Did you know that cats can sleep up to 20 hours a day? That seems a bit excessive, doesn’t it? Actually, Fluffy sleeps more than almost any other creature on the planet, with the exception of some bats, possums, and, of course, teenagers. Why are these little furballs so tired? Do they actually need that much rest? A Emerson, NJ vet discusses your drowsy pet’s napping schedule below.

Age-Related Changes

Fluffy’s napping habits will change as she ages. Kittens sleep quite a bit, and usually spend about 20 hours a day dozing. (This actually does make sense, as feline growth hormones are released during sleep cycles.) Most adult kitties settle for a ‘mere’ 14 to 16 hours. Senior cats are both very tired and very experienced nappers: they spend the vast majority of their time snoozing. No matter how old your furry pal is, make sure she has lots of comfy beds!

Dozing

Most of the time, Fluffy isn’t completely zonked out, but is instead dozing lightly. You may notice that her ears will move if you call her name. That half-asleep/half-awake state helps kitties stay attuned to what’s going on around them. In the wild, it can alert them to the presence of predators or prey.

Dreaming

Does Fluffy twitch or make noises in her sleep? In case you were wondering, yes, kitties do dream. No one knows exactly what they dream about, but we wouldn’t be shocked to learn that sunbeams, catnip mice, and cardboard boxes are involved.

Kitty Physics

Fluffy has some quite remarkable and unique traits … such as her ability to sleep in positions that resemble pretzels or knots. Perhaps this is your kitty’s adorable way of reminding you to stay flexible. Take a cue from your feline buddy, and remember to stretch regularly!

Why So Sleepy?

Why are cats so drowsy? In the wild, they spend a lot of energy hunting, and need to recuperate. (Of course, your cute pet may only be ‘hunting’ her food bowl, so there’s that.) Kitties also can’t easily cool down if they overheat, so they may have learned to err on the side of caution when it comes to overexerting themselves. Taking 34 daily naps may be a bit excessive, but good luck telling Fluffy that!

Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your Emerson, NJ animal clinic, anytime!