{"id":2052,"date":"2017-09-06T14:38:22","date_gmt":"2017-09-06T18:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=2052"},"modified":"2021-05-05T09:10:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T13:10:31","slug":"cats-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/cats-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"An Age-Old Mystery: Why do Cats Sleep so Much?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"catWhere is your cat right now? If you\u2019re reading this on your tablet or laptop, there\u2019s a good chance he or she is attempting to schedule an unplanned snuggle \u2013 right on top of the screen. If Fluffy is absent, he or she is likely either dreaming or waking up from the 9th cat nap of the day. Cats are definitely lounge lovers, but there\u2019s more to this indulgence than meets the eye. Cats sleep an average of 16-20 hours every day, but why?<\/p>\n

Cat Sleep Patterns<\/h3>\n

While many cats are active at night (especially kittens), their species is actually classified as crepuscular, meaning they \u201ccome alive\u201d at dawn and dusk. This is explained by the fact that other natural predators are usually hunting in the deep night or daytime hours.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Newborn kittens typically sleep 24 hours a day, growing while they nurse and sleep. As a kitten matures, the amount of sleep required diminishes to an average of 16 hours a day. The cycle revs up again in the senior years.<\/p>\n

A cat’s behavior<\/a> is highly adaptable, and many animals will adjust sleeping patterns in order to spend time with their favorite people. They\u2019ll also adjust naptimes to feeding schedules.<\/p>\n

Hunters<\/h3>\n

Even if you own a strictly indoor cat, you\u2019ll still see primal instincts from time to time. Cats in the wild<\/a> spend an exorbitant amount of energy hunting and must rest after a chase. So, one of the basic reasons that explains why cats sleep so much is due to instinctual feline behavior.<\/p>\n

Cool Down Mode<\/h3>\n

Felines have also adapted to exist in hot climates, and this ability to thrive in certain locations means they\u2019ve figured out how to keep themselves cool. Cats sleep to conserve energy. Sure, other fur-covered mammals coast by on 8 hours of sleep (or less) per cycle, but cats may sleep to help regulate body temperature, as well as for pleasure.<\/p>\n

Stay in Bed<\/h3>\n

Like the phenomenon of cats in boxes<\/a>, cat owners can easily make the jump that cats sleep because it just feels good. They do seem to love a good snooze, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n

On a cold, rainy day, you might find that Fluffy sleeps even longer and deeper. Rapid brain movement occurs in 5-minute increments and is bookended by lighter dozing patterns.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, cats sleep in 15-30 minutes stretches, adjusting the body so they can spring into action if\/when necessary.<\/p>\n

Cats Sleep to Recharge Their \u201cBatteries\u201d<\/h3>\n

Whether cats sleep to dream about that coveted can of tuna, the bird house on the other side of the glass, or the box recently delivered from Amazon, you can bet your cat enjoys every minute of his or her slumber.<\/p>\n

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services<\/a> always enjoy revealing answers to the questions that perplex our clients. We hope you\u2019ll contact us<\/a> for more information about your cat\u2019s wonderful and mysterious behaviors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where is your cat right now? If you\u2019re reading this on your tablet or laptop, there\u2019s a good chance he or she is attempting to schedule an unplanned snuggle \u2013 right on top of the screen. If Fluffy is absent, he or she is likely either dreaming or waking up from the 9th cat nap […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[117,118,124,132,383],"class_list":["post-2052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cats-meow","tag-cat-behaviors","tag-cat-care","tag-cat-nap","tag-cats-sleep-patterns","tag-napping-cats"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy do Cats Sleep so Much?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cats sleep an average of 16-20 hours every day, but why? 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