- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Cats are famous for how much they like to snooze, but how much do they really sleep? On average, cats sleep for 15 to 20 hours each day.
Cats’ sleep patterns are a bit different from ours. They often take short naps throughout the day instead of sleeping for one long period like people do. Also, cats are most active early in the morning and late in the evening, and they rest during the day and night.
If your cat suddenly changes how they sleep or starts sleeping more than 20 hours a day, talk to your vet to make sure everything is okay.
Knowing about our cats’ special sleep habits and what healthy sleep looks like is important for taking great care of them. Let’s find out why cats sleep so much and what affects their sleep!
Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?
Cats are expert sleepers. This trait is rooted in their genetic makeup, survival instincts, and modern-day lifestyles. Here are seven reasons for all the cute cat naps.
1. They’re crepuscular
Cats are not nocturnal but rather crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk.
“A cat’s sleep-wake cycles center around when they are most likely to successfully hunt and catch prey,” explains Joey Lusvardi, a certified cat behavior consultant and the founder of Class Act Cats.
Cats have adapted their sleep schedule to align with the times when prey such as mice and birds are most active. Between these twilight hunts, Lusvardi says cats conserve energy to be better prepared for times when food is readily available.
2. They have a unique sleep pattern
Not all sleep is deep when it comes to your cat’s snoozing.
Unlike humans, who are mostly active during the day, cats are polyphasic sleepers and take many short cat naps throughout the day. Since their naps only last about 15-20 minutes per cycle, their periods of deep REM sleep are much shorter, typically around five minutes.
This unique sleep pattern is due to our cats’ roles as predators and prey. Staying in a light sleep mode allows cats to remain alert at all times.
3. They’re recovering energy
“In the wild, cats are predators that require bursts of energy to hunt,” says Albert Colominas, cat trainer, behaviorist, and founder of Outdoor Bengal.
Your cat might not hunt more than their toy mouse these days, but all that stalking, pouncing, and chasing is a lot of work! Your kitty needs sleep to replenish their energy for such high-intensity activities.
4. They need more sleep as they age
Kittens and seniors tend to sleep more than adult cats. Lusvardi explains that kittens require extra sleep because they are still growing.
Meanwhile, as cats age, they tend to develop a calm demeanor—playing less, cuddling more, and taking lots of naps.
5. They’re cooling down
The modern house cat descended from desert ancestors. To thrive in the hot, arid environment, these wild cats needed a way to cool down and regulate their body temperature during the day.
Scientists say sleeping does just the trick for cooling our kitties’ body and brain temperatures.
6. They’re bored
Your indoor cat might be sleeping if they’re bored. Enriching your cat’s environment will keep them from sleeping too much.
Think cat trees, window perches, and engaging toys. Some other signs your cat is bored might include:
- Excessive vocalization like yowling, meowing, or night calling
- Lack of interest
- Anxious behavior
- Overeating
- Getting into mischief
- Behavioral issues with other pets
7. They sleep more in winter
Sometimes, cats sleep more in the winter or summer months.
“In cold weather, cats might sleep more to stay warm, and in hot weather, they might nap to avoid the heat,” Colominas explains.
What Affects How Long Cats Sleep?
Many things can affect how long and how well a cat sleeps. These include what they eat, their health, where they live, and how stressed they are.
Diet and nutrition
Lusvardi says that cats might sleep more if they aren’t getting enough nutrients from their food.
On the other hand, Colominas says a well-fed cat on a balanced diet will usually sleep regularly.
Your cat’s feeding schedule also plays a role. “Cats are really good at picking up on patterns and will usually sleep more when we’re not as likely to interact with or feed them,” Lusvardi adds.
Health and medical conditions
Cats often sleep more when they don’t feel well. Colominas says that sick or hurt kitties sleep more to help their bodies heal.
Some long-lasting health problems that can make it hard for a cat to snooze well include:
- Arthritis: Cats with arthritis might not move around much and sleep more because it hurts to move. If they’re in pain, they might be awake all night, unable to get comfortable.
- Hyperthyroidism: Colominas says this health problem can make cats restless and keep them from sleeping well.
- Kidney disease: Cats with kidney disease may wake up frequently to drink water or use the litter box.
- Diabetes: Like kidney disease, diabetes can make cats very thirsty and mess up their sleep.
- Overweight or obese cats: Eating too much and carrying extra weight can make cats feel tired and less active, so they sleep more.
- Feline Cognitive Dysfunction: In older cats, having trouble sleeping or calming down at night could be a sign of memory and thinking problems.
If you’re not home to monitor a change in sleeping habits, get a pet camera to keep an eye on your kitty.
Environmental factors
Just like people, cats like a quiet and cozy place to sleep. Giving your cat a calm, comfy, and safe spot helps them get the sleep they need.
You can give your cat a special place to relax and feel safe with a comfy bed in a quiet spot. If your cat gets cold, you can try using a heated bed to make them feel even more comfortable.
Stress and anxiety levels
Stress can make your cat feel very tired, so they might sleep more when they’re stressed.
Lusvardi says that sometimes cats act like they’re sleeping when they’re nervous or scared. “Sometimes, when cats are worried about something, they’ll pretend to sleep until they decide what to do next.” This can make cat parents think their kitty is relaxed when they’re actually stressed.
If you think your cat is stressed, there are ways to help them. Giving them fun things to do and playing with them are good ways to start.
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When Does Too Much Sleep Mean Something’s Wrong?
Lusvardi tells us that even though cats need different amounts of sleep, too much could mean something is wrong.
Our experts also say it’s important to watch for changes in how your cat sleeps. Talk to your vet is a good idea if your cat sleeps all day or in strange places.
How To Improve Your Cat’s Sleep
A cat-friendly environment and proper enrichment can help prepare your cat for a restful sleep.
- Set up a cozy space. Cats like a quiet, peaceful spot where they can snooze uninterrupted. “Some cats may prefer covered spots to rest while others may prefer someplace that is up high and open,” Lusvardi says. Keep these locations separate from litter boxes or feeding stations.
- Increase physical activity. Colominas recommends that your cat get plenty of exercise and play during the day. Interactive toys, laser pointers, cat wands, and even exercise wheels can help.
- Provide mental stimulation. Similarly, your cat’s brain needs a daily workout. Colominas recommends activities that challenge your cat’s mind, like puzzle toys or clicker training sessions.
- Satisfy your cat’s prey drive. Cats are inclined to rest after a predation cycle (hunt, kill, eat). Try playing with them before bed, followed by a small snack.
- Ask your vet about supplements. In some cases, sleep aids like melatonin can help. However, Lusvardi cautions against supplements containing valerian root. This plant has chemicals similar to catnip, so it may energize some cats rather than help them.