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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.

 

 

Contributions

26 comments on “10 Reasons Why Your Cat is Sleeping a Lot More Than Usual”

H

June 06, 2020 at 08:03

Helga augustin says:

My cat is sleeping since last night what is going on.

n

June 17, 2020 at 09:12

nuke says:

Helga augustin, same

P

June 06, 2021 at 09:02

Peter pony says:

Helga augustin, is he ok

M

March 22, 2022 at 08:39

Matilda says:

For the past few days my barn cat has been inside sleeping for like three hours straight since yesterday. What’s going with on?

C

June 22, 2020 at 03:31

Candace mansfield says:

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

S

July 16, 2020 at 08:22

Sam says:

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

A

July 13, 2021 at 01:56

Abigail says:

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.

R

August 07, 2020 at 05:06

Review Debbarma says:

My cat sleep all the time

M

August 12, 2020 at 06:02

Marilyn says:

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.

M

March 22, 2022 at 08:42

Matilda says:

Marilyn, that is exactly what has been happening to my cat

A

August 18, 2020 at 11:01

AC says:

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.

S

August 21, 2020 at 10:20

Susie says:

Cows milk will make cats sick.

C

June 26, 2021 at 01:04

Cher says:

Cows Milk is very bad for cats

M

March 22, 2022 at 08:57

Matilda says:

AC, I say you should take him/her to the vet

I

August 26, 2020 at 01:17

In.s says:

My cat she seems sleep a lot. I love my kitty very much.

B

September 03, 2020 at 05:24

Brenda Lane says:

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?

W

June 27, 2022 at 01:20

Whitney says:

Brenda Lane, I bought my cats feliway. It helps stress a lot.

C

September 13, 2020 at 10:50

Charlotte Evans says:

My cat has slept all day and has never done that before what is going on????

D

September 14, 2020 at 11:52

Doris Vivian says:

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. She does play at night at times but not often. She is 6 or 7 and a calico cat.

A

September 20, 2020 at 12:38

Angela Thornton says:

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

K

September 20, 2020 at 11:46

Kim M Stiegman says:

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?

N

September 30, 2020 at 07:45

Natasha says:

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

J

December 09, 2021 at 07:53

Jan says:

Natasha, Don't ever feed cats cow's milk!

D

April 30, 2022 at 05:43

Dana says:

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.

P

November 03, 2020 at 10:21

Pompi Guha says:

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. Now, my other cat is also sleeping very much suddenly today. Is the same thing happening with her also?

S

December 20, 2020 at 06:11

Stella Woods says:

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.

K

January 30, 2021 at 06:30

Khaliah says:

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?

W

June 27, 2022 at 01:19

Whitney says:

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!

D

February 19, 2021 at 12:02

Deirdre says:

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?

P

March 27, 2021 at 01:41

Pretty Kitty says:

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? Thanks

V

April 01, 2021 at 05:41

Veeg says:

Pretty Kitty, when in doubt take her to the vet

B

June 23, 2021 at 09:08

Becca says:

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.

A

July 13, 2021 at 02:01

Abigail says:

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.

A

July 13, 2021 at 01:52

Abigail says:

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!

O

September 07, 2021 at 06:10

Olga Kroeker says:

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

D

January 06, 2022 at 06:18

Donna Rickard says:

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?

d

June 08, 2022 at 05:11

drazil says:

my 3 cats slept 21 hours a day and they are all 4 years old. I don't know what is wrong with them.

T

July 06, 2022 at 03:17

Teresa m brown says:

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

S

July 14, 2022 at 01:27

Sara says:

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

E

February 27, 2023 at 04:51

Estrella Soto says:

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

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