Are cats crepuscular?

If your cat sits on your head when you are trying to sleep, or decides to sing the song of their people at 4 AM, you might think cats are nocturnal, but according to cattitudedaily.com, cats are crepuscular, not nocturnal!

So, what is the meaning of crepuscular? 

According to A-Zanimals.com, a crepuscular animal is most active during periods of low light, like dawn and dusk. Their peak activity is in the time in between day and night, in the early morning and early evening. They tend to rest during the day and during the night.

Besides cats, other crepuscular animals include deer, rabbits, coyotes, foxes and even fireflies. 

Why are cats crepuscular? 

A-Zanimals.com says that in general crepuscular animals have adapted to the twilight hours because it can be useful in finding food and avoiding danger. They say there is less competition during those times, a more moderate temperature and fewer dangerous predators around. 

According to petmd.com, mice and birds are particularly active at dawn, so that is a good time for a cat to hunt. Their eyes are specially adapted to see well in low light, and they can use their whiskers like radar, which also helps them navigate in low light. These traits allow them to be more effective hunters during those twilight hours in early morning and early evening. Domestic cats are predators, but they can also be prey, so being active at dusk and dawn helps keep them out of the sights of larger predators who hunt either during the day or night hours. In addition, readersdigest.com says that our cats roots as desert dwellers influenced their pattern of activity because it allowed them to avoid the hottest part of the day. 

Your cat might not need to worry about catching a mouse or bird for breakfast, since you'll be providing their meals, but the instinct to be most active during those crepuscular times is still with them. Petmd.com says we can take advantage of their crepuscular rhythm to actually help avoid those nighttime activities that might keep you up. They say that cats in the wild might eat as many as 15 small meals a day, so if they are only getting 2 or 3 meals from you, they might get up in the night because they are hungry. They also say that cats that do hunt for their food go through the predatory cycle - they expend a burst of energy on catching prey, then enjoy a well earned meal, then rest to recharge for the next hunt. For indoor cats, they usually only get the eat and sleep part, but we can help to fill the cycle by adding some playtime before meals, especially during our cats preferred times of dawn and dusk. A burst of energy spent playing, followed by a meal might help set up your cat for a good night's sleep! 

If possible, it can also help to play with your cat during the day so that they are more tired at night. This can help them adapt to a schedule that helps you get more sleep at night. 

21cats.org also suggests adding some grooming sessions to help your cat relax. This can also be a great bonding opportunity for you and your cat as you spend time together unwinding. 

If your cat is still keeping you up, or if they are becoming more vocal in the wee hours, it might also be worth a trip to the vet. A cat who yowls at night might be in pain or experiencing feline dementia. A cat who has not been spayed or neutered might also be yowling because they are looking for a mate. A visit to the veterinarian can help get to the root cause and suggest a treatment to help. 

In summary cats are crepuscular - they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. They have evolved this way to help them avoid predators, catch prey and avoid the heat of the day. They are specially adapted to hunting in the low light conditions that come during the times between day and night and night and day. So, take advantage of this if you can and make early morning and early evening playtime for you and your feline friends! 

Cover Photo by Wouter De Praetere on Unsplash