If you share your home with a cat, you’ve probably noticed that your feline friend spends a lot of time sleeping. In fact, it may sometimes seem like your cat has two hobbies: eating and sleeping.
So, why do cats sleep so much? And are cats nocturnal, or do they simply seem that way when they’re racing around the house at 2 a.m.?
The good news is that plenty of cat sleeping is completely normal. Cats naturally sleep for many hours each day, usually in a series of naps rather than one long stretch. Their sleep habits are closely connected to their instincts as hunters, their age, their environment, and their individual personality.
Understanding normal cat sleep can help you recognize when your pet is simply enjoying a nap, and when a change in sleeping habits may warrant a conversation with your veterinarian.
How Many Hours a Day Do Cats Sleep?
So, how many hours a day do cats sleep? Most healthy adult cats sleep approximately 12 to 16 hours per day, although some cats may sleep longer. Kittens and senior cats can spend even more time sleeping.
That may sound excessive to a human who needs considerably less sleep, but it's perfectly normal for cats.
Cats don't typically sleep for 12 to 16 hours straight, either. Instead, they sleep in multiple periods throughout the day and night. Your cat may snooze for a while, wake up to eat or play, groom themselves, explore the house, and then settle down for another nap.
This is one reason you may feel like your cat is sleeping constantly. You’re seeing many individual naps added together over the course of a day.
Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?
There are several reasons why cats sleep so much. One of the biggest is their ancestry.
Cats are natural predators. Hunting requires short bursts of intense energy, so sleeping and resting between periods of activity helps cats conserve energy for when they need it.
Your indoor cat may not be chasing mice around the backyard, but those instincts haven't disappeared. A few minutes of chasing a toy, jumping onto a cat tree, or racing through the hallway can be followed by a long period of rest.
Age also affects how much a cat sleeps. Growing kittens need substantial amounts of sleep as their bodies develop. Older cats may also sleep more as their activity levels change.
Lifestyle can play a role too. An indoor cat with few opportunities for play or exploration may spend more time sleeping simply because there isn't much else happening. Providing toys, climbing opportunities, food puzzles, and regular interactive play can help keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated.
Are Cats Nocturnal?
One of the most common questions about feline behavior is, are cats nocturnal?
Technically, no. Cats aren't truly nocturnal, meaning they're not naturally most active throughout the entire night. Instead, cats are crepuscular. This means they're generally most active around dawn and dusk.
This behavior makes sense when you consider the cat's wild ancestors. Many of the animals cats naturally hunt are active around twilight, so cats evolved to be particularly alert during these periods.
Of course, your cat may still wake you up at midnight.
Cats can adjust their schedules based on their environment and interactions with their humans. An indoor cat may also become active at night because they slept much of the day, are bored, want food, or have learned that nighttime behavior gets your attention.
If your cat suddenly begins yowling, pacing, or becoming unusually restless at night, however, don't automatically assume it's just normal feline behavior. A sudden change in sleep or activity patterns can sometimes indicate an underlying problem.
What Happens When a Cat Sleeps?
Cat sleep isn't always as deep as it looks.
Cats experience both lighter and deeper stages of sleep, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During REM sleep, you may notice your cat's eyes moving beneath their eyelids. Their whiskers, ears, paws, or tails may twitch too.
Don't be surprised if your sleeping cat suddenly moves or makes a tiny sound. Your cat may simply be dreaming.
Cats also tend to remain somewhat alert to their surroundings. Even while napping, their ears may move in response to noises around them. A sound that gets your attention may have your cat opening one eye, checking out what's happening, and then promptly returning to sleep.
This ability to quickly transition from sleeping to alertness reflects the survival instincts of their ancestors.
Cat Sleeping Positions: What Do They Mean?
One of the most entertaining things about having a cat is discovering all the unusual ways they manage to fall asleep.
Common cat sleeping positions include:
- Curled into a ball: Curling up helps conserve body heat and is one of the most common feline sleeping positions.
- Paws over the face: Your cat may cover their face with their paws simply because it's comfortable or helps block out light.
- Belly-up: A cat sleeping on their back may be demonstrating that they feel comfortable and secure in their environment.
- Sprawled out: You may see your cat stretched across the floor, sofa, or bed when they're trying to cool down.
- Tucked into a small space: Boxes, closets, cubbies, and other cozy spaces provide cats with a feeling of security.
- High up: Some cats prefer sleeping on cat trees, shelves, or other elevated locations where they can keep an eye on their surroundings.
There isn't necessarily one meaning behind a particular sleeping position. Your cat's preferred position can depend on temperature, comfort, security, personality, and where they're sleeping.
Where Do Cats Like to Sleep?
Your cat may have a perfectly comfortable bed waiting for them and still choose a cardboard box, laundry basket, windowsill, or your favorite chair.
Cats generally look for places that are comfortable, warm, and secure. Some prefer elevated locations where they can observe the household, while others seek out quiet, enclosed spaces where they can curl up undisturbed.
Temperature can influence cat's sleeping habits too. On warm days, your cat may stretch out on a cool floor. When temperatures drop, they may curl up tightly or seek a sunny window, blanket, or warm bed.
There's nothing wrong with allowing your cat to choose their favorite safe sleeping spot, as long as the location isn't dangerous.
When Is Cat Sleeping a Concern?
Most of the time, a cat sleeping for much of the day isn't a reason to worry. What's more important is whether your cat's sleeping habits have changed.
Contact your veterinarian if your cat is suddenly sleeping much more than usual, is difficult to wake, or seems unusually tired or unresponsive when awake. Other concerning signs include decreased appetite or thirst, reduced interest in play, hiding, weight loss, poor grooming, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or other changes in normal behavior.
It's also important to distinguish normal sleepiness from lethargy. A sleepy cat should generally become alert and behave normally when awake. A lethargic cat may continue to lack energy and interest even when they're awake.
When it comes to your cat's sleeping habits, you know your pet's normal routine best. If something seems different, it's worth paying attention.
Understanding Your Cat's Sleep
Cats may spend a surprising portion of their lives asleep, but there's usually nothing strange about a sleeping cat curled up on the couch.
From their instinct to conserve energy to their natural activity around dawn and dusk, feline sleep behavior is rooted in their biology. Your cat may sleep for hours during the day, wake up for a burst of play, and then settle down for another nap.
So, the next time you find your cat sleeping in a seemingly impossible position, let them enjoy their rest. That next nap may be exactly what they need before their next adventure.
