Why does my cat meow excessively at night?

In a young or middle-aged cat, usually unspent daytime energy or hunger before breakfast. The fix is more structured play earlier in the day plus an evening wet-food meal close to bedtime. Cornell flags interactive play as essential.[1] In senior cats (12+), nighttime meowing often has medical causes: cognitive dysfunction (feline equivalent of dementia), hyperthyroidism, hypertension, or pain. Senior cats whose nighttime vocalization is new deserve a same-week vet visit — many of the underlying conditions are treatable, and the meowing usually resolves with treatment.

When to call a vet: any senior cat with new nighttime vocalization, any cat with vocalization plus weight loss or appetite changes, or any sudden shift in vocalization pattern.