Raising cats is not just a hobby for cat lovers; it is a deep connection between humans and nature, people who love and care for cats tend to have sensitive, unique personalities and a refined outlook on life, they are not ordinary people, rather, they possess a heightened sense of awareness, are full of life, and radiate positive emotions, a cat owner knows every little detail about their pet and notices any changes that occur.
One day, you might observe that your cat is sleeping a lot, not eating, or playing, but just sleeping all the time, wherever you look for her, she is either asleep or drowsy and heading to sleep, this might leave you confused and wondering about your cat's excessive sleep, in this article, we will explore the reasons behind your cat's frequent sleeping and when you should be concerned about it.
Reasons why cats sleep a lot
Cats sleep excessively because they store up energy for hunting and chasing prey, such as mice, when a cat wakes up, it engages in high-energy activities like running, jumping, and climbing walls or trees. This requires long periods of rest to recharge, therefore, sleeping for many hours a day is normal for cats, however, the number of sleeping hours varies depending on the cat’s age:
Kittens
sleep for about 20 hours a day out of 24 hours, waking up only to eat before returning to sleep.
Sdult cats
Sleep between 12 to 18 hours daily, with intermittent periods of play, jumping, and chasing.
Senior cats
Tend to sleep even more than adult cats, usually between 15 to 20 hours a day, this is because they need extra energy for movement, hunting, and general activity as they tire more easily.
When should you be concerned about your cat's sleep?
Now that you understand your cat’s sleep patterns and the reasons behind their need for extended rest, it is important to be aware of any changes, if you notice that your cat is sleeping much more or much less than usual, along with signs like loss of appetite or weight loss, this could indicate a health issue, in such cases, it is advisable to track your cat’s sleeping hours and any additional symptoms, then take her to a veterinarian for a thorough examination.
My cat sleeps a lot and doesn't eat is this normal?
As mentioned earlier, it is natural for cats to sleep for long hours, however, when it comes to food, cats are known to be picky eaters, they prefer clean, fresh food and will refuse to eat anything stale or with a bad smell, if your cat suddenly starts avoiding food and skipping multiple meals a day, it may be a sign of an underlying health problem, your cat could have something stuck in its stomach or be suffering from an infection that has reduced its appetite, in such cases, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary for a proper diagnosis.
Is my cat really sleeping?
When you see your cat sleeping for extended periods, you might wonder whether she is actually in deep sleep, the answer is that a cat's sleep is divided into two phases: light sleep, and deep sleep, interestingly, three quarters of a cat’s total sleep time is spent in light sleep, while only one quarter is deep sleep.
During the light sleep phase, cats remain semi alert, you may notice their ears twitching and their eyes slightly open, allowing them to stay aware of potential dangers and react quickly if needed.
Why does my cat sleep next to me?
Your cat sleeps beside you for several reasons, the most important being that she feels safe and secure with you, cats seek a trustworthy source of protection, and no one provides this better than their owner, when sleeping next to you, your cat is likely in a deep, peaceful sleep.
Additionally, you may notice that your cat prefers to sleep beside you more often in winter, this is because she is looking for warmth, and your body provides a natural source of heat, you might even find your cat trying to cuddle with you, as your warmth makes her feel relaxed and comfortable.
Do cats prefer light or darkness?
Cats can see well in dimly lit environments and partially dark places, however, their favorite time of the day is twilight, meaning during sunrise and sunset, you will often find cats awake and active at these times, as most humans are still asleep, and the environment is calm.
Although cats have an excellent ability to see in low-light conditions, they cannot see in complete darkness.
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