It is widely known that cats spend most of their time sleeping and witnessing a sleeping cat is hardly abnormal. Cats are most active during the twilight period and are what we call ‘crepuscular’ animals.
They can spend up to 15 hours a day sleeping and an extra 5 hours taking cat naps.
The reason why cats sleep so much is down to their evolution. In the wild, cats sleep excessively to preserve enough energy for hunting. Although domestic cats do not necessarily need to hunt, sleeping comes as a natural instinct to them.
But what if your cat seems to be sleeping a little too much lately? Here are 10 reasons to help you figure out why.
Your Cat is Taking A Catnap
The most common reason is that your cat is taking a catnap. Catnaps help to conserve energy and frequently happen throughout the day.
A typical catnap can last between 15 to 30 minutes and are more of a light snooze than deep sleep. So don’t be fooled into thinking your cat is done for the day; chances are it will be up to mischief sooner than you think.
Sleeping Out of Boredom
Many cats sleep out of boredom, particularly house cats that are unable to venture outdoors when they feel like it.
Boredom may happen if you are out of the house for long periods of time so it is a good idea to invest in a few toys and even a scratch post to keep your cat occupied.
Age-Related
Like humans, older cats are less active as they have less energy. Much of their time will be spent curled up in a cozy space. As well as having less energy, older cats tend to suffer from joint and muscle pain, so investing in an orthopedic cat bed will help ease some of the pain.
Depression
Cats are able to develop feline depression, which may result in loss of appetite, unusual behavior, and they may seem disinterested in doing anything at all.
Sleeping too much is also a common symptom of feline depression. Taking your cat to the vet is the best way to pinpoint the problem.
Overweight Cats Sleep More
If your cat is overweight, they are bound to sleep more, particularly if fed a poor diet lacking in vitamins and nutrients. House cats are more likely to become obese as they are unable to leave the house for exercise.
Therefore, stimulating your cat by playing games in the house is a great way to get them to exercise and burn some energy off.
If you are away from the house for long periods of time, your cat may have access to plenty of food which is why they have piled on the pounds. Special portion control bowls can be purchased to help manage how much your cat is eating to prevent them from putting on weight.
Poisoning
Cats can easily come into contact with toxic products and plants when roaming outdoors. Slug pellets, weed killers, and poisonous plants are a hazard to curious cats who may get a little too close and ingest or inhale them.
If your cat is sleeping more than usual, it may be because they have been poisoned. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and sleeping are all signs of poisoning.
If you think your cat may be suffering from poisoning, take them to the vet immediately.
Your Cat May be Diabetic
An imbalance of glucose levels in the blood will lead to symptoms like dehydration, loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you think your cat may be diabetic, you will need to consult your vet and change your cat’s diet to accommodate their needs.
Arthritis
Prevalent in older cats, arthritis may be the reason why your cat is sleeping so much. Painful joints and muscles can make it difficult for a cat to get around, resulting in them sleeping for longer periods of time.
Affected by The Weather
Poor weather conditions affect how much your cat sleeps. You may find that your cat is unwilling to venture outdoors when it is cold and raining, opting for long catnaps instead.
On the other hand, you may find your cat is more active when the weather is pleasant.
To Summarise
If your cat is sleeping for lengthy periods of time, there is often not much to worry about.
However, you know your cat better than anyone else, and if it is sleeping more than usual along with other worrying symptoms, it could be due to one of the above reasons.
Do not hesitate to contact your vet if you feel your cat’s sleeping pattern could be down to something more sinister.
