How Long Do Cats Sleep?

by Alexander Thompson

Nov 10, 2022

2 minute read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Are Cats Actually Sleeping?
Why Do Cats Sleep For Most Of The Day?
Do Cats Sleep at Night?
How Often Should A Cat Sleep?
When Should You Worry About Your Cats Sleeping Patterns?
Final Thoughts

Cats sleep most of the day. On average, some cats can sleep 15 hours a day, some even sleep up to 20 hours a day. This is because cats are crepuscular creatures – they are more active at dawn and dusk while sleeping in between.

When growing, kittens need a lot of sleep. However, they don't need as much sleep when they reach adult size. This is usually when they are about a year old. Generally, adult cats sleep an average of 16 hours a day. Senior cats tend to sleep more.

Are Cats Actually Sleeping?

Cats don't sleep deeply for the whole 16 hours, despite the lengthy snoozing. Deep sleep for cats is only about a quarter of the entire time. The remaining sleeping time is a light dozing state. You can easily spot it when your cat is dozing. His eyes may be partially open, and he will still notice noises. Nevertheless, he can leap into action immediately. So, the dozing state is a standby sleep where your cat is at ease.

Click here to learn why you cat is sneezing.

Why Do Cats Sleep For Most Of The Day?

Cats are genetically predisposed to sleep. So even though you regularly give your feline friend delicious meals, your cat may still think he is living in the wild. This translates to your cat sleeping for hours to prepare for the next hunt.

Do Cats Sleep at Night?

You might notice your cat sleeping during the day and stay awake at dusk and dawn. This sleeping schedule is one of the secrets of your cat's wildest relatives' efficient hunting. Their prey, primarily birds and small mammals, are less likely to be guarded against dangers during twilight hours. Therefore, they become targets for the hungry feline.

So, your cat is always playful when you get ready for bed due to this hunting instincts. In addition, their crepuscular nature means they run up and down your room in the early mornings and late evenings when you least appreciate it.

If your furry ball often snores during sleep, you can click here to find the reasons. Some domesticated cats adjust their sleeping schedules to match their owner's waking hours. So all they need to adjust is a cooperating human to give them food and water and play with them.

How Often Should A Cat Sleep?

Your cat's sleeping patterns and the number of hours they need change as they age. For instance, kittens will sleep for most of the day. They only have a few brief bursts of energy between meals. On the other hand, adolescent cats have erratic sleep patterns while they play intensely.

Furthermore, adult cats have a more defined sleeping schedule. As a result, they get an average of 12-20 hours of sleep daily. Finally, senior cats are less energetic and have reduced mobility. Thus, they tend to sleep more than younger cats.

When Should You Worry About Your Cats Sleeping Patterns?

Cats are experts at snoozing a lot. Nevertheless, they hardly shut their eyes. But there are instances when you should be worried.

If there are significant changes to your cat's sleep pattern, such as sleeping a lot more or less than usual, it is time to visit a vet. A vet will check your cat for sleep-related issues. Health issues resulting in sleep loss include hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal problems, or depression. On the other hand, pain or illness can result in your cat sleeping more.

Final Thoughts

If you are a new cat parent, don’t worry if your furry ball sleeps all day long. This is normal in cats, you should know that much of the sleeping is “catnapping.” A cat should respond quickly to usual stimuli, such as the owner walking into the room or cat food being prepared.

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