Cats how much sleep

Which raises the question: Why do cats sleep so much? The first thing you should realize is that cats are most active between dusk and dawn, which means that they sleep mostly during the day and become active around twilight. This can come as quite a shock if you're bringing a new kitty home for the first time.

But as soon your cat is done with breakfast, as the rest of the world winds up for action, you'll find him winding down for a long day of slumber. Large cats such as lions have a similar pattern of sleeping during the day and hunting at night.

Although they have been domesticated for the most part, housecats still retain that wild streak. Even cats at play will display the feline primal instincts of creeping about in the shadows and, without a whisper of warning, pouncing on their target prey.

And hunting prey takes an amazing amount of energy. Whether your kitty is hunting for outdoor prey or tackling a catnip toy, all that sleep he gets is reserve energy for running, pouncing, climbing and stalking. Like people, cats either doze in a light sleep or sleep very deeply. During deep sleep, cats experience rapid or quick brain movement. Deep sleep tends to last about five minutes, after which the cat goes back to dozing.

My cat sleeps constantly - how much is too much and when should I worry? Why do cats sleep so much? What is the normal amount of sleep for a cat? The number of hours that your cat needs to sleep and the typical sleeping pattern for your cat will change as they get older: Kittens will likely sleep most of the day, with a few brief bursts of energy between meals.

Adolescent cats may have erratic sleep patterns combined with periods of intense playfulness. Adult cats tend to have more set sleeping schedules that average out at about 12 - 20 hours of sleep each day.

Senior cats will tend to have less energy and reduced mobility which means they will sleep more than younger cats. Is my cat really asleep? When should I be concerned? If you are concerned about your cat's health after your regular vet has closed, contact our Memphis emergency vets.

Never mind the premium cat food the loving owner puts in front of them day in and day out, their innate instincts can easily take over despite the countless comforts of home life.

You might have noticed your cat is fast asleep during the day and wide awake at dawn and dusk. Their prey, usually small mammals and birds, are less likely to take notice of dangers during twilight hours and thus become easy targets for the hungry feline. However, some domesticated cats are nice enough to adjust their sleeping routines to match the waking hours of their owner.

After all, they do need a cooperating human around to give them their share of food, water and play time. All these reasons combined make you the perfect company for letting their defences down to get a good, refreshing rest.

Curled up, stretched out or standing up, cats have no problem dozing off whenever they feel like it. We humans have taken notice and used it as an inspiration for our quick naps during the day. It might seem your cat is sleeping their life away, but most of the time this is just part of their natural sleeping patterns. However, if you do notice more snoozing than usual or maybe less make sure you bring it up with your vet. Although it might be down to the weather or just their mood, a change in the sleeping routine can also point to more serious health concerns.

Anaemia, gastrointestinal problems, depression or pain can make your kitty extra lethargic or cause loss of sleep. We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'.

Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey. Next article. How Smart are Cats?