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10 Reasons Why Your Cat is Sleeping a Lot More Than Usual
10 Reasons Why Your Cat is Sleeping a Lot More Than Usual
Have you noticed your cat sleeping more or deeper than usual? An average cat sleeps 12-16 hours in a day. The number goes up to 20 hours for kittens and older cats. It’s different for every cat, of course, but basically, your cat would spend about 2/3 of its life sleeping or napping. Cats sleep a lot, to say the least. However, changes in sleeping pattern along with other symptoms to watch out for could indicate that your cat may need some medical attention. So, is your cat sleeping a lot more than she should be? Here are the possible reasons why your pet kitty may be sleeping a lot more than usual.
Here's is an infographic that you need to know about a cats’s sleeping habits and when to worry about them.
1. Cat nap
If you think your cat sleeps way too much, the main reason for that would be is that 75% of the time a cat spends sleeping isn’t particularly in a state of deep sleep. Cat naps, usually taking up anywhere between 15-30 minutes throughout the day, is your pet’s way of reserving energy for when there’s suddenly food, prey, or a threat present. She may appear to be sleeping, but most of the time, but your cat is most definitely on alert and will be ready to spring and chase when it senses a sudden movement.
2. Boredom
Bored or stressed cats may sleep even more than the usual 12-16 hours. If your cat is left alone at home when you go to work, don’t be surprised to know that he’s spending most of the time that you’re gone dozing off. Try to foster a more stimulating environment at home to prevent your cat from being bored. You can set up scratch posts and provide toys for him to play with. Whenever you can, spend at least 10 minutes playing with your cat.
3. Obesity / Lack of vitamins
Obesity is a very likely reason why your cat sleeps a lot. Apart from overfeeding, obesity in cats may also be caused by an imbalanced diet and lack of exercise. An average cat should be fed three to four small meals daily. Feed him a lean, protein-rich diet.
Some cats that are left alone for most of the day with all the food they can eat are more likely to become overweight. If you have to leave for long periods, make use of feeders with portion control so your cat doesn’t overeat. If your pet is an indoor cat, find ways to give him plenty of exercise. This might require leash training your cat or providing him with interactive toys.
4. Age
As your cat grows older, he becomes more likely to catch more sleep. An old cat sleeps a lot, for as long as 18-20 hours a day. But they would stick to the same routine in their waking hours, whether that involves prowling, looking for food, and seeking attention before getting another nap. If you’re concerned, interact with him and observe his behavior when he’s active. If he seems lethargic all the time, there might be an underlying medical condition and it would be time for a visit to the vet.
5. Feline depression
If oversleeping is accompanied by other signs such as loss of appetite, avoidance, and other unusual behavior, this could mean that your cat is suffering from depression. Feline depression, however, is not the same as clinical depression in humans. This condition would exhibit symptoms such as the ones that have been mentioned, resulting from an underlying illness. In such cases, it's best to take your cat to the vet, who will conduct the necessary tests to determine what’s ailing your cat.
6. Weather
Believe it or not, the weather may also be the reason for cats sleeping a lot more than usual. During winter or rainy months, it’s not surprising for cat naps to become longer and more frequent. The amount of light would also affect your cat’s sleeping habits.
7. Viral/ Bacterial Infection
The most common types of viral infections and bacterial infections could be the reason why your cat seems to be taking more time snoozing than awake. Viruses and bacteria may be picked up from contaminated food, bite wounds, and interaction with infected animals or cats.
Common viruses infecting cats: feline immunodeficiency virus, feline herpes, feline leukemia, feline distemper, feline calcivirus, etc.
Common bacteria infecting cats: salmonella, e. coli, bordetella, helicobacter, streptococcus, leptospirosis, clostridia, etc.
Fatigue and lethargy are common symptoms of bacterial and viral infections, usually accompanied with other symptoms like eye and nose discharge, diarrhea or loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, lack of interest in grooming, and respiratory infections, among others. If your cat also exhibits such worrisome symptoms, he needs to see the vet immediately.
8. Arthritis
Arthritis or degenerative joint disease causes pain and inflammation of the joints. Older cats, especially, would be more prone to the condition. Arthritis would make it hard or even painful for them to move, thus making it much more preferable to stay comfortable sleeping.
9. Diabetes
Diabetes is much more common to felines than you think. If a cat has imbalanced blood sugar or glucose levels in the blood, this would manifest in symptoms that include lethargy, as well as loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and dehydration. Strict adjustments in diet would be required and it’s best to consult your vet.
10. Poisoning
Toxic plants and substances are a hazard, especially to cats that often roam outdoors. If a cat sleeps a lot more than usual, you may want to consider the possibility that he has inhaled, ingested, or has come in contact with poison. Vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, difficulty breathing, and presence of blood in stool or vomit are possible indicators that your cat has been poisoned. If he exhibits these symptoms, take him to the vet immediately.
Here is how a cat usually sleeps. In the picture, you will have a clear idea about it.
It wouldn’t generally be of immediate concern if a cat sleeps more than usual. Our feline friends spend most of their life napping to keep their bodies energized for when they are awake and ready to prowl, stalk, play, and hunt. As cats have different personalities and temperaments, sleeping habits may also vary. As the owner, you should be on the lookout for symptoms or changes in sleeping habits that may mean that your cat is suffering from pain, stress, or an infectious disease.
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Comments
My cat is an indoor cat, the vets have been messing me around with finding out what she is allergic to for nearly a year and I have no idea if it is food or environment. She has to wear a cone or hood a lot as if unsupervised she will just bite and lick at her legs, making open wounds. She has been just laying around and sleeping a lot. She tends not to move for hours and hours on end. Her eating has always been an issue as she is stupidly fussy for a cat. But her pooping has become a big issue and she has had to have a micro enema just yesterday. But the vet thinks it could be due to her not being active but I\'m really struggling to get her active as shes so uninterested. I think removing the cone will probably help, but I have no way to stop her biting at her legs- shes done an elimination diet, that yeilded no results, she had steroids, she had extra omega 3 to strengthen her skin barrier. Shes even on prozac to try and stop her compulsive grooming. Literally nothing is working and I keep wondering if I need to surrender her to a shelter who can work with her and get her better.
hi so my cat is being sleeping a lot this days its kinda super hot days and its seems like he cant handl it i dont know what to do he is sleeping more then 16 hour he wakes up just for food , and he also keep staying indoors even when the wether is nice i take him out but he just get back and sleep idk what to do pleas help me
I was gone for a week trip, and when I got home my cat Max was sleeping more then usual, I thought he just missed me, but he doesn\'t leave my room, not even for food.
hello i have a 9 month old cat who has been sleeping all day will only get up to eat and drink water and goes right back to sleep could there be something going on with him
Hello my cat is 9 months 3-4 day I notice that he sleeps a lot more than usuall almost 23 hours and he is not eating and not pooping. He feels like vomiting and he did one time like green color could you help me
My male cat he about 2yrs old usually very vocal very energetic and very cuddly almost to an annoying point inside, outside cat mostly inside put for 2 days he has been sleeping quietly in the same spot in the center of the walkway lets me pet him got up to eat very little and went back to the same spot . Should i be concerned it has been 96° outside
my 3 cats slept 21 hours a day and they are all 4 years old. I don\'t know what is wrong with them.
My cat Sam is only 3 years old and sleeping a lot? He isn\'t sick because he runs and play and eats? He doesn\'t act like he is in any pain? He is a indoor cat doesn\'t ever go outside. And he\'s going to the bathroom without a problem? It is winter were I live?
My 10 year old cat hasn\'t urinated or had bowel movement since yesterday. She is still eating and drinking. She usually goes out first thing in the morning. Today she is sleeping and not using her litter box. Not interested in going out
My cat cannot get up into my bed because it’s too high for her. (I have a loft) She is overweight, but she’s not HUGE. She’s around 13 pounds. My cousin put her up in my bed around 4 am, and it is now almost 10 pm. She has been up there for almost 18 hours!!!!!! She can get down, but she doesn’t want to. It could be have to do with boredom since there is a dog over currently and she doesn’t want to be around it. She hangs out in my room for most of the day because of the dog and people. The weather has been sorta humid and drizzles a little here and there. She is only 2 years old, and I don’t think she has diabetes at all. She loves her food. I just can’t believe how long she has been sleeping for!
My cat had a seperation from my partner and became physically unwell, which he overcame. He is now sleeping all day and night, and is sleeping with me, sitting very close to me and letting me belly rub him. He would never do this when my partner was here. I couldn\'t even pet him. Do you think he is depressed? He\'s eating but not playing, which he loves as he\'s an indoor.
Becca, I am not expert at all, but it sounds like your cat really misses your partner. It almost seems like they are grieving. Your cat could be depressed... :C I hope your cats spirits are lifted soon. I will pray for him.
I own a kitten named Luna. She\'s 5 months old. I believe she has an eye infection in both eyes. It\'s not that serious but I noticed her eyes are pinky/red. She slept a lot today and seems to be alright. Can someone please tell me what I should do? \r\nThanks
Pretty Kitty, when in doubt take her to the vet
My 3 cats, Mr. Snug, Little Buddy and Baby Girl are sleeping a lot more than usual. It is rainy and cold outside, however, they are indoor cats and always warm and dry, so would they still be affected by the weather?
I was wondering if someone could help me my kitten kikyo which is around eight or nine months had recently gotten pinkeye and transferred it to her other eye we took her to the vet and they told us that the only thing that was wrong with her and that she’s completely healthy other than that but why is she sleeping so much can anyone tell me?
Khaliah, kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day! The pink eye can be treated with warm compress and a vet might prescribe and ointment or eye drop if you are able to take your kitten to the vet!
My cat is so lethargic, I have had him to the vets, he has had xrays and blood test but nothing has been found, I have already spent 11 hundred pounds and I am now frightened that if he was to have a referral they may find cancer. I am puzzled to what to do.
One of my cats started sleeping the whole day some days ago and now she is in the verge of dying, she\'s neither eating nor drinking water and now she can\'t even stand up. There\'s no vet around me. I tried to feed her but she vomits it each time and now she does not even open her mouth accept for crying. She\'s more than 2months old.\r\n\r\nNow, my other cat is also sleeping very much suddenly today. Is the same thing happening with her also?
My kitten is only 9 weeks old and usually plays and zooms around all the time however today he hasn’t run around or played at all just slept all day and seems a little unhappy I have felt his nose and it’s a little dry he hasn’t eaten too much but has eaten a little but does drink milk all the time is there anything I should be concerned about
Natasha, Don\'t ever feed cats cow\'s milk!
Natasha, cats should never have milk. Cats are lactose intolerant and the indigestible lactose in its gut will ferment, causing a stomach upset, diarrhea, and pain. Milk can seriously imbalance their diet causing nutrient deficiencies as well. No matter how much they love it, don\'t give any kind of milk to your fur-babies.
I was on vacation for a week. I had my neighbor come in daily to feed my two 9 year old cats. It\'s been three days since I\'ve been home and my male cat seems to be sleeping much more than usual. Otherwise his appetite is o.k. but his playfulness has dropped off too. Should I be concerned?
My cat is normally 1st out the door in the morning but last 4 days he is not bothered & sleeping more than usual please advice he still eats & drinks
My cat sleeps all day. But she will get up about 3 times a day for her treat. She eats mostly at night. She’s just nibbles! It takes her more then 6 months to finish a 15 lb bag of food. \r\nShe does play at night at times but not often. \r\nShe is 6 or 7 and a calico cat.
My cat has slept all day and has never done that before what is going on????
I have 3 cats,Precious age 9,Smokey, age 7, and Scarlet age 2 and Scarlet likes to aggravate Smokey so much that when Scarlet isn\'t bullying her Smokey sleeps a lot during the day and night ... I\'m thinking Smokey is stress out and that is why she sleeps a lot. Any advice?
Brenda Lane, I bought my cats feliway. It helps stress a lot.
My cat she seems sleep a lot. I love my kitty very much.
My 2 cats often sleep not their usual behavior, they have difficulty in standing and lose their appetites but they drink milk. I\'m worried about them, please advice me what should I do. Thank you.
Cows milk will make cats sick.
Cows Milk is very bad for cats
AC, I say you should take him/her to the vet
My cat is 15 months old. She’s been in the house for 3 days. Today, she has been sleeping non-stop. She seems lethargic, and wobbly. I didn’t notice her behavior until tonight. Not sure what’s going with her. Definitely not her normal behavior.
Marilyn, that is exactly what has been happening to my cat
My cat sleep all the time
Hi my male cat is about 7 years old and today I saw he got a round red area on his stomach and he seems to be sleeping more then he does and he keeps cleaning it alot and he is not eating alot
Sam, I would take him into the vet to get looked at...Is the red area a lump? Or is it from your cat licking himself/herself raw? My cat did that in the past because she was in pain. There is probably something wrong with your cat internally. Mine had some intestine issues, but she licked a patch on her paw raw.
One of my cats has been sleeping a lot more then usually which is not normal for him what should I do to help him
My cat is sleeping since last night what is going on.
Helga augustin, same
Helga augustin, is he ok
For the past few days my barn cat has been inside sleeping for like three hours straight since yesterday. What’s going with on?