Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

From middle-of-the-night zoomies to clacking at birds, cats do a lot of distinctively feline things. Another one of those things: sleeping a lot. But why do cats sleep a lot? Is it normal for cats to sleep all day? And what does it mean when your cat sleeps near you? Read on for more info.

How much do cats sleep?

It’s clear cats have a penchant for sleeping, but how many hours a day do cats sleep? And how much sleep do cats need? According to experts, cats sleep 12–16 hours a day — and kittens and senior cats may sleep up to 20 hours a day. But why do cats sleep so much? Like many things cats do, it’s instinctual. Dr. Jamie Studtman of Morris Animal Hospital explains that, because they’re hunters by nature, cats sleep to conserve their energy — even if they’re just hunting dust bunnies. “Cats are predators that typically hunt in the early morning, evening, and night,” she says. “So usually when we’re awake during the day, those are their prime sleeping hours.”

What’s the difference between cat naps and sleep?

Even though cats sleep a lot, all that sleeping isn’t the same. Much of their dozing is actually a cat nap, meaning they’re lightly snoozing for 15–30 minutes at a time. During cat naps, their senses are still active and on alert, allowing them to pounce on prey (a toy mouse) or run from a predator (the vacuum cleaner). They also spend a portion of their sleeping hours in deep REM sleep complete with dreams and twitching paws.

Where do cats sleep?

If you live with cats, you’ve seen them sleeping — in patches of sunlight, in cardboard boxes, on blankets, and even on you. While curiously amusing (ever asked, “Why does my cat sleep on my head?”), sleeping locations and cat sleeping positions often go back to instincts.

• Curled up in a ball? They’re probably protecting their organs and retaining body heat.
• Snoozing on a high perch? They’re staying safe from predators and ready to pounce on prey.
• Dozing in a box? They’re seeking security and an easy exit.
• Sleeping near or on you? They feel safe, want to bond, and may be soaking up your body heat.

Can cats sleep too much?

While cats sleeping a lot is instinctual behavior, too much sleep could be a sign that something’s not quite right. Your cat kid could be sleeping off an injury, like a torn ligament or muscle strain from all those zoomies in between snooze sessions. If excessive sleeping is coupled with weight loss, make sure you take your cat kid to the vet to check for any illnesses.

If your cat kid isn’t getting enough sleep and it’s affecting their bathroom habits, we have natural cat litter formulas for that. Herbal Attraction^® helps draw cautious cat kids to the litter box, and Harmony^™ helps create a calm environment thanks to its safe amounts of lavender and bamboo essential oils.