One worry that many new cat owners have is: why do cats and kittens sleep so much? Perhaps you are one of them and are wondering when you should start to worry. In this article, we will cover cats’ sleeping habits so that you make sure your cat is in perfect health. And, if he isn’t, you will know that he needs a medical evaluation from a trusted vet.
Do Cats Sleep A Lot
“My cat is always sleeping” is a regular saying from people who have just adopted a cat for the first time.
Cats sleep around 15 hours every day on average. They can, however, sleep up to 20 hours in a 24-hour period.
Cats, on average, sleep the bulk of the day while they are most active at night. In case you’re wondering why: it has to do with their physiology.
Because cats are natural predators, their minds and bodies are wired to hunt primarily at night, when their superior vision enables them to grab prey while remaining unnoticed.
Though domesticated, our cats exhibit many of the same habits as wild cats, such as lions and tigers. Because hunting prey requires a great deal of energy, cats sleep as much as possible to save energy for pouncing on their prey, even if it is a catnip toy or rubber ball.
Does My Cat Sleep Too Much
The only way to know if your cat is sleeping more than he should is to compare to how much time he used to sleep before. If you’ve been raising your cat for a while, you will know his sleeping patterns and notice when he is more or less active.
If suddenly he is not chasing birds and little animals anymore and spends too much time laying or sleeping, then it is okay to think something might be wrong. The best thing to do is take him to a vet.
Now, if you just adopted a cat and think he sleeps too much, remember that cats truly sleep a lot. Still, if you are concerned about his health, just take him to the vet to make sure if there is anything you should do.
Why Do Cats & Kittens Sleep So Much (More Than Usual)
Are you thinking, “why do cats nap so much?” Although cats usually sleep a lot, there might be reasons when they are sleeping more than usual. Check below what might cause your cat to sleep beyond the regular:
1. Overweight
Obesity is a highly probable cause of your cat’s excessive sleeping. Apart from overfeeding, obesity in cats may also be a result of an unbalanced diet and inactivity. Three to four little meals per day should be plenty for an ordinary cat. Provide him with a lean, protein-dense diet.
2. Your cat may be sleeping more because of depression
If your cat’s excessive slumber is accompanied by other indicators of depression, such as lack of food, avoidance, or other strange behavior, this might indicate that your cat is depressed. However, feline depression is distinct from clinical depression in humans.
This ailment might manifest symptoms similar to those discussed before as a consequence of an underlying sickness. In these instances, it is recommended to take your cat to the veterinarian, who will do the required tests to ascertain the cause of your cat’s illness.
3. Infection
Fatigue and lethargy are typical signs of bacterial and viral illnesses. They are often accompanied by additional symptoms such as discharge from the eyes and nose, diarrhea or loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, lack of interest in hygiene, and respiratory infections. If your cat develops such alarming signs, he should visit a veterinarian immediately.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is considerably more prevalent in felines than you would believe. If a cat’s blood sugar or glucose levels are out of balance, it may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and dehydration. Strict dietary modifications would be necessary, and it is recommended to contact your veterinarian.
Why Does My Cat Sleep All Day: Is It Normal Or Should You Worry?
It is not normal for a cat to sleep throughout the whole day. If your cat is still a kitten, he should sleep around 15 hours a day. If he is a senior cat, then 20 hours is also fine.
However, if your kitten is sleeping much more than that, or even your senior cat is sleeping more than 20 hours, perhaps you need to worry. Cats up to 10 years old will be active during some moments of the day, whether roaming around, chasing animals, playing with their toys, or begging for you to give them love.
What Makes Cats Sleepy
Cats get sleepy easily. They are predators that need to conserve energy for hunting time (or playing time, when they are domestic cats), so they will spend more than half the day sleeping. They get a bit more active around dusk, but they will return home to sleep before sunrise.
If he is healthy, just playing with your cat will make him sleepy easily. If you want your cat to sleep when you do, play with him for a bit before going to bed. This will make him tired, and he will want to sleep. That way, there won’t be any unexpected noises from him while you are resting.
Why Do Cats & Kittens Sleep A Lot FAQ
Do Cats Sleep A Lot Because They Are Bored?
No, cats don’t sleep out of boredom. A healthy cat will sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day. Now, if your cat starts to sleep more than that or is lethargic and doesn’t want to play or hunt after birds/small animals, you should check on his health by taking him to the vet.
Final Words About Why Do Cats Sleep So Much
If you are a new cat owner, you don’t need to worry that your cat or kitten sleeps so much of the day. However, if you notice some changes in his sleeping pattern and he genuinely starts to sleep more than usual and also presents other symptoms, you should take him to the vet to figure out what is going on.
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