Why Is My Cat Meowing With a Toy in Her Mouth?

It's 2 a.m. A long, strange yowl drifts in from the hallway. Then your cat trots into the bedroom with a toy mouse in her mouth. She drops it by the bed and calls again.

The short answer: this is usually normal. Hannah Hart, a vet writing for PetMD, says even indoor-only cats may bring you their toys. They may come "meowing and yowling as they carry them over." It ties back to hunting, and it often peaks at night.

Why Does She Carry the Toy and Call?

To your cat, that toy is prey, and she has just caught it. International Cat Care (iCatCare) calls the cat a predatory species. When adult cats play with our toys, iCatCare says, we're really watching them hunt. Cats also play harder and longer with toys that look like real prey.

Hunger isn't the whole story. iCatCare notes that the urge to hunt is only partly about being hungry. So a well-fed cat still stalks, pounces and carries off her "catch."

Why bring it to you, and why the noise? PetMD lists a few ideas:

• Practicing a skill: she may be using the hunting skills her mother taught her. Then she brings the catch home to share.
• Stashing her prize: she may be taking her prize where other predators can't get it.
• Asking you to play: she may want a game or your attention. PetMD calls this a possible bond-building behavior.

No one knows for sure. It may be a bit of each.

Why Does It Happen So Often at Night?

Her body clock is set for hunting, and your house is quiet. The San Francisco SPCA explains that cats are most active at dawn and dusk. In the wild, those are the best times to hunt. iCatCare notes that prey animals are busiest then, too.

Boredom plays a part. Sandra C. Mitchell, another vet writing for PetMD, says many cats meow at night because they are bored or frustrated. Others want something, like food or attention. The SF SPCA adds that young cats often get a burst of playful energy right when you're ready for bed.

How you answer matters, too. iCatCare explains it this way. If a meow earns her attention or food, she's very likely to meow again. One sleepy 3 a.m. snack can turn into a nightly call.

What Should You Do When She Calls?

Stay calm, never punish her, and don't pay off the 3 a.m. call. PetMD is clear that you should never hit or scold a cat for meowing. The ASPCA says the same.

If she brings you her toy in the evening, wait for a quiet moment, then answer with a short game, so the game rewards the toy, not the yowl. At night, it's a different story:

• Stay in bed. PetMD advises against getting up to give her what she wants, unless it's an emergency.
• Skip the snack. The ASPCA says to feed at set times, and never while she cries.
• Skip the game, too. The SF SPCA warns that if you play or feed when she wakes you, she'll repeat it.

Can a Play Session Before Bed Help?

A short hunt before bed gives her the catch she's after. The SF SPCA suggests an evening play session right before bed, then her largest meal right after. Cat Friendly Homes, from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, says to let your cat capture the "prey" at the end. That satisfies her hunting instinct and keeps her from getting frustrated.

Here's a simple bedtime hunt:

1. 1

   Bring out a wand toy

   Move it like a mouse along the floor.

2. 2

   Let her stalk and chase

   Pause it, then let it dart away.

3. 3

   Let her catch it

   End with the toy in her paws or her mouth.

4. 4

   Serve her biggest meal

   Use part of her normal daily food, not extra.

5. 5

   Turn out the lights

   Put away any toy with strings or feathers first.

iCatCare says short, frequent play sessions are closest to how cats hunt in nature. For how long and how often to play, see a simple daily play plan.

No routine can promise a quiet night. Results vary from cat to cat, so give it a fair trial.

What Kind of Toy Can She Carry?

Give her soft, prey-sized toys that are light enough to lift. For a wider look, see what kinds of toys cats like.

Two carry-size picks from LitterBond's plush cat toys:

• Soft animals to carry: the Curly Sherpa Catnip Animals are plush animals about 5.1 to 7.5 inches long or tall. They have embroidered faces and catnip powder inside. They come in a 3-Pack or 6-Pack, and the store picks the styles. Rope tails on some styles are for supervised play.
• Small fish to bat and carry: the Rattle Catnip Fish Pairs are made for batting and carrying. They come as 3 Pairs (6 fish) or 6 Pairs (12 fish), and the store picks the colors. The rattle box inside is a small part, so remove any fish that tears open. Keep the feathers, cord and ball for supervised play.

Not every cat reacts to catnip. If yours shrugs it off, here's why some cats don't react to catnip. Many cats still play for the chase.

A few house rules for any toy:

• Play together, then store the toys out of reach, as both listings advise.
• Watch closely around strings, rope, cords and feathers during play.
• Check toys often, and throw away any that are torn or have loose parts.

When Should You Call Your Vet?

A yowl that's new, or that comes with other changes, needs a vet check. Toy calls from a healthy young cat are usually just play. But loud night yowling can also be a sign of illness, especially in an older cat.

The Cornell Feline Health Center says signs of cognitive dysfunction tend to show clearly in cats 10 or older. These signs resemble dementia in people. One sign is loud vocalizing, often in the middle of the night. Cornell adds that night-time vocalizing is relatively common in cats with an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure.

Weight loss, a huge appetite or thirst, and vocalizing are among the thyroid signs Cornell's animal hospital lists. iCatCare adds that kidney disease, arthritis pain and high blood pressure can cause similar changes. Only your vet can sort out which it is. iCatCare notes some conditions can be treated.

PetMD's rule is simple. If her meow changes in tone or frequency, see your vet as soon as you can.

Is she unspayed? The ASPCA notes that females yowl to let males know they're ready to mate. That's a different call, and a good time to talk to your vet about spaying.

One more sign: a cat who loses interest in play and food at the same time needs a vet check.

Back to 2 a.m. That yowl from the hallway is usually just a hunter with her catch. So give her the hunt before bed: a wand toy, a catch, a meal, then lights out. Don't answer the 3 a.m. encore. And if the calls are new, or she's getting older, let your vet take a look first.

Questions this guide did not cover

Why play before her meal, not after?

Because a hungry cat is a keener hunter. Cat Friendly Homes notes that cats tend to play more when they are hungry. It also suggests frequent small meals, or food hidden around the house, to get her playing more often.

What if my cat brings me real prey?

Keep your reaction low-key. PetMD advises reacting as little as possible, since a big response may reward it. Dead prey can carry parasites or rat poison, so throw it away with care and watch your cat for signs of illness. For a live animal, call your local wildlife service.

Do male cats yowl at night, too?

Yes, especially if he isn't neutered. The ASPCA says cats that aren't spayed or neutered are more likely to yowl. Males yowl to get to females. Talk to your vet about neutering.

Related reading

• How Long Should You Play With Your Cat? A Simple Daily Play Plan
• What Kind of Toys Do Cats Like? A Play Style Guide