Sleeping the Day Away

We have all found ourselves envious of a sleeping cat. They seem to have no cares in the world, and spend all day dozing and dreaming. I’ll be the first to say that sleeping in and taking naps is something I’ll do on occasion, but it can’t be every day! Meanwhile, cats seem to be sleeping their nine lives away… but why?

Natural Nighttime Cycles
We’ve mentioned before that cats are crepuscular, meaning they’re active from dusk to dawn, but are not fully nocturnal. (Although they sure seem nocturnal when they race through the house at 2 am!) We have all watched wildlife documentaries where the lions lay in the trees all day, flopped over the limbs, or lazily strolling around. Then when night time comes, the activity and hunting begins. Whether big cats or our sweet rescues, all cats have the same genetic background, so their routine and habits don’t change much. All of the hunting, jumping, running, stalking, and zoomies takes up alot of energy, and so all cats need a big rest and recharge throughout the day.

Types of Sleep
On average, a cat sleeps 16-20 hours a day, between a mix of light naps to full, deep slumber. Their dozing type of nap is light enough that they will hear noises, and can wake up to react quickly to changes in their surroundings. These naps are balanced by the cats’ deep sleep cycles, lasting around 30 minutes, where they dream and feel more fully recharged (similar to our REM cycles). This deep sleep was when my cat Maddie used to snore, which is not unusual for cats, especially if they have a short nose.

Impacts of Age
Similar to humans, the younger or older the cat is, the more sleep they require. Kittens require the most sleep since they are growing, but they certainly make up for it in the hours they are awake, by zooming around and causing chaos! Senior cats are a close second to kittens in their sleep needs, but typically without as much chaotic energy in their waking hours. If you start to notice that your cat is suddenly sleeping an unusual amount, talk to your veterinarian because it may indicate a health concern, especially if they’re not a kitten or senior.

Naptime Indicators
Who doesn’t love to nap on a rainy day? Weather affects cats’ sleep cycles, too, and signals them to take it easy when the rain, snow, or cold weather is around. Indoor cats sleep far more than outdoor cats, since outdoor cats need to be more active, but any cat will hunker down for an extra snooze in inclement weather. Once it’s warm and sunny, you’ll notice your cats choosing their naps in their sun, but overall having more spunk and energy!

You may also notice their sleep habits come after a meal. For example, breakfast loads them up on a protein-rich diet, which cats require, but takes longer to digest. And they sleep while that happens!

There really is something calming about a sleeping cat that we can’t get enough of. We love their crazy antics, but snoozing the day away is really cute to watch, too.
(Today's photo feature adorable, comfy friend Sara!)