If your cat seems to sleep through most of the day, congratulations: you have a perfectly normal cat. Adult cats sleep twelve to sixteen hours, kittens and seniors even more.
Built for short bursts
Cats are ambush hunters. Their bodies are designed for brief, explosive effort followed by long recovery. Even indoor cats keep that rhythm, with peaks of activity at dawn and dusk.
Signs it’s more than a nap
Sleep alone is rarely the problem. Watch for changes:
- hiding in unusual places or avoiding the family
- sleeping in a hunched “loaf” with eyes half open
- eating or drinking noticeably less — or more
- grooming much less, or over-grooming one spot
Any of these for more than a day is worth a call.
Make rest easy
Offer warm, raised spots with a view, keep litter boxes away from food and water, and play for ten minutes before dinner. A cat that has “hunted” sleeps better — and so do you.
Dr. Lucas Ferreira
Dr. Rafael Moreno