NEWS
How long do cats sleep?
Cat's have different sleep requirements depending on their age– here's how much your cat should sleep and what it means if it sleeps too much.
How long do cats sleep?
Cats are habitual by nature and tend to follow the same sleeping patterns for long periods; however, their typical sleep cycles will vary as they age. How your cat sleeps when it is a kitten will be pretty different from how much it sleeps as an adult. It is important to know for how long your cat is supposed to sleep. If you discover that it sleeps too much or too little, it might be a reason for concern.
How long do cats sleep | And why do they sleep so much?
It is no secret that cats sleep a lot. The reason lies in their natural habitat as hunters in the wild. As a result of evolution, felines have developed a sleep cycle quite different to humans. We tend to sleep between 7-9 coherent hours on average with deep sleep cycles, making it hard for us to wake up during the night.
On the other hand, cats tend to spend ¼ of their total sleeping time in a deep cycle. The remaining ¾ they spend snoozing throughout the day so that if something unexpected occurs, like a predator or prey, they can easily wake up and deal with the situation.
How long do cats sleep on a daily basis?
Much like with humans, the older we get, our need for sleep changes. Kittens sleep the most; adolescents have more an unpredictable sleeping pattern, as they tend to wake up with explosive energy outbursts. Adult cats have the most predictable sleeping patterns but sleep quite a lot. Old cats are less agile and have reduced energy and; therefore, they sleep the most.
Kittens
Kittens are still under development and need lots of sleep to grow big. They will spend most of the day sleeping when they're not sleeping or eating or playing.
Adolescent
Adolescent cats require less sleep and choose to sleep when they feel like it. It is not uncommon for them to wake up in the middle of the night with a sudden urge to play.
Adult
Adult cats have the most predictable sleeping patterns. They generally prefer to have routines for most of their days. Still, an adult cat sleeps between 12-20 hours a day. How many hours they sleep varies between individuals.
Senior
Senior cats don't have the same urge to activate themselves. Reduced agility and energy leave them with a leisurely lifestyle. They sleep more than younger cats.
Is there ever a need for concern?
Get to know your cats' sleeping schedule. If it sleeps inconsistently over an extended period, consider bringing it to the veterinarian for a check-up.
Read more
- Why does my cat sleep with me and not my husband?
- Choose the right cat bed
- Cat facts: Sleep
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