Lately, my usually chill cat has taken to pacing around the apartment all night, meowing nonstop. It started about two weeks ago after I moved furniture around, and now I’m barely getting 4 hours of sleep. I’ve tried playing with her more during the day and leaving a night light on, but nothing calms her down. I’m starting to feel exhausted and irritable, which is unlike me since I usually love my quiet nights. Has anyone dealt with sudden nighttime restlessness in their cats? What helped your pet settle down? Also, could this be a sign of something medical I should worry about? I want to make sure she’s okay but also get my sleep back.

That furniture move really might have shaken up her sense of territory - cats can be super sensitive to changes in their environment. When my cat had a similar freak-out after we rearranged the living room, I found that adding a cozy, familiar-smelling blanket or bed in a quiet corner helped her feel anchored again. Maybe try placing something with your scent near her favorite hangout spots?

Also, since this has been going on for a couple of weeks, it wouldn’t hurt to get her checked by a vet just to rule out any medical issues that might be causing discomfort or anxiety. Sometimes restless behavior can be a subtle sign of something physical, even if she seems otherwise fine.

It’s rough when your sleep gets wrecked like that - hang in there! Hopefully, with a little extra comfort and a vet visit, things will settle back down soon.