As we all know, our kitties can get a little cranky if they haven’t had their catnap.
But have you ever thought about what actually happens when it’s time to put on the cat’s paw-jamas?
Does your cat dream? Is their sleep cycle like ours? Why do cats sleep so much, anyway?
Like all good night-cats, if you look into the ingredients of a kitty’s sleep, you might get more than you bargained for.
So to make the information easier to digest, we’re unpacking the need-to-knows of your cat’s snoozing cycle.
Why do cats sleep so much?
Keen for a quick cat fun fact? Cats are asleep for about two-thirds of their lives. (Talk about living the dream!)
But it’s not all sunshine and Maine-bows.
Cats are natural predators, so they need extra energy to stalk, spring on, and subdue their prey… or toys. And they get this energy from sleep. (15 to 20 hours’ worth!)
What’s more? Cats are polyphasic, meaning they sleep in multiple bouts throughout the day. So don’t be alarmed if you keep catching them catnapping – it could be a case of bad timing, and you may simply be missing their active hours.
What happens in a cat’s sleep cycle?
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active during dusk and dawn.
Like their fellow fanged friend, the vampire, cats are creatures of the night. (And they’re great to look at, too!)
So even though kitties are like humans in that they have a circadian rhythm (an internal biological clock), the hands of the human and cat clocks are as different as fingers are to paws.
But, as all sleep purr-fessors will have you know, there are still some similarities between our and our feline friends’ snoozing habits:
- Non-REM sleep: Both pussycats and people experience non-REM sleep – the chasms of catnaps, where sleep is the deepest.
- REM sleep: We also have REM sleep in common – the part where your Tabby might get twitchy. REM sleep is, quite literally, the stuff dreams are made of.
What do cats dream about?
Cats dream – a lot. In fact, 30 to 40% of the time they spend snoozing, they’re dreaming!
But what do they dream about? Other than that coat from the latest issue of Vanity Fur, you mean?
Well, your guess is as good as ours.
But you can catch a clue from your cat’s body language. Is your kitty’s mouth moving? Tail twitching? Ears pricking?
If so, they’re probably dreaming about something involving those paw-dy parts.
For a more specific answer, though, you may need to hit up a whisker whisperer.
How can I tell if my cat is getting enough sleep?
If your kitty isn’t catching their zzz’s, it could lead to cat-astrophe. Because a pooped pussycat is more prone to diseases than a well-rested one.
Just keep in mind while you’re assessing your kitty’s sleeping habits, there are a few natural, normal factors that could affect your feline’s sleep:
- Age: Senior kit-izens will need more sleep than younger kitties.
- Size: Taller tomcats, or kitties with a wider waistline, will need more sleep than others.
- Activity: Work hard, play hard – sleep hard.
- Environment: Atmos-fur is everything. So if your cat is in a new place (or around new people) it may affect their sleep. Just like the weather, so tell the sun that your cat prefers the rain.
It’s also normal for cats to stay semi-alert, even in sleep. Because remember – your pretty pussycat is also a predator. And they’re always on the lookout, hearout, and smellout for potential prey.
But if you’re noticing a change in their sleeping habits – along with weight loss, excessive crying, changes in grooming, or aggressive or less social behaviour – it could be claws for concern.
Can cats have sleep disorders?
Unfortunately, not every kitty can be a Sleeping Mew-ty.
Because for some of our feline friends, Mr Sandman can be more like Maleficent.
So, if you’re noticing your cat sleeping too much, ask your vet about:
- Deafness: Deaf cats may sleep through their alarm.
- Hyperthyroidism: This tail-ment may lead to lethargy, hair loss and decreased appetite.
- Kidney disease: Kitties with poor kidneys will sleep more.
- Narcolepsy: Where your kitty will fall asleep at the drop of a cat.
But if you’re noticing your cat not sleeping enough, look into:
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Where there are immune issues, there are sleep issues.
- Lack of stimulation: We want tired cats. Not wired cats!
Whether it’s too much or too little, an issue with sleeping is not one to turn your whiskers up at.
How can I keep my cat well rested?
We get it – you want to be a good fur parent. But sometimes, a cup of warm milk right before bed won’t quite do the trick.
So if you need an extra paw to help your kitty hit the hay, here are our top tips:
- Enrich your cat: The last thing a cat who’s been bored all day wants to do is go to bed. So make sure you’ve fulfilled their instincts – before you start fulfilling their dreams.
- Keep the kibble coming: One thing you can count on, whether two- or four-legged? Food comas. So feed your cat a small meal before bed, to encourage good sleep.
- Make the bed: Give your kitty the comfort of their own space, their own spot to sleep, and their own – alone – time before bed. A pussycat needs their privacy!
- Give them the silent treatment: If your cat’s calling throughout the night is hiss-ing you off – don’t go and fix their problems for them. They’ll only do it more. (Unless your cat is older and starts getting needy all of a sudden. In that case – check on them!)
- Treat underlying conditions: There’s no way your cat’s going to conk out if they’re still thinking ‘MEOW-CH!’ So be sure to bring your pet to the vet if their sleeping problems persist.
Are you ready to let sleeping cats lie? Sweet dreams are made of these… products from PetPost’s cat health collection.