Cats sleep about twice as long as people: on average, they spend 12 to 16 hours a day on this peaceful pastime, and some cats sleep up to 20 hours. Their sleep isn’t continuous. A cat dozes off quickly, wakes up, takes care of business and then drifts off again.
Why do cats sleep so much, and what affects how long they sleep?
To answer that, we need to look at cat biology. Cats are predators, built for short bursts of intense activity: stalking, chasing and pouncing. That takes a lot of energy, so in between, they rest to recharge. Cats are also crepuscular, which means they’re naturally most active at dawn and dusk; that’s why your cat may nap all afternoon and then race around the house at 5 a.m. Pet cats don’t need to hunt for their food, so they spend much of their free time sleeping.
Several things affect how long a cat sleeps:
- Age. Kittens and senior cats sleep much more.
- Breed and personality. Laid-back breeds like British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds may curl up for a nap as soon as they’ve eaten, while active breeds like the Abyssinian and the Ocicat tend to sleep less.
- Health and stress. Sick or stressed cats may sleep more or less than usual, and their sleep is often lighter and more restless.
- The home environment. Restless sleep can be a sign that your cat feels scared or uncomfortable, or that someone in the family is bothering it too much.
- Boredom. Indoor cats with little to do often sleep more simply because there’s nothing more interesting going on.
If your cat is healthy and well fed but sleeps much less than 12 hours a day and its sleep is broken and restless, try to find and fix the cause of its discomfort. You may need to set up a cozy, hidden sleeping spot, or simply give your cat more attention and affection.
How Much Should a Kitten Sleep?
As we mentioned, kittens sleep more than adult cats. Newborn kittens sleep almost around the clock, waking only to nurse.
At 1 month old, kittens sleep a little less, about 18–20 hours a day. That’s normal, because growing kittens need plenty of sleep for healthy development. That’s why it’s so important to give a mother cat and her kittens a cozy, secluded spot where no one will disturb them. While kittens are still nursing, their mother sets their daily schedule.
By 2 months old, kittens still sleep a lot, but they’re awake for longer stretches. This is a time of rapid development: kittens run, climb, pounce and play-fight with their littermates, and they stay awake for these exciting games. Then they crash, often in the middle of play.
A cozy hammock or covered bed can help your kitten sleep better.
How Much Do Adult Cats Sleep?
It’s hard for owners to say how much their cats sleep each day; some people feel their cats sleep constantly! In fact, healthy adult cats sleep less than kittens. The normal amount of sleep for an adult cat is about 12–16 hours a day.
Of course, it varies from cat to cat and depends on your cat’s mood, what’s happening at home and its breed’s temperament. Even if your healthy adult cat sleeps around 18–20 hours, that’s no reason to rush to the vet. You should only worry if long sleep comes with other symptoms: poor appetite, low energy or lethargy.
How Much Do Senior Cats Sleep?
As cats age, they sleep noticeably more. Very old cats can sleep as much as kittens, up to 20 hours a day or more. They may wake up only to eat and use the litter box.
During this stage of life, owners should keep an especially close eye on their aging cat’s health, because the body is naturally slowing down. A warm, soft bed in a quiet spot, with easy access (no high jumps), will help your senior cat sleep better.
How Much Do Sick Cats Sleep?
Illness can change how much a cat sleeps, either up or down. If your cat is sleeping much more than usual and has other worrying symptoms, such as listlessness, poor appetite, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, take it to the vet right away.
A big drop in sleep, especially in an older cat that has also become restless, hungry and vocal at night, can be a sign of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Either way, only a vet can make a diagnosis.
Common Causes of Sleep Problems in Cats
Like people, cats can have sleep problems: trouble sleeping or excessive sleepiness. The main causes are:
- heat or cold;
- pregnancy;
- stress: moving house, a new baby or a new pet;
- hormonal changes and thyroid problems;
- illness: fever, worms, diarrhea, pain (such as arthritis in older cats) and more.
