Why Do Cats Sleep so Much?

Have you ever wished you were a cat just so you could sleep all day? People are usually surprised by how much cats sleep, but it’s probably because they don’t understand why they do it (there are reasons). In today’s article, we’ll tell you why cats sleep so much. You’ll be amazed!

Why do cats sleep so much?

On average, felines sleep about 15 hours a day. However, there are other times of the year when their ‘naps’ can total 2o hours in one day. Of course, we’d love to know why they rest so much.

Firstly, you should know that cats have a more active nightlife than people; they’re most active from dusk to dawn. We don’t see them moving around (or hear them) because we’re sleeping. Therefore, when they’re awake, humans are sleeping and vice versa. Maybe your cat thinks it’s weird that you sleep all night!

During the daytime hours, cats will look for any place, whether it’s the bed or the sofa, to rest and go unnoticed. They charge their batteries so that they can go out at night (even if it’s just to snoop around the room). When everyone goes to sleep, predators and insects come out, and that’s when cats are most alert.

Cats rest to conserve their energy

It’s a proven fact that newborn cats and older cats sleep more than others. Newborns have to rest more because they have to continue to develop outside of the womb. The elderly need more rest because they don’t have enough energy to spend too many hours awake.

However, you also have to remember that cats between 1 and 6 years old also need a battery recharge, which is why they will also sleep during the day.

Cats are related to lions, cougars and leopards. They’re hunters by nature and chase their prey at night, since that’s when the prey goes out. Cats have similar patterns: sleep during the day and search for food at night.

Although they have been domesticated, they still maintain these wild and instinctive characteristics (which also show themselves when they’re playing).

Hunting prey requires a lot of energy. Even though the cat will eat the cat food or tuna the owner gives him, his body will still want to look for food! Therefore, the hours that he spends sleeping are his way of saving up the energy he’ll need to stalk, climb, jump, etc. 

Have you ever noticed that your cat sleeps more when it rains? Weather is a determining factor in the number of hours your pet sleeps. The same happens on cold days. That kind of makes us similar to felines, then, right?

Cats rest a lot even though they don’t need to

Another issue to keep in mind is the fact that cats don’t need to go for walks, as dogs do. They have everything they need right inside the home: food, water, a bed and their “bathroom”. They don’t have to do very much to meet their basic needs.

However, that’s also why they get bored easily and, instead of doing nothing, they sleep! The other option would be to tear up our clothes and shoes, constantly ask us to play with them or pet them, fight with other animals or scratch the furniture. Wouldn’t you rather they be resting?!