Have you ever wondered why your cat sleeps all day? Or maybe you just want to find out if your cat is sleeping above average. As any cat parent knows, cats doze a lot, but why do cats sleep so much? Here at Henart we decided to find some answers.
So why do cats sleep so much?
There is a simple answer to this question and that is evolution. Our house cats have simple lives of snoozing and nibbling, so it's easy to forget what they would be doing in the wild.
Cats have evolved to hunt for food. That's why they sleep so much to conserve their energy when they need to go out foraging. Even if today's cats are served their dinner in a bowl and no longer have to hunt, their natural hunting instinct remains - and with it the energy they need.
How many hours do cats sleep a day?
The average cat sleeps around 15-16 hours a day, but research shows cats can sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Your cat's age has something to do with how often it sleeps: kittens need more sleep and will snooze most of the day. A growing cat that uses a lot of energy needs less rest. As a cat gets older, it tends to sleep more - so an older cat may spend most of the day snoozing in a comfortable spot.
And what about cat abductions?
We've all heard the term "cat nap," and that's how our cats sleep! They sleep a little differently than we humans do. Instead of lying down for eight hours of sleep, our cats sleep in short bursts throughout the day. That's another evolutionary advantage: these little naps keep cats always ready to react to their surroundings.
When do cats sleep?
While the answer may seem like "always," there is actually a pattern to their snoozing. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
This is not quite the same as being nocturnal. Cats have evolved to use these dark times to hunt prey while resting during the darkest hours of the night - unlike nocturnal animals.
Where do cats prefer to sleep?
Your cats might sleep just about anywhere at home, but there are a few things cats look for when it comes to a cozy place to sleep: comfort, warmth, and safety.
Convenience goes without saying, for humans and cats alike! Warmth is also something that cat lovers don't want to be without: you may have seen them napping in a sunny spot in your apartment, or they just love your laptop keyboard! In winter, a radiator can be a great, warm and cozy option.
When it comes to safety, many cats like to sleep in closed rooms or beds because they feel protected there. Igloo beds or cardboard boxes filled with cozy blankets are good options. Scratching posts provide another place to sleep where your cat feels safe. Because she can snooze high up, she's aware of her surroundings while she's napping.
Every cat is different and this is intended to be just a small informative article on why cats sleep so much. If you're concerned about your cat because their sleeping habits have changed or they're sleeping more than usual, it's always a good idea to speak to your vet about it.
So why do cats sleep so much?
There is a simple answer to this question and that is evolution. Our house cats have simple lives of snoozing and nibbling, so it's easy to forget what they would be doing in the wild.
Cats have evolved to hunt for food. That's why they sleep so much to conserve their energy when they need to go out foraging. Even if today's cats are served their dinner in a bowl and no longer have to hunt, their natural hunting instinct remains - and with it the energy they need.
How many hours do cats sleep a day?
The average cat sleeps around 15-16 hours a day, but research shows cats can sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Your cat's age has something to do with how often it sleeps: kittens need more sleep and will snooze most of the day. A growing cat that uses a lot of energy needs less rest. As a cat gets older, it tends to sleep more - so an older cat may spend most of the day snoozing in a comfortable spot.
And what about cat abductions?
We've all heard the term "cat nap," and that's how our cats sleep! They sleep a little differently than we humans do. Instead of lying down for eight hours of sleep, our cats sleep in short bursts throughout the day. That's another evolutionary advantage: these little naps keep cats always ready to react to their surroundings.
When do cats sleep?
While the answer may seem like "always," there is actually a pattern to their snoozing. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
This is not quite the same as being nocturnal. Cats have evolved to use these dark times to hunt prey while resting during the darkest hours of the night - unlike nocturnal animals.
Where do cats prefer to sleep?
Your cats might sleep just about anywhere at home, but there are a few things cats look for when it comes to a cozy place to sleep: comfort, warmth, and safety.
Convenience goes without saying, for humans and cats alike! Warmth is also something that cat lovers don't want to be without: you may have seen them napping in a sunny spot in your apartment, or they just love your laptop keyboard! In winter, a radiator can be a great, warm and cozy option.
When it comes to safety, many cats like to sleep in closed rooms or beds because they feel protected there. Igloo beds or cardboard boxes filled with cozy blankets are good options. Scratching posts provide another place to sleep where your cat feels safe. Because she can snooze high up, she's aware of her surroundings while she's napping.
Every cat is different and this is intended to be just a small informative article on why cats sleep so much. If you're concerned about your cat because their sleeping habits have changed or they're sleeping more than usual, it's always a good idea to speak to your vet about it.
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