How Much Sleep Do Cats Need?
Cats are natural born snoozers. According to the Sleep Foundation, cats sleep an average of 15 hours per day, with some sleeping even more than that.1 Kittens and older cats need even more sleep – kittens may sleep up to 20 hours per day as they grow and develop.2
Adult cats generally need about 12-16 hours of sleep per day on average.3 However, every cat is different – some may only need 11 hours while others need a full 20 hours of daily sleep. The hours accumulated don’t need to be all in one session – cats take frequent catnaps throughout the day and night, sleeping in short bursts.
A few factors determine exactly how much sleep a cat needs each day, including age, breed, environment, and activity level. But the vast majority of adult house cats need a good 12-16 hours of daily shut eye. Letting your cat get his full 40 winks is important for his health and wellbeing.
Sources:
1. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/animals-and-sleep/how-much-do-cats-sleep
2. https://modkat.com/blogs/modkat-purrr/how-much-do-cats-sleep-and-how-many-hours-do-they-really-need
3. https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/why-do-cats-sleep-so-much
Signs Your Cat is Sleeping Too Much
There are some telltale signs that your cat may be sleeping more than is normal or healthy. According to the Animal Hospital of Clemmons, some of the most common signs that your cat is sleeping too much include:
- Sleeping more than 16-20 hours per day depending on their age. Older cats tend to sleep more than kittens and younger cats.
- Being difficult to wake up or acting lethargic when they are awake. Healthy cats are typically alert when awake.
- Decreased interest in playtime, food, treats, or other activities they normally enjoy. A sudden disinterest could signal an underlying issue.
As noted in an article from AEC Memphis Vet Blog, if your cat is sleeping more than usual but is otherwise acting normal when awake, there may be less cause for concern. However, if coupled with lethargy, loss of appetite or other behavioral changes, excessive sleep warrants a trip to the vet.
Medical Causes of Excessive Sleep
There are several potential medical reasons why your cat may be sleeping too much. One common cause is an underlying illness like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or anemia. These conditions can leave your cat feeling fatigued, weak, and needing extra rest. According to the Animal Hospital of Clemmons, illnesses like kidney disease reduce the body’s ability to function normally, leading to excessive sleeping.
Your cat may also be sleeping more due to pain or arthritis. The Cumberland Animal Clinic notes that cats are masters at hiding pain, and sleeping excessively is one way they try to cope. Conditions like dental disease, infections, and joint inflammation can all cause discomfort and fatigue.
Certain medications can also lead to increased sleep as a side effect. For example, some pain medications like Tramadol can cause sedation. Chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer may also leave cats feeling worn out. According to the Animal Emergency Center of Memphis, you should notify your vet if you notice excessive sleeping after starting a new medication.
Overall, any major change in your cat’s sleeping patterns without explanation warrants a trip to the vet. Bloodwork, imaging, and other tests can help diagnose underlying medical issues that may be impacting your cat’s energy levels and sleep needs.
When to See the Vet
If your cat’s excessive sleeping is sudden or severe, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit. A sudden dramatic increase in sleep can signal an underlying medical issue. According to the Cumberland Animal Clinic, if your cat begins sleeping a lot more or less than usual, it may indicate a health problem that requires veterinary attention.
You should also watch for other concerning symptoms accompanying increased sleep. These include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, and lethargy. The Animal Hospital of Clemmons notes that these additional symptoms combined with excessive sleep are cause for worry.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your cat’s health. Schedule a vet visit promptly if you notice any severe or sudden sleep changes. Getting an early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more serious complications down the line.
Non-Medical Causes
There are some non-medical reasons why your cat may start sleeping more than usual. These include:
Boredom or lack of stimulation: Cats that don’t get enough interactive playtime or environmental enrichment can become bored, which leads to excessive sleeping. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys to play with and switch them up regularly. Give them puzzles or hiding places to explore. Engage them in active play like chasing wand toys for at least 15-30 minutes per day.
Changes in routine or environment: Significant changes in a cat’s schedule or home can be stressful and make them retreat into sleep. For example, moving to a new house, a new family member or pet, or different feeding times. Try to minimize abrupt changes and ease cats into new routines gradually.
Normal aging: Senior cats often sleep more than younger cats, similar to humans. Their energy levels decrease with age so they conserve it by sleeping more often. Make sure aging cats have easy access to food, water, and litter boxes so they don’t have to expend much energy.
Warm temperatures: Cats like warmth and will naturally sleep more in hot weather to conserve energy. Make sure your cat has access to shaded, cooler areas even when it’s hot. Cats feel comfortable between 75-86°F.
If your cat’s excessive sleeping can’t be explained by any of these reasons, then an underlying medical issue is more likely. Consult your vet to identify and address any health problems.
Sources:
https://www.animalhospitalofclemmons.com/site/veterinary-pet-care-blog/2022/06/15/cat-sleep-constantly
https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2022/09/15/cat-sleeps-constantly-when-should-worry
Tips to Encourage Waking
If your cat is sleeping too much during the day, there are some gentle ways you can encourage waking during normal alert periods:
Play with interactive toys when kitty is awake – Waving around a feather wand or rolling balls across the floor when your cat is alert can help engage their natural hunting instincts. This type of play encourages activity and interaction.
Engage in training or clicker work – Doing short 5-10 minute training or clicker sessions during times your cat would normally be active keeps their mind engaged. Teaching new tricks or reinforcing learned behaviors is mentally stimulating.
Gently brush or pet cat – Softly brushing or petting your cat can rouse them from sleep when done during appropriate awake periods. Always gauge your cat’s reaction to determine if they are enjoying the attention or seem bothered.
Move food dish location – Placing your cat’s food dishes in a new spot encourages investigation and movement when hungry. Just don’t disrupt sleep to show your cat the relocated dish.
When to Let Sleeping Cats Lie
As the old saying goes, it’s best not to disturb a sleeping cat unless absolutely necessary. Cats sleep anywhere from 12-16 hours per day on average, which is perfectly normal and healthy for their species (1). They have different sleep cycles and habits compared to humans, being crepuscular animals most active at dawn and dusk.
Cats instinctively sleep when tired and wake when rested. Unless your cat is displaying concerning medical symptoms or missing meals, you can generally allow them to stick to their natural sleep/wake schedule without interference. Waking a cat up just for human interaction or activity goes against their natural rhythms and should be avoided.
Let sleeping cats lie. Don’t force them awake for playtime, feeding, or cuddles. Trust your cat to sleep and wake as needed to maintain their health and happiness (2). Your cat’s sleep schedule may seem random or excessive but is likely just what their mind and body demands.
Sources:
(1) https://www.quora.com/Is-it-bad-to-wake-up-a-sleeping-cat
(2) https://www.wikihow.com/Wake-up-a-Cat
Creating a Stimulating Environment
There are a variety of strategies that can help create a more stimulating home environment to encourage an overly sleepy cat to wake up and engage in play and activity. Providing a variety of appealing toys, furniture, and interactive activities can help combat boredom and excess sleepiness. Some ideas include:
Cat trees and scratching posts are great for providing cats with opportunities for exercise, scratching, and climbing. Tall cat trees with different levels give cats a space to play, nap, and survey their territory from up high (Source). Scratching posts help satisfy their natural scratching instinct.
Food puzzles and hidden treats encourage natural foraging behavior and provide mental stimulation. There are a variety of puzzle feeders and food dispensing toys that can turn mealtimes into an engaging game.
Catnip and interactive toys help keep cats mentally and physically active during solo play. Good options include feathery wands, treat balls, and motorized toys that the cat can chase (Source). Rotating toys helps prevent boredom from setting in.
Placing cat furniture near windows allows cats to view outdoor birds and activity. Window perches provide front-row entertainment.
Ruling Out Adverse Effects in Home
It’s important to ensure your home environment is safe, comfortable, and stress-free for your cat. An unsettling home can cause anxiety and contribute to excessive sleeping.
Check for potential toxins or poisons around the house that your cat may have access to, such as household cleaners, plants, or medications. Make sure any dangerous or poisonous items are properly stored and out of reach.
Inspect for pests like fleas, ticks or mice that could be disturbing your cat and disrupting sleep. Consider contacting an exterminator if an infestation is found.
Pay attention to unusual noises like appliances, construction, or loud music that could startle your cat and prevent quality sleep. Try mitigating external noises the best you can.
Ensure the temperature where your cat sleeps is comfortable, not too hot or cold. Cats prefer temperatures between 75-86°F.
Consider noise machines, cat appeasing pheromones, or consistent routines to minimize stress and make your cat feel more relaxed and safe at home.
If you rule out potential home hazards or stressors, yet your cat is still sleeping excessively, then there may be an underlying medical issue requiring veterinary attention.
When to Seek Help
If your cat’s excessive sleeping continues despite making changes to its environment, schedule, and activity levels, it’s time to seek help from a veterinarian (source: https://www.animalhospitalofclemmons.com/site/veterinary-pet-care-blog/2022/06/15/cat-sleep-constantly). Persistent increased sleep paired with lethargy, appetite changes or other concerning symptoms could signal an underlying medical issue that requires treatment.
Some signs to watch out for that warrant a trip to the vet include (source: https://www.emergencypetclinics.com/site/blog/2023/06/15/cat-sleeps-too-much-worry):
- Excessive sleeping and low energy
- Lack of interest in toys, food, or people
- Weight loss or gain
- Excessive urination or thirst
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Labored breathing
- Discharge from eyes or nose
- Skin problems
If your cat is displaying any of these troubling symptoms in addition to sleeping more than normal, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. They can run tests to determine if there’s an underlying condition that needs treatment.