catmando.blog

If you’re a cat lover like I am and have had cats almost your entire life, then maybe you’ve also wondered why cats sleep so much.  I know I’ve thought about this several times over the years.  So I decided to do a little research and found this out:

Typically, cats are programmed to sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day, but I know some cats who can sleep as many as 20 hours.  Cats are much different than other pets.  They are most active in the early morning and early evening, which matches their primal instincts as hunters.  They tend to conserve their energy during the day so they can hunt at night.  It is natural for them to want to sleep most of the time. 

There is no doubt cats have mastered the art of sleeping.  Cats are expert sleepers.  They have evolved over the years to be able to nod off at one second, yet be wide awake and ready for action in the next second.  Evolution has engrained their nocturnal instincts to be hunters, who use their sharp senses to stalk and capture their prey.

Cats are unlike humans in that they are able to sleep in a semi-alert mode whereas we humans have to have our REM and non-REM sleep to stay healthy.  Being able to sleep lightly enables our furry friends to wake up quickly and respond to any potential threats or opportunities to catch some food.  This video is a good example of this.

Another reason cats have the ability to sleep as often as they do is because of their metabolism.  Cats have evolved to live off small, frequent meals rather than large and infrequent meals.  When they are sleeping, they are conserving energy. 

Cats also have a higher body temperature than humans, which allows them to maintain their energy levels while sleeping for extended periods.

As for where your cat sleeps, that is important.  Cats are highly sensitive to their environment.  Even though cats are found everywhere, it does not change the fact that they prefer sleeping someplace where they feel safe and secure, where they can relax without disturbances.  Cats are considered masters of adaptation.  They are capable of changing their sleep patterns to suit whatever surroundings they are in.

This need for security is deeply ingrained in their behavior and influences their sleep habits significantly.

There are even differences between inside cats and outside cats.  Indoor cats tend to sleep more during the day and follow their owners’ schedules, while outdoor cats, on the other hand, tend to adapt to the natural rhythms of the environment for hunting and exploring during hours when their prey are up and about as well.

Cats are definitely different creatures whose characteristics are deeply rooted in their biological and evolutionary history.  Their nocturnal instincts, very efficient metabolism, and their need for security, and ability to adapt make them the almost purrfect pet.  Is it any wonder that you can leave home for a few days and return to a cat still alive and the house not torn up?  All the indoor cat needs to survive is food, water, and a litter box.