Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

Cats sleep fifteen hours on average each day, with some sleeping up to twenty hours in a 24-hour period. Consequently, it begs the question of why cats sleep so much.

The ‘Catnap’

The first thing you should know is that cats spend the majority of their waking hours sleeping and are most active between dark and dawn. If you’re taking a new kitten home for the first time, this can come as quite a shock. The majority of the time, your cat will investigate and cause problems while you’re sound asleep. But as soon as your cat finishes breakfast and the rest of the world gets ready for action, you’ll see him settling in for a lengthy nap.

Energy Conservation

Cats are predisposed to chase after prey and hunt, usually at night, because they have a predator’s physiology. Similar to small cats, large cats like lions also sleep during the day and hunt at night. Housecats still have a wild side even if they have mostly been domesticated. Even playful cats will exhibit the feline natural tendencies of lurking in the shadows and pounce on their intended prey without a peep of warning.

Additionally, hunting requires a tremendous amount of energy. All that sleep your cat receives is just reserve energy for sprinting, pouncing, climbing, and stalking, whether he’s chasing after outdoor prey or confronting a catnip toy.

One Eye Open

Like people, cats either snooze lightly or go into profound sleep. Your cat will position his body so that he may stand up and take action at a moment’s notice when he naps, which lasts for fifteen to thirty minutes.

Cats’ brains move quickly or quickly during deep slumber. The cat usually returns to napping after about five minutes of deep sleep. Up until the cat wakes up, this rhythm of napping and deep sleep continues.

The average adult cat tends to sleep less than kittens and older cats.

Rainy Day

It should not come as a surprise that cats are just like humans and are impacted by the weather. Depending on the breed, age, temperament, and general health of the cat, their behaviour might vary dramatically. Whatever your cat’s typical demeanour, it has been noted that cats tend to sleep more when the weather warrants it. Yes, a rainy or cold day will have your cat yawning and yearning for some sleep even if he or she just spends time inside.

What Time is it?

Crepuscular, or twilight-active, refers to the fact that cats are most active at dawn and dusk. When other predators might be nearby throughout the later night and day, they tend to hide out. Even at night, some cats might be active, especially when they’re young. However, cats are also quite flexible and friendly. This indicates that a cat is likely to change his sleeping patterns in order to spend more time with his loved ones, which includes you. An indoor cat sleeps more than an outdoor cat because cats will alter their sleep cycles to their food routines.

Your cat’s degree of involvement and activity greatly depends on whether he is consistently recharging his kitty batteries, regardless of how spry he is as a kitten or an older cat.

Cats may sleep a lot, but they sure do make the most of their time while they are awake!