If you have noticed that your cat sleeps a lot more than usual for no particular reason, there can be several causes, here are the main causes that make a cat sleep a lot.
Cat that sleeps a lot: Understanding cat sleep
Everyone knows that cats are great sleepers, spending most of the day dozing and then becoming more active again at night. But sometimes the cat tends to sleep even more hours than usual.
A cat’s normal sleep time is 12 to 16 hours and mostly consists of light sleep.
A considerable change in a cat’s sleeping habits is not a trivial sign, on the contrary: if your cat tends to sleep much more than usual, it is important to try to understand the reason because it may be related to a health problem.
The different causes and their solutions
Here are the main reasons why a cat sleeps too much compared to its needs.
He’s taking a nap
Sometimes we are convinced that our cat sleeps too much, but the explanation is simple: about 75% of the time the cat seems to sleep is actually a phase of superficial sleep, it is above all naps that last a few minutes and usually less than an hour.
Each of them are used by the cat to keep its energy reserve intact. In many cases, therefore, the cat appears to be sleeping but is still alert! This is linked to their natural instinct, because in nature, cats sleep superficially the vast majority of the time to be on the lookout for possible predators and to be able to flee quickly.
He gets bored
Boredom and stress can be very dangerous for a cat’s well-being if the cat is left alone at home for a large part of the day, it is quite normal for it to stay there to sleep even at night. beyond the normal 12/16 hours of daily sleep for felines.
Try to create a stimulating environment for your cat by leaving toys at his disposal and spending time playing with him whenever you can: it only takes a few minutes, to repeat every day.
Feline obesity
An obese cat is a cat that sleeps a lot more than usual: you should always make sure that your cat has a balanced diet and gets the right amount of exercise every day.
Also pay attention to cats that are alone all day with the bowl available because they can eat too much. In this case, it is useful to buy a feeder that controls the portions of cat food.
Cats need to eat regularly and little because their digestive system is neither designed to fast for long periods nor to eat a lot at once.
The age of the cat
With age, a cat’s sleep needs change drastically: kittens sleep up to 20 hours a day, which is reduced to 12/16 hours in an adult cat, but as the cat ages sleep lengthens more and more, up to 18/20 hours a day.
If your cat is getting older, it’s completely normal for him to sleep longer than usual: what you need to watch out for is his behavior when he’s active. Try to play with him and observe him: if he seems tired and lethargic, you must take him immediately to the vet because he is probably hiding a pathology.
Feline depression
Oversleeping is one of the warning signs that can indicate depression in cats, along with loss of appetite, a tendency to avoid physical contact, and other changes in a cat’s usual behavior.
If you notice even one of these signs in addition to increased hours of sleep, it’s worth taking your cat to the vet who can check to see if the depression is in turn caused by an illness. typical feline.
Weather
Believe it or not, cats can be jaded by the weather too! The climate is one of the causes why the cat tends to sleep more than usual: during the winter months and during gray and rainy periods, when the hours of light are lower than the rest of the winter. year, the cat will tend to sleep longer during the day.
Conversely, he will take advantage of the summer to spend a lot of time awake, especially if he has access to the outside, he can even be there at night.
He has an infection
Certain types of viral or bacterial infections that often affect cats can cause fatigue, lethargy, and increased hours of sleep in sick cats.
These infections include:
– Common virus in cats: feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia, feline herpes, distemper and feline calcivirus .
– Common bacteria in cats: feline salmonella, streptococci, leptospirosis, helicobacter.
Other symptoms should also not be underestimated: loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea in cats, runny eyes and nose, weight loss, fever and lack of interest in normal grooming.
An infection should always lead to the vet.
Feline arthritis
Cats often suffer from arthritis, a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects older cats. This pathology causes pain and inflammation, making movement difficult and often painful: this is why the cat prefers to remain still and rest comfortably.
Diabetes
Diabetes is very common in cats and is manifested by certain symptoms including lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite in cats, vomiting and dehydration.
If the cat shows even some of these symptoms, contact the veterinarian who will do blood tests to make the diagnosis: feline diabetes can be controlled with a strict diet.
Poisoning
Certain plants and substances normally present in our homes are indeed toxic and dangerous if ingested by the cat: if the cat sleeps much more than usual, it could have inhaled or swallowed something that hurts or even poisons it.
If you also notice other symptoms of cat poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, pale gums, or blood in your cat’s feces, it is essential to take him to the doctor immediately. veterinary.
It must also be kept away from any chemical product or any plant containing it to prevent its condition from worsening even more.
He hunts at night
In this case, there is no problem, your cat sleeps a lot because he spends the night outside hunting and must recover by sleeping during the day. Check for signs of weakness just in case.
Outdoor cats often tend to sleep during the day when it is very hot and take advantage of the night to go hunting, because the temperature there is excellent. This nocturnal hunt will cause him to exert himself and give him the need to digest, which will encourage him to go to sleep during the day.
The sleeping position can give you an indication
The cat’s sleeping position can tell you if your cat’s sleep is normal, for example, if your cat is sleeping on its back, it is probably fine, it may be a little warm, but this position is an omen in general very good for the physical and mental health of the cat.
If your cat sleeps on its stomach with its legs curled up, unless it’s cold, it’s a sign that it may be sick and something is wrong.
Signs that a cat’s sleep is abnormal
If your cat sleeps a lot and eats little, he is probably sick and going to see the vet is essential if nothing changes quickly. In the meantime, try to feed him by making his food easy to eat and appetizing, with salmon oil for example.
If he is no longer playing also be careful because it is a sign that he is weak, you can try to encourage him to play, but if he snubs you, then it is proof that he is in a bad state. of weakness.
Finally, if your cat purrs when he sleeps, it is probably to hide the pain, the purring of the cat being used to him to express many things.
Cat that sleeps a lot: The final word
If your cat sleeps a lot, the first thing to do is to check if it seems normal. But in case of symptoms or chronic lethargy, it will either be necessary to stimulate it more or take it to the veterinarian in case of pathology.