How many hours a cat sleeps per day depends on a lot of different factors, including age, activity level and personality. For example, older cats and active kittens may need more sleep than relaxed indoor cats. Many people worry that their cat sleeps too much, but it’s unusual for a cat to overdo it when it comes to sleep.
WHY DO CATS SLEEP SO MUCH?
How much your cat sleeps depends on how old it is, how active it is when it’s awake and their personality, but it is not unusual for them to sleep for up to 16-18 hours a day. Most of this time, however, cats are just dozing lightly and not sleeping deeply and are very easy to wake. You’ve probably noticed that your cat rests during the day and is awake at night – that’s completely normal. It’s in a cat’s nature to rest until it’s time to hunt. Cats are most active at dusk and dawn because it’s easier to catch prey in the twilight.
HOW MUCH DOES A KITTEN SLEEP?
On average, a young kitten sleeps much more than an adult cat. When cats are newborn, it’s not uncommon for them to sleep as much as possible as this helps them stay healthy and be active when they wake. Kittens also needs sleep to grow, because growth hormones are released while they sleep. It is therefore very important to leave a kitten alone when it’s sleeping.
IF YOUR CAT IS RESTLESS AT NIGHT
Having a cat that’s awake and making a lot of noise at night can be frustrating. If you have problems with a very nocturnal cat, you can try to keep it active in the evening. By wearing it out, you’ll increase the chances of it sleeping through the night. Further reading
IF YOUR CAT’S SLEEPING MORE THAN NORMAL
It’s common for cats, just like humans, to be affected by changes in temperature. Many people find that their cats, as well as staying indoors more, become less active and sleep more in winter compared to the rest of the year. A changed sleep pattern isn’t necessarily a sign that something’s wrong, but if you notice your cat sleeping more than it usually does, and it seems weak, it could be a sign that it’s not feeling well. If it stops eating and drinking at the same time that it starts sleeping more, you should consult a vet to make sure everything is fine. Further reading
