exploring and defending territory is one of the most common nighttime activities for cats. With streets empty and few cars on the road, cats have more freedom to roam than during the day. Cats typically use the night to expand their territory, which is why we often hear the sounds of two cats fighting over territory late at night.② Searching for Food:Nighttime is also an excellent time for cats to hunt for food, as many rodents are active at night. For example, rats avoid going out during the day because of the danger of being caught. Most rodents prefer to be active at night, which works out perfectly for cats. Cats have a higher success rate when hunting at night due to their enhanced senses of smell and hearing. Some cats also scavenge food that humans have discarded, as people rarely visit trash bins at night.③ Finding a Mate:If a cat has not been spayed or neutered, it will still be interested in finding a mate. Nighttime provides the perfect opportunity for cats to “meet” without being disturbed. Male and female cats can easily find a secluded spot at night to engage in mating. The process is quick, typically lasting only about 30 seconds.
The reason cats prefer to be active at night is that as night falls, the surrounding environment becomes quieter, with fewer people and cars on the streets. Additionally, at night, their senses become sharper, making them truly nocturnal creatures.
