Cats are curious in nature and are known for their intense focus and playful antics that can leave us in stitches. Whether they’re stealthily pouncing on unsuspecting feet, squeezing into impossibly small boxes, or rearranging household items with their paws, these moments showcase their agility and intelligence. It’s no wonder that cat lovers are enchanted by their quirky behaviours, which often feel like a blend of comedy and artistry. However, this lively persona takes a dramatic turn when cats transition from playful to peaceful, often collapsing into a deep sleep that seems to defy the laws of physics as they settle into their chosen resting spots.
This remarkable ability to sleep for long periods, usually 16 to 20 hours a day, has important biological functions. Being natural predators, their sleep pattern is designed to preserve energy for hunting. Even when they plunge into a deep sleep, they undergo essential Rapid Eye Movement(REM) sleep, which is important for cognitive processing and general health. By understanding why cats sleep and recognizing when to be concerned about changes in their sleeping habits, we can ensure our furry companions remain happy and healthy while enjoying their quirky antics.
It’s clear that sleep is a very important part of a cat’s world and how long and why a cat sleeps. But many cat owners may still wonder why do cats sleep so much. And exactly how many hours a day cat sleep is normal? As hours pass, you may find yourself worrying that your cat is sleeping too much. In this blog, we will explore the world of cat sleep, and hopefully get some answers about what’s normal in the world of cat sleep, and what’s not.
How Much Should a Cat Sleep?
According to the vets at Woof Pur Nay Veterinary Hospital, adult cats need to sleep from 16 – 20 hours a day, with kittens needing 22 or more hours a day and senior cats also needing more sleep than younger cats. So, in reality, it’s actually normal for your cat to only be awake 4 hours of the day! Imagine if we humans lived like that. We’d get absolutely nothing done! Society would collapse! The sale of beds would go through the roof! So why do cats sleep so much, and what exactly do they pack into that 4 hours of awake time?
In the wild, those 4 hours would be spent using up a lot of energy hunting down their food. The life of a predator isn’t easy, and requires a lot of focus, speed and strength. To be in the best shape to hunt for their food, a long snoozing time is required to allow cats to rest and recover and conserve their energy.
But these days, even though our cats only need to drag themselves to the food bowl for their sustenance, the instinct to sleep and prepare for the hunt is still strong because it is the result of thousands of years of evolution. Therefore, sleep is an intrinsic part of cat behaviour that persists regardless of the necessity of the cat’s current environment. And while they don’t have to hunt, they still have that toe pouncing and sorting through your ugly shelf decor items tasks on their to-do lists, and let’s face it, this can be quite taxing work.
How much should a kitten sleep?
Just like human babies, kittens must undergo a period of intense growth when they are born, and sleep is essential to this process. As kittens progress from newborns to adult cats, their sleeping patterns and requirements undergo some changes.
| Kitten sleeping habits by age | ||
| Newborn | 22 – 24 hours | Waking only briefly to eat. |
| 2 weeks – 3 months | 22 hours | Short bursts of energy between meals. |
| 3 months – 6 months | 18-20 hours | Often really energetic at night time |
| 6 months – adult | 15 – 20 hours | Most active during sunrise and sunset. |
Reference
Common Reasons Why Cats Sleep So Much
Cat’s sleeping habits have evolved over centuries and are fine-tuned to their predatory survival requirements. But why do house cats sleep so much when they don’t actually have to do all that hunting stuff their ancestors used to do?
While conserving energy for hunting may have been the catalyst for cat sleeping habits, animal behaviours will also usually serve more than one function in a cat’s life. A cat sleeps because:
They’re Growing – kittens sleep most of the day as it is vital for the process of growth and brain development.
They’re sick – like growth, sleep plays a vital role in helping the body and mind recover from disease or injury. If your cat is unwell, you should expect they may have a greater need for sleep.
They’re physically active – Cats are naturally active hunters, often engaging in playful behaviors that mimic their instincts. Whether they’re pouncing on the tail of your coat or chasing after a toy, these activities require significant energy and focus. To restore their energy for these bursts of activity, cats need ample sleep throughout the day.
They’re just resting – closed eyes don’t always mean deep sleep. Sometimes, cats just doze or lightly snooze, and this can simply be for enjoyment.
They’re bored – if your cat is under-stimulated or lacks companionship and interaction, they may be bored, and will use sleep as a means of filling in those hours. If sleep is accompanied by problematic behaviours such as destruction, overgrooming and excessive vocalisation, you may need to provide more stimulation for your cat.
They’re stressed or anxious – if your cat’s environment has undergone some big changes, like moving house, or having a new person move in, this can cause stress and anxiety for these routine loving creatures. Excess sleep can be a way of regulating their mood and coping with the changes. If the stress or anxiety persist well past the change, however, it may indicate a deeper problem and this should be investigated.
They’re cold – cats have evolved from hot desert environments, and so they are adapted for heat rather than cold. Subsequently, you may find your cat snoozing more during those winter months to maintain their naturally high body temperatures.
They’re hot – even hot blooded creatures can get sleepy in the heat! Naturally, on hot days your cat might find that snoozing helps prevent overheating which can lead to dehydration.
They’re active while you are sleeping – it’s the middle of the day, and your cat has been curled up on the sofa since you got up and had your morning coffee. But remember, your cat is very likely on a different sleep clock to you, and while you were snoozing the night away, your cat was wide awake and having adventures, and now they are having a well-deserved slumber.
They’re old – old cats, like old people, don’t always have the same up and go as their younger selves. As your cat ages it’s natural that they will need to spend more time sleeping in order to cope with the stress of the day’s physical demands on their weakening bodies.
When should I be concerned
While it’s normal for cats to spend a lot of time sleeping if you are still wondering how many hours a day a house cat sleeps, then maybe you have noticed a change in your cat’s sleeping habits that are making you concerned. If a cat begins sleeping a lot more than usual, then it is probably a good idea for a vet visit as it could indicate an underlying disease or medical issue. To determine if your cat’s sleeping habits indicate a problem, it’s not really about a magic number of hours that they should or shouldn’t sleep. As each cat is different, recognising potential underlying issues is more about understanding what is normal for your cat and then observing when there is a significant change in their usual habits and routines.
How to Create the Ideal Sleep Environment for Your Cat
Sleeping is so natural and so instinctual for cats that sleeping long hours is rarely indicative of an underlying issue. In fact, it’s probably more likely that not having enough sleep will have a more detrimental effect on your cat. So, if you want to do the best for your sleepy, feline friend, then creating a great sleeping environment is an important part of keeping your cat energetic, healthy, happy, and above all, anxiety and stress-free. So, what can we do to help our cats get the best out of their sleep?
The Right Cat Bed – there are many options available, and the one you choose is the one your cat prefers the most. If you live in a cold environment, and your cat will be home alone when the house isn’t being heated, a heated bed may be really useful. If your cat is the nervous type, they may appreciate a covered soft bed where they can feel safe.
Think about the location – usually a cat will prefer a quiet place where they feel safe. This may be a bed placed in a high position, such as on top of a wardrobe, or it may be in their favourite person’s room. You want to make sure the bed is also placed in a warm place free of cold draughts, or a spot that isn’t so sunny that your cat may be sunburned or overheat.
Let Lying Cats sleep – although it’s tempting to entice them in a bit of play or give them a cuddle, a kitten should not be disturbed when sleeping as it may interfere with their healthy growth and cause stress. Adult cats usually tolerate a bit more disturbance to their sleep and will walk away and find another place if they feel the need to go back to sleep. It is still important, however, to respect an adult cat’s sleep, especially when they are in the deep sleeping part of their cycle.
Setup Routines – having playtime routines and feeding routines can be beneficial for both cats and owners, as cats will be able to fit in their sleep around these times. Routines mean that cats know when it’s time to relax and catch some zees, and when it’s time to have a bit stretch and get some quality play time in with their favourite humans.
Tips to Keep Your Cat Active and Engaged
The whole point to those long hours of sleep is so cat’s are able to dedicate all their energy into exercising their amazing minds and bodies! Cat’s need mental stimulation and exercise in order to be healthy and happy, so factoring in some good engaging, enriching activity time is just as important as letting your dozy cat sleep.
Providing them with toys, scratching mats, and climbing ramps is a great way to allow them to follow their innate instincts and drives. Spending time with your cat playing and enjoying some affectionate pats and cuddles is also super important.
But if you really want to get those feline minds and bodies pumped, then time outdoors is a great natural way of providing sensory and physical enrichment! Sunshine, sounds, insects, fresh air, tumbling leaves – cats love being in the great outdoors. However, as outside cats are more at risk of injury, getting hit by cars, catching infectious diseases, or getting into harmful fights, having a protected outdoor area, such as a netted cat enclosure, is the best way to provide all the benefits of outdoor living, without any of the risks of free-roaming.
Conclusion
So, why do cats sleep so much? Because they can! It is perfectly normal for healthy adult cats to sleep from 16 – 20 hours a day, and as they tend to be at their most active at the times we humans are often asleep, you may not realise exactly how much awake time they get. If your cat sleeps most of the day away, with only occasional movements from one couch spot to another, you may think they are sleeping too much, but in fact, this is perfectly normal. Getting to know your cat’s routines and then observing if there has been a big change in that routine or the number of hours they have slept is the best way of determining whether your cat’s sleeping is a problem or just a normal part of their day. By understanding their routines, you can better cater to their needs during their awake hours.
Not to forget as cats are often most active while we are asleep, so it’s important to provide enrichment for their physical and mental well-being. Solutions like outdoor cat enclosures with enrichments allow them to safely explore and engage with their environment, particularly during dawn and dusk when their energy peaks. If you’re looking for a reliable cat netting enclosure installer in Perth, Kittysafe can help. At Kittysafe, we offer premium cat netting along with a 12-month warranty on workmanship and a 5-year guarantee against Perth’s UV rays.
Is it ok if my cat sleeps all day?
Yes! Cat’s are often active during the night and early evening so day sleeping is perfectly normal. If you notice changes in your cat’s normal sleeping routine, however, you might want to check with your vet.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Sleeping Too Much?
Firstly you need to understand what is normal for your cat before determining if they are sleeping too much. Although sleeping long hours is normal for a cat, sleeping too much can indicate poor health and should be investigated by a vet, especially if combined with lethargy or decreased activity.
Why Does My Cat Sleep in Strange Places?
What’s strange for you may be perfect for your cat! Cat’s will sleep where they feel safe, warm and won’t be disturbed. Being inside something, or up high, or away from draughts will be your cat’s preferred sleep locations.
How many hours a day do indoor cats sleep?
Adult cat’s will sleep anywhere from 16 – 20 hours a day, kittens will sleep much longer than this, and senior cats may sleep closer to the 20 hour a day mark.
Do domesticated cats sleep more than Wild Cats?
As sleeping requirements are set biologically, both wild cats and domestic cats will sleep the same amount of time. Wild cats will find places to sleep where they feel safe and won’t be disturbed.
Are cats ever fully asleep?
Yes, but most of the time they are in light sleep. It’s estimated that 75% of their sleep time is light sleep, and this is so that they are ready to spring into action if there is any danger around.
Is my cat bored sleeping all day?
No, cat’s love and need to sleep. To prevent cat boredom, engage them in some playful interaction and encourage physical activity in those moments when they are awake and ready for action.
Why Does My Cat Sleep During the Day and Stay Awake at Night?
Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active at sunrise and sunset – the perfect times for hunting prey! Cat’s sleep much of the day and night, but they can wake up for short periods of time, and during early adolescence they may even be quite active in those moments.
