Science explains why cats sleep so much
No, your cat isn’t broken. It’s not a fault, it’s a feature!
Let’s be honest, your cat probably has a better life than you do. They don’t have to worry about food, shelter or attention. And they can nap as often and as long as they want. But maybe they overdo it? If you ever thought that, don’t worry, I’ll tell you why that’s perfectly normal.
What may seem like a lot of sleeping to us, is actually a normal amount for cats. Although every cat is different, on average, adult cats sleep between 12 and 15 hours per day, with young kittens averaging 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day. But they don’t do it all in one session, like we do. Cats prefer to spread their sleep throughout the day into short naps, something that feline predators have in common.
Ok, so what’s the explanation?
A lot of it has to do with their predator ancestry. Feline predators who live in the wild also sleep a lot in order to store energy that can be released in short but high intesity bursts that will enable them to catch their prey. Lions, for example, sleep most of the day in several short naps, so they can be ready for when opportunity arises and prey comes into sight.
Also like their wild cousins, cats don’t sleep very deeply, keeping their senses active so they can spring into action if they hear, smell or feel something that could peak their interest.
Are cats nocturnal animals?
No, but that’s a very common misconception about cats. Felines are twilight or crepuscular animals, they are most active at sunrise and sunset because their supposed prey is weakest in these times.
Is there such a thing as too much sleep for a cat?
Although it’s normal for cats to sleep a lot, there is such a thing as too much sleep. Older cats with certain health problems tend to sleep longer than usual, and some cats can sleep too much when they are bored, sad or upset with something in their life. Having your cat checked by a vet regularly can prevent these problems and ensure your pet lives life to the fullest.
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Meow-gnificently yours,
Jules 🎩🐾
