Typical Sleep Patterns for Senior Cats
It’s normal for senior cats over 10 years old to sleep more than younger adult cats. Kittens and young adult cats tend to sleep around 16-20 hours per day. As cats reach senior age, their sleep duration increases. On average, senior cats tend to sleep around 18-22 hours per day.
This increase in sleep is due to both physical and behavioral changes. Physically, senior cats tire more easily and need more rest. Mentally, older cats are calmer and less active than rambunctious kittens. Their sleep cycles also change, with more frequent napping and lighter sleep stages.
While each cat is different, most guardians notice their cats snoozing more as they enter their senior years. It’s important to understand these natural sleep pattern changes when assessing if your aging feline is getting adequate rest.
Why Senior Cats Sleep More
There are several reasons why older cats tend to sleep more than younger cats:
Physical Changes
As cats age, they experience physical changes that can make them sleep more. Arthritis and joint pain become more common, which can make moving around uncomfortable and tiring for senior cats (1). Older cats also tend to have less energy and mobility, so they are not as active and require more rest (2).
Cognitive Changes
Senior cats can develop cognitive issues like feline dementia that affects their memory, learning, awareness, and sleep-wake cycles (3). Dementia can cause increased sleeping during the day and wakefulness at night. The brain changes that come with aging can simply make older cats sleepier.
Lack of Stimulation
An indoor lifestyle and lack of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation can cause senior cats to sleep more out of boredom and lack of activity. Without engaging their minds and bodies, older cats tend to sleep more (1).
Overall, the physical discomfort, cognitive changes, and lack of stimulation that come with aging result in senior cats needing and seeking out more sleep.
Ensuring Quality Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is extremely important for senior cats. As cats age, their sleep patterns and needs change. It’s crucial to make sure your 11+ year old cat has a comfortable place to sleep and their basic needs are met at night.
Provide soft, warm bedding in your cat’s preferred sleeping spots. Place cuddly blankets in their bed, cat tower, or other location they like to sleep. Keep these bedding materials clean by washing them regularly. You can try different textures like faux fur or microfiber to see what your cat finds most soothing.
Set up a quiet, peaceful sleep space away from noisy household activities. Cats can be easily startled awake, so limit disruptions at night. Choose an area with a comfortable ambient temperature – not too hot or cold. Close doors or use fans/heaters to maintain ideal conditions.
Keep the litter box extremely clean, as cats are less likely to sleep if they need to go. Scoop waste at least once daily. Replace litter regularly to control odors. Place food and water bowls near your cat’s bed so they can easily access them at night without traveling far. Having necessities nearby prevents disruptive trips and helps older cats sleep.
By catering to your senior cat’s needs and promoting undisturbed rest, you can help improve their sleep quality. This allows them to recharge and supports continued health and happiness.
Medical Causes of Excessive Sleep
There are some medical conditions that can cause an older cat to sleep more than usual. Two common age-related diseases in cats are kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, both of which can lead to excessive sleeping.
Kidney disease causes toxins to build up in the bloodstream, making cats feel unwell and fatigued. As the kidneys fail, they are unable to properly filter waste products from the blood, resulting in symptoms like lethargy, weakness, and excessive sleeping (source).
Hyperthyroidism is another condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This speeds up the cat’s metabolism, eventually leading to weight loss and fatigue. Cats with hyperthyroidism tend to sleep more to compensate for their increased metabolism (source).
Cancer is another potential cause of excessive sleeping in senior cats. The cancerous growths sap energy from the body, making the cat feel weak and sleepy. Pain from the tumors can also make cats less active.
Additionally, medication side effects may lead to sleepiness. Medications like pain relievers or sedatives can cause drowsiness. Speak to your vet if a new medication seems to be causing lethargy.
When to See the Vet
It’s a good idea to have your 11-year-old cat examined by a vet at least once a year for senior wellness checkups. This allows the vet to monitor your cat’s health and watch for any concerning changes or age-related diseases that may develop (Source: https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2022/09/15/cat-sleeps-constantly-when-should-worry).
Contact your vet right away if your senior cat exhibits any abrupt changes in sleep patterns or behavior. For example, if your previously active cat starts sleeping much more than usual or has trouble walking, crying out while sleeping, or other signs of distress, it could signal an underlying medical issue that requires veterinary attention (Source: https://www.animalhospitalofclemmons.com/site/veterinary-pet-care-blog/2022/06/15/cat-sleep-constantly). Don’t wait to see if the symptoms resolve on their own, as quick treatment greatly improves the prognosis for senior cats.
Some health problems that can cause excessive sleeping in senior cats include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, arthritis, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction. Your vet can run tests to diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate treatment to help your older cat feel better.
Ways to Stimulate an Older Cat
There are many ways you can help stimulate and engage your aging feline to keep them active and enriched in their golden years.
Increasing play time is an excellent way to get older cats moving. Try introducing new toys to pique their interest, like feather wands, laser pointers, puzzle feeders, and catnip toys. You can also entice them to play by dragging toys across the floor for them to chase. Petting and brushing are other great ways to stimulate them with positive touch. Just be sure to watch for signs of overstimulation, like swishing tail or ears pulled back, and give them breaks when needed.
Food puzzles and treat dispensing toys are another way to engage their mind and body. By having to move and manipulate the toy to get the treats out, they are getting physical and mental exercise. Place these around the house so they have to walk from spot to spot. Cat trees near windows give them a place to perch up high and survey their territory, which cats love. If possible, some time outdoors in a catio or on a leash can let them experience new sights and smells.
The key is finding creative ways to keep those whiskers twitching and paws padding, even as your feline friend ages. With playtime, enrichment toys, cat furniture, and mobility accommodations, they can continue an active senior life.
Source: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/keeping-senior-cat-active
Adjusting Your Schedule and Space
As cats reach their senior years, their needs change. One of the biggest changes pet owners may notice is that their older cat sleeps much more than when they were younger. To accommodate your senior cat’s need for daytime rest, make some adjustments to your home and schedule:
Provide quiet, comfortable, and consistent sleeping areas around your home. Older cats especially appreciate soft, warm beds in quiet spots where they won’t be disturbed. Place beds in sunny spots for daytime napping or in cozy corners for nighttime sleep. Consider heated pet beds to ease achy joints.
Keep noise and activity levels in the home low during prime napping hours. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Plan louder activities like appliance use or exercising pets for outside of your cat’s preferred resting times.
Stick to a consistent daily routine. Regular mealtimes, playtimes, and sleep opportunities will help your senior cat feel secure.
Make sure your cat can easily access his favorite napping spots. Place pet steps or ramps to reach high perches. Keep pathways clear of clutter. Night lights can help cats navigate at night.
Behavioral Causes
As cats age, they can develop feline cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to dementia in humans. This can cause disorientation, anxiety, vocalization, and other behavioral changes in senior cats. According to the ASPCA, disorientation is often the first sign of cognitive decline that pet parents notice in older cats.
Purina states that loud meowing or increased howling in elderly cats can sometimes point to cognitive issues. Although excessive vocalization can have many causes, it’s important to rule out medical conditions first before attributing it to dementia or anxiety.
PrettyLitter explains that long meows, yowls, and howls in senior cats are often due to underlying distress, pain, or grief. While young cats vocalize for attention, older cats may cry out due to disorientation or anxiety from cognitive dysfunction.
To help a senior cat exhibiting signs of dementia or anxiety, keep their environment consistent and minimize loud noises or changes that could be frightening. Try calming treats, pheromone diffusers, or CBD oil. Increase playtime and affection to comfort them. If behavioral symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.
When to Worry
While increased sleeping is normal for senior cats, excessive lethargy accompanied by other symptoms warrants a trip to the vet. According to Cumberland Animal Clinic, sleeping more than usual with appetite changes, vomiting, lack of grooming or weight loss could signal an underlying illness.
It’s important to differentiate between normal aging and more serious conditions. As outlined by Animal Hospital of Clemmons, healthy senior cats still enjoy some activity and play. However, cats experiencing cognitive decline, arthritis pain or hyperthyroidism may sleep excessively and lack interest in toys or people. If your cat’s personality seems to be changing along with sleep patterns, consult your vet.
While adjusting to an older cat’s needs, don’t ignore drastic behavior changes. Sudden lethargy or withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed could indicate a medical problem requiring treatment. Your vet can best determine if your cat’s sleeping habits are within normal range or require intervention.
Enjoying Your Senior Cat
Focus on quality time with your older feline, not quantity. Respect your senior cat’s slower pace and need for extra naps by scheduling play, cuddle, and care times when kitty seems most alert and engaged. Adapting their environment to be senior-friendly by providing ramps, litter boxes on each level, night lights, and warming beds will support their comfort. Soft music and gentle petting can calm an anxious senior cat. Celebrate special mementos like photos or paw prints to cherish your connection. While older cats have unique needs, their sweet and mellow companionship is a gift. Prioritize quality of life with thoughtful care, adjustments, and empathy. Your loyal companion will reciprocate your patience with increased snuggles and purrs.