How Much Sleep Is Normal for Cats? A Guide for Pet Owners

As every seasoned cat parent knows, cats sleep a lot. Chances are your furry feline is presently snoozing. Cats sleep so much that many new parents become concerned! However, in most cases, it is completely normal for cats to sleep the entire day away. The primary reason cats tend to slumber throughout the day is the result of instinct. In the wild, cats sleep to conserve energy for the hunt. The long hours of rest allow them to build energy reserves that are useful when pursuing prey. So why do domesticated house cats with automatic feeding stations require so much sleep? Continue reading to unravel the mystery.  

How Much Sleep Is Normal for Cats? 

Adult humans need between 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day. However, you cannot use this criterion to judge your cat’s sleeping habits. Your furry friend needs a lot more sleep than you do. While the reports vary, experts agree that it is normal for domesticated house cats to sleep from 12 to 20 hours daily. Senior cats sleep more than younger cats. Felines don’t sleep for long stretches. They rest and sleep between bursts of activity, hence the idiom cat nap, which means to take a short nap during the day. Cumulatively, cats may get 20 hours of sleep per day, which is within the realm of normal.  

Blame Evolution 

Cats require a lot more sleep than their humans, thanks to their evolution and biology. In most cases, your cat sleeping a lot is normal. However, there are also instances where your pet’s sleeping habits indicate that something might be wrong. Felines are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. This is when their ancient parents used to hunt for food. But house cats don’t need to hunt for food anymore. Most domesticated cats will adopt a schedule similar to that of their human family. They sleep at night and hang out with their people during the day. However, most cats still maintain remnants of their ancient roots, sleeping during the day, allowing them to stay sharp and active in the twilight. 

Energy Conservation

Cats are natural predators, which means they have evolved to hunt prey. In the wild, predators rest throughout the day which allows them to conserve energy for hunting. Many house cats maintain this sleep/hunt cycle. They may not need to hunt to survive anymore, but our furballs need to conserve energy for short bursts of play and activity, like stalking a favorite toy.

It Isn’t Really Sleeping 

To you, it may seem like your fur baby is sleeping when it’s simply resting its eyes. In every other sense, your cat remains alert and ready to pounce. Cats do this sometimes. They may rest for a while with their eyes partially closed or even fully closed, but say their name and watch their ears twitch! Their ability to remain alert and aware while in a relaxed state is an instinctual survival strategy, a gift from their wild ancestors.  

Boredom

Even humans tend to sleep more when they have nothing to do. The same applies to cats. If they’re bored, they’ll most likely sleep more. Mental and physical activities will keep the boredom at bay. Though cats are naturally inclined to sleep, if they are offered interesting alternatives, they are likely to sleep less. Scratching posts, climbing towers, interactive toys, and sunny window perches exercise your kitty’s brain and body.  

Stress and Anxiety 

Cats use sleep as a coping mechanism when they feel stressed or scared. If your cat has a habit of hiding away or not engaging with members of the family, it could be stressed or anxious. If you notice signs of stress and anxiety, you should speak to your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist. Professionals will determine the underlying cause of the stress and make suggestions for alleviating it. In some cases, medication may be prescribed. Identifying and eliminating your cat’s stressors allows them a happier and more active life. 

Illness, Age, and Weight

Though cats do sleep a lot, some instances indicate that something is indeed wrong with your pet. When your cat is sick or in pain, it will most likely sleep more than usual. If your cat uncharacteristically starts hiding, it may be in pain or feeling ill.  As cats age (from 11 years and up), they will become less active and sleep more than when they were young.

Overweight cats may also be less active, which could explain why they’re overweight. Obesity in cats makes it difficult for them to move around. Heavier cats tend to suffer from diseases which only add to their inactivity. Be proactive by monitoring your cat’s diet and providing it with toys that encourage activity.