In gloomy autumn weather, leaving for work, you look with envy at your cat, who sleeps sweetly, stretched out on your bed, and imagine yourself in a wrong place. And, if you are a happy owner of a representative of the feline family, then you probably wondered: why does my cat sleep so much, and is it normal? In order not to cat breed intrigue, we will answer right away - yes, this is normal, cats sleep on average from 12 to 16 hours a day.
Cats sleep a lot, sleep long, long hours to restore their energy. But you may notice that a cat's sleep pattern is a little ... different from that of a human. Cats sleep an average of 15 hours a day and can sleep up to 20 hours in 24 hours. However, no two felines are the same, and age and individual temperament can often influence how long they sleep. Except for possums and bats, no other animal sleeps more than cats.
Why do cats sleep so much?
The cat's motto is: eat, get, love ... and sleep. Cats are crepuscular animals that sleep during the day and are mostly awake at dusk and dawn, like lions and other cats.
In the wild, cats are accustomed to sleeping for long hours to build up the strength to hunt for prey. The instincts of domestic cats have not changed much compared to their wild counterparts, but since domestic cats have a reliable food source, they may appear to remain in deep sleep for unnecessarily long periods of time.
Are cats nocturnal?
No, it is not! Many people are mistaken about this, but cats are crepuscular animals, not nocturnal. Unlike nocturnal animals that sleep during the day and stay awake at night, cats are active at dusk and dawn and close their eyes for long periods of time in between to conserve energy. Fun fact: this is where the term cat dream came from!
Can my cat sleep too much?
Not really. Cats tend to sleep a lot, but if your cat exhibits lethargic behavior, that's a different matter. If you see that your pet is less energetic than usual and is not interested in her usual routine, including games, food, or treats, then you need to show her to the veterinarian. This is the abnormal behavior of the cat.
Do older cats sleep more?
Older cats usually sleep more than their younger counterparts. Sometimes they sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. Their sleep also tends to be deeper. It is very important to accommodate your older cat as other changes will occur with age, including decreased energy and decreased mobility. Make sure to visit your veterinarian regularly and provide easy access to food, water, litter box, and anything else your cat may need to keep it comfortable as it gets older.
What cats consume affects their sleep. Unlike large herbivores, cats do not graze and therefore do not need to spend a lot of time feeding to feed their bodies. Cats eat a lot of protein, which allows them to often sleep long and leisurely. Cats in nature need hunting to support themselves. Hunting is a physically grueling task and cats save precious energy by sleeping a lot when they are not hunting.
Optimal sleeping environment
Cats value a quiet, safe, dry, and warm sleeping environment. Because of this, they can often be seen sleeping in bedrooms. They don't like sleeping in drafts. In adult cats, there are usually three to four preferred places to sleep in their homes. Choosing a place to sleep may vary by time. They also often change the place to sleep, it seems to us, just like that.
Because older cats often have arthritis or decreased muscle tone, they usually prefer soft bedding on a harder surface.
Do dogs sleep as much as cats?
No, not really. But you might be surprised to find out how much dogs actually sleep! On average, dogs sleep about 12-14 hours a day. Which is not that far from the 15 hours that their feline friends sleep on average! On the other hand, puppies spend most of their energy playing, learning, and growing, so they need an average of 18-20 hours of sleep per day.
Conclusion
Although your cat may sleep a lot, this behavior is quite normal. In fact, it's just part of the cat! Cats are crepuscular animals that sleep to conserve energy for hunting. This sleep pattern is inherited from the wild hunting instinct seen in lions, tigers, and other large cats found in nature, and is still present in domestic cats. So, while it might seem like your cat is just a little lazy nap, your pet can't help it. Relax her and let her take a nap! if you don't have information about cat breeds for beginners check this.
For More information about pets click here
Comments
Post a Comment