As surely as cats love cardboard boxes and knocking our keys off the coffee table, we can safely say that cats also love sleeping. In fact, cats love sleeping a lot. They seem to spend so much time asleep it’s a surprise they ever manage anything else!
But if you’ve ever found your cats sleeping on your bed, curled up in a patch of sun, or even stretched out on top of you, you might wonder to yourself—is my cat sleeping too much? Well, understanding feline sleeping patterns can help you determine whether your kitty’s sleep habits are normal or if there’s something more to investigate. Read on to learn more.
Cats are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. This behaviour stems from their wild ancestors, the African wildcat, who would hunt small prey during these hours. Hunting takes a lot of energy, and even though our domestic cats no longer need to chase down their dinner, they still have this instinct to conserve energy between these bursts of activity.
On average, cats sleep around 15 hours a day, though some may snooze for only 12 while others could be napping for up to 20 hours. We say only 12, though this is still considerably more than the average 8 hours of sleep that we humans get!
Even more unlike humans, who have a diurnal sleep pattern (awake during the day and asleep at night), cats follow a polyphasic sleep pattern. This means they take multiple short naps throughout the day—hence the term cat nap!
As cats grow and age, their sleep patterns naturally shift to accommodate their changing energy levels, physical needs, and overall well-being. Understanding these stages can help you ensure your cat is getting the rest they need at every stage of life, and answer the question—is my cat sleeping too much?
Of course, it’s important to remember that each cat is unique—some cats may naturally sleep for longer than others, and vice versa. Your cat may also adapt their sleep to fit your schedule, often napping when the house is quiet and becoming active when you are. This could explain why your cat sleeps on you, seeking warmth and security in your presence!
A well-rested cat will wake up alert, active, and engaged with their surroundings. You may notice your cat lightly napping with their ears twitching at sudden noises, which means they are in a slight sleep and ready to spring into action if needed. During deep sleep, cats may curl up tightly or twitch, which could indicate they’re dreaming.
To learn more about the different shapes our napping cats adopt, check out our previous blog on cat sleeping positions.
While it’s normal for cats to sleep a lot, excessive sleeping or drastic changes in their sleep habits could indicate a problem. Ask yourself:
If the answer to any of these is yes, it’s best to take your cat to the vet for a check-up in case of any underlying health issues.
It’s also possible that something around the home may be causing your cat stress, so think about other ways you can also help. Plugging in a FELIWAY Optimum diffuser can be an effective way to restore harmony in the home, especially if your cat is showing other stress-related symptoms such as urine marking or scratching furniture.
Many cat parents experience the challenge of a cat that wakes them up at night, especially if their cat is sleeping all day and becomes more active when the household settles down. Since cats are naturally more active in the early morning and evening, here are some ways to encourage restful sleep:
Seeing your cat sleeping all day—whether sleeping on the bed, on you, or even in a cardboard box—is a perfectly normal behaviour. However, it’s always worth monitoring their habits. Knowing what ‘normal’ sleep is for your cat will help you to notice if your cat is sleeping a lot more or less than usual. Providing enough stimulation and a comfortable sleeping environment are all ways we can support our cats in their overall well-being and happiness!
For more insights into cats and their behaviour, why not explore our other articles online? And while you’re there, don’t forget you can sign up for our newsletter to receive all our latest guides and advice straight into your inbox!