When it
comes to cats, there's no saying what to expect! If you are a first-time feline
parent, you are in for an adventurous ride discovering all their cute antics
and shenanigans.
From licking your face to literally fitting into any small
space, many such activities will make you go crazy. One similar issue you might
encounter is your pet sleeping with its eyes open.
Initially,
it might cause a great deal of worry about your cat’s health. However, you will
be glad to know this is a common phenomenon. Continue reading to learn more on
the topic.
Can Cats Sleep with Their Eyes Open?
Seeing
these cute little creatures behave strangely should no longer be a surprise.
But one aspect that can worry every cat parent is their sleeping pattern. After
all, is it even possible for your pet to sleep with its eyes open?
The answer
to this question is YES. Your little
feline buddy is perfectly capable of sleeping with partial shutters open for
the rest of the world. Remember, they are instinctively hardwired to be hunters
and have different genetic traits than most pets. Cats rest in multiple phases,
and during the slow-wave sleep, you will often find their eyes open.
Why do Cats Sleep with Their Eyes Open?
Once you
have confirmed that cats indeed have varying sleeping habits, you might want to
know why it is actually happening. Is it due to a change of environment or some past trauma preventing them from
resting easily?
Considering
that each kitty is different and can behave strangely for several reasons,
there is no fixed answer to this question. For exact information, it is always
better to get in touch with the veterinarian and get a professional opinion for
the same.
However,
the below-listed pointers are some of the common reasons you might want to
note.
Your Cat Might Not Be Asleep
Genetically
speaking, cats have evolved into lazy creatures over time. This is because
staying lethargic helps them save more energy, survive on less food, and
conserve all efforts for the hunting process.
Due to
this specific reason, you will often find that your cat is not ready to move or
play around like a regular pet. Since felines usually sleep for about 15 hours
on average, this
behavior is normal.
Therefore, one possibility for your cat appearing asleep with eyes open might mean that it is actually awake. As such, you might be fretting for no reason at all.
Sleep Cycle
Much like
humans, you will find that cats also have a fixed sleep cycle with different
phases. In such cases, you might notice the feline sleeping with one or both
eyes open. It predominantly happens during Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS), when their
senses are still active and responsive to the environment.
Fewer cats
also appear to be asleep with eyes open during Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (REM).
In this situation, the pet loses muscle function and is most likely dreaming.
Due to twitching in the eyes or ears, you might also think that the cat is
asleep at a quick look.
Noisy Environment
No one
likes to rest easily when there's plenty of chaos around. Cats are no different
and feel uncomfortable sleeping in a noisy environment. Even though most
domesticated felines don't worry about environmental dangers, it is still a
crucial factor governing their sleeping behavior.
Additionally,
cats have exceptional hearing and can catch sounds much more easily than you
think. In fact, exposing your pet to constant hearing over 95 decibels can likely result in hearing damage.
Therefore, cats tend to cram away from many people and hide in a corner to get
the much-needed rest with eyes open for safety.
Injury
There's no
denying the fact that cats can be brutal and quite violent. You probably have a
lot of arm scratches to confirm this behavior. So when they step out of the
house and find another pet in the same area, they can act quite territorial.
The scuffle might leave them with an injury, thus causing pain while closing
their eyes.
The
nictitating membrane is a third layer present beneath both eyelids of the cat.
The cat might face significant trouble and require surgery when it gets
wounded. Some common symptoms you should look out for are inflammation,
cloudiness, redness, etc.
Natural Instincts
If you
read more about the cat ancestry in detail, you will find that they used to be
wild creatures who had to preserve energy for sprinting. As such, the hunting
nature influences their overall behavior till the date and gives them the
signal to sleep with their eyes partially open.
Also, cats
like to be aware of their surroundings and all the instances happening around
them. They keep the eye shutters open to stay vigilant and watch out for their
owner or kittens. Doing so will help them properly check the environment and
keep their survival instincts intact.
Should You Be Worried About Cats When They Sleep with Their Eyes Open?
For most
people, the answer to this question should be a big no! Cats often sleep with
their eyes open, which is part of their anatomy. However, if you notice
different symptoms like fever, seizures, twitching, or eye trauma, you might
want to book a vet appointment soon.
A
professional will be able better to guide you about the cat's present medical
condition and advise accordingly. In most cases, they might write up some eye
doses for extra dryness around the lids. Regardless of the outcome, cat parents
must remember that a cat sleeping with its eyes open is no big deal.
What Can You Do to Make Your Cat Sleep Peacefully?
Is your
feline creature regularly sleeping with its eyes open? If so, it is
understandable to be spooked out or worried about their overall health.
However, in such situations, you can simply follow the below-mentioned steps
instead of stressing too much. After all, sleeping well is bound to improve
their overall health.
Ensure Enough Playtime
Cats might
seem small and dainty but remember, these creatures have a lot of energy in
their body. Young felines are more playful and need to calm down from all the
hyperactiveness. As such, play with your cat for at least 15 minutes twice
daily. Getting tired will help them sleep like a baby.
Feed a Healthy Diet
Like
humans, cats also need a healthy diet with proper nutrition to stay fit. When
you give them proper meals throughout the day, their body will function much
better. As a result, the chances of falling asleep peacefully increase
drastically. Remember, felines are carnivorous and need a significant portion
of animal-based protein in their diet.
Keep a Consistent Sleep Cycle
Sticking
to a fixed sleeping schedule from the start can help make things a lot easier.
Considering that felines sleep a lot, always try to get them to nap after each
playful session. Once you train the cat, you will realize that they tend to be
very organized and sleep on time.
Feed at Night
Felines
sleep well once they have had a proper meal and feel content. If you end up
feeding them during the evening hours, they will probably wake up in the middle
of the night due to hunger. To avoid any sleep pattern distractions, you must
always ensure they've had food before dozing off.
Conclusion
James
Herriot, a British veterinary surgeon, once rightly said, "Cats are
connoisseurs of comfort." You must have noticed this trait if you have
recently brought a feline pet home. However, seeing them sleep with their eyes
open can freak anyone out.
If you're
facing a similar situation, it is crucial to note that this is a common trait
and nothing to worry about. Cats tend to sleep a lot with shutters open to stay vigilant of
their surroundings due to the inherent hunting behavior.
To ensure
better sleep for your pet, you can ensure to feed them healthy meals,
especially at night.
