Why Does Your Cat Sleep So Much?

Have you ever wondered why your cat sleeps so much? It seems like they can just drift off anytime, anywhere, and in any position. You probably find it adorable to glance over and see your cat, once again, lounging on top of a bookshelf, dead asleep, then shortly after, there she is again, asleep under a pillow. But why do they sleep so many hours of the day. Keep reading to find out why cats sleep so much.

1. It’s in their genetics

The first response is, that cats sleep approximately 16 hours out of a day, and older cats, well, they can spend an even longer period of time resting, which is said to be about 20 hours a day. This is a lot due to the whole evolution of the cat, their nutritional habits as well as physiology. Wild cats hunt to eat. They have a genetic makeup to hunt, stalk and kill their prey, all of which requires a lot of energy. In order to keep up with the vigorous routine of hunting to eat, they need all the rest they can get between each meal.

2. Cats don’t actually sleep soundly all the time

It may appear that your cat is in a deep sleep when you just glance their way. But the truth is, a lot of what they are doing, three quarters of the time, anyway, is really snoozing. This is the state that a cat gets into to rest, but they are also able to be aroused easily at a moment’s notice. They are typically always on alert for any noises or surprises. You may catch their eyes squint open a little and then spring to life. A cat can actually get into this doze-state in a sitting position.

3. Cats do sleep deep, and have dream

The rest of the quarter of a cat’s time spent sleeping is in a deep sleep. Again, with older cats, their deep sleep is even longer. They spend about 30 or 40 percent of their sleep time in a deep sleep, which means that you would probably see their eyes closed tight, and maybe even their tail curled up over their face. Deep sleep is important for your cat. This is when the body totally rejuvenates itself to stay healthy. This is also when cats dream. Their whiskers or paws may twitch when they dream, which tells you that this is no “cat nap,” they are deep in sleep.

4. Snoring cats

Cats will snore when they have an obstruction of their airway, usually from extra skin from their soft palate. It is something that usually happens when they are just totally relaxed, and is more typical of a short-nosed cat breed, like the Himalayan or the Persian. So if you own one of these breeds, chances are you have heard them saw  log or two.

5. If your cat changes its sleeping habits, it could be a sign of trouble

Pay attention to your cat’s sleeping habits. If they suddenly change, and change dramatically, it could be a sign that there is a medical issues, for instance, too much wakefulness time could be a sign of hyperthyroidism. You will want to take your cat to the vet to be examined to be sure there is nothing wrong with your feline. Excessive sleep may be an indication of illness or pain, so its better to err on the side of caution.

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