Is your cat asleep right now? There’s a good chance she is. Kitties certainly does love their beauty rest! Why are cats so tired? A Cherry Hill, NJ vet discusses Fluffy’s napping habits below.
Kitty Sleep Requirements
Our feline pals certainly are drowsy. Most cats sleep about 14 to 16 hours a day. Kittens and senior cats, however, can spend up to 20 hours a day snoozing. With baby cats, this helps them grow, as feline growth hormones are released during sleep. As for senior cats, well, these napping champions are quite tired, and need to rest more. Do cats actually need that much sleep? Is looking adorable really that exhausting? We’re a bit skeptical on this one. After all, pretty much every other animal on the planet manages to get by with 8-12 hours or sleep.
Awareness
Fluffy isn’t always completely zonked out. Kitties are often only half-asleep, and still process sounds and stimuli. That’s why your pet may twitch her ears or flick her tail if you call her name mid-nap.
Dreams
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not cats do dream, the answer to that question is yes. Just like people, cats experience different stages of sleep. During the deepest one—the REM stage—they dream. Nobody knows what Fluffy is dreaming of, but we suspect boxes, warm blankets, squirrels, and tuna may be involved.
Fluffy’s Sleep Schedule
Did you know that cats actually adjust their sleeping times so they can hang out with their owners? If you work nights, Fluffy may snooze while you’re gone, but she’ll likely still snuggle up with you when you go to bed. Cats also sleep more than usual when it’s cold or dreary. We can’t really blame them for that: rainy days are purrfect for napping!
Keeping Your Pet Purring
It doesn’t take much to please your sleepy pet. Offering your kitty lots of comfy beds and napping spots will definitely help keep that motor going. Store-bought beds are fine, but you can also just fold up some soft blankets and put them in a box or wicker basket. Many of our furry pals like warm places to nap in, so consider getting Fluffy a heated bed or a thermal pet blanket.
Please contact us, your Cherry Hill, NJ vet clinic, with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. We’re here to help!
